Tvr · 1980–1987
TVR Tasmin
The TVR Tasmin (later known as the TVR 280i) is a sports car designed by Oliver Winterbottom (coach) and Ian Jones (chassis) for TVR and built in the United Kingdom by that company from 1980 to 1987. It was the first of TVR's "Wedge"-series which formed the basis of its 1980s model range. The Tasmin/280i was available as a 2-seater coupé, as a 2+2 coupé and as a 2-seater convertible.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: TVR M Series#3000M, Taimar, and 3000S · Successor: TVR 350i
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History
As with all TVRs, the running gear was located in a tubular spaceframe steel chassis, which was powder coated for extra corrosion resistance. Much of the running gear was sourced from Fords of the period. The suspension and steering was sourced from the Ford Cortina, with TVR engineered trailing arms at the rear, similar to designs previously used on Lotus models including the early Esprit. Gearboxes were from the Cortina, Granada, and Sierra. Brakes were discs all round, with the front units from the Granada. The differential (and rear brakes) was from the Jaguar XJ-S. Ancillary components were sourced from a variety of mainstream manufacturers, so it is possible to identify, for example, Ford Cortina external door handles; Triumph TR7 or Austin Metro internal handles; front side/indicator lamps by Lucas with those on later models taken from the Renault 12 and the Peugeot 505; rear lamp clusters from the Ford Capri, Rover SD1 or the Renault Fuego; boot lid hinges from the Hillman Imp and ex-Jaguar ashtrays (or on later cars the ashtray from the DeLorean DMC-12). The radiator was taken variously from the Ford Granada Mk2 and the Range Rover; front brakes could be ex-Granada in solid- or vented-disc form or the 4-piston calipers from the BL Princess (also a 'wedge' shaped car). The steering column and its associated switchgear changed over the years too: starting with the TR7 and proceeding through the Rover SD1, very late cars used the installation from the Ford Granada Mk3. The handbrake mechanism was that used on the Lotus Esprit. The headlamp pods were powered by individual motors lifted from the TR7/ Esprit. The Tasmin also featured a bonded windscreen and incorporated the aerial in the rear screen heater element. The original wheel design was specific to the Tasmin
Specifications
Tasmin 280i Engine: Ford Cologne V6 Engine Capacity: 2792 cc (2.8 L) Power Output: 160 bhp (119 kW; 162 PS) (Series 1), 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS) (series II) Torque Output: 162 lb⋅ft (220 N⋅m) Tasmin 200 Engine: Ford Pinto TL20 straight-four Engine Capacity: 1993 cc (2.0 L) Power Output: 101 bhp (75 kW; 102 PS) Torque Output: 112 lb⋅ft (152 N⋅m) Transmission Tasmin 200, 280i Transmission: 4-spd Ford manual gearbox, 5-spd Ford manual gearbox, 3-spd Ford automatic gearbox Suspension Front: Double Wishbones Rear: Semi trailing arms Brakes Front: Disc brakes Rear: Disc brakes Chassis/Body Chassis: Tubular spaceframe steel chassis Body: Fibreglass body panels Performance Tasmin 280i Acceleration 0-60 mph (97 km/h): 8.0 seconds, 8.2 seconds (automatic gearbox) Top Speed: 130 mph (209 km/h) (Series 1), 128 mph (206 km/h) Weight Weight: 1,074 kg (2,368 lb) Tasmin 200 Acceleration 0-60 mph (97 km/h) : 9.0 seconds Top Speed: 110 mph (177 km/h) Weight Weight: 971 kg (2,141 lb)
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- TVR Tasmin , TVR 280i
- Manufacturer
- TVR
- Production
- Tasmin: 1980–1984 (61 produced) , 280i: 1984–1987 (980 produced)
- Assembly
- United Kingdom: Blackpool, England
- Predecessor
- TVR 3000M/Taimar
- Successor
- TVR 350i
- Class
- Sports car
- Body style
- 2-dr coupé, 2-dr convertible
- Platform
- TVR Wedges
- Layout
- FR layout
- Engine
- 2.0 L Ford Pinto TL20 I4, 2.8 L Ford Cologne V6
- Transmission
- 4/5-spd MT, 3-spd AT
- Designer
- Oliver Winterbottom
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1544366CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVR_TasminCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1373574537 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TVR_Tasmin_(280i).jpgCC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo: Tony Harrison from Farnborough, UK;cropped and plates cleared by uploader Mr.choppers · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.