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TVR Sagaris 4.0

Test date Monday, September 25, 2006  Price as tested  £58,750

What’s new?

We reckon the Sagaris represents TVR’s finest hour. It may look like some comic-strip fantasy, but underneath it’s the most thoroughly resolved car to leave the Blackpool gates: unfazed by midcorner bumps, with more compliant steering and monster brakes.

For 2007, there’s a fettled version with increased attention to detail and subtle design tweaks to ease the frustrations of our last meeting. There is improved leather and some proper carpet, as distinct from the Alders offcuts used before. Also welcome are more supportive race seats (designed in partnership with Sparco) and a new pedal design that solves our safety and comfort concerns.

Outside, rear-facing exhausts replace the original side exit design (to reduce motorway boom and comply with international regulations), there’s a conventional one-piece bonnet, a third-brake light and striking new alloys, wrapped with thinner front tyres to tame the nervous front-end.

What’s it like?

We spent a day and 300 miles with the new Sagaris and, yes, it still smells of resin. And, yes, the fuel filler still blew back. But everything else worked fine, including the electric windows, which for the first time in my TVR career moved consistently, and with a sound and speed to reassure they’d continue working beyond the next 24 hours.

And it continued to do what TVRs do best; going like absolute stink, giving a new meaning to ‘engaging’ and going sideways for Britain.

Should I buy one?

On this evidence, TVR is making the steps needed to take the company forward, listening to feedback and working to provide the solutions. It’ll be a tough journey, but they’ve got the right attitude and that’s what counts.

Jamie Corstorphine