The TVR Tasmin 280i Sports Car

Later 1986 TVR 280i Series

from Classic to Modern

The TVR Tasmin 280i

The TVR Tasmin 280i Series 1 sports car, launched in 1980, was powered by a Ford 2.8 litre, Cologne V6 engine, which was fitted with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection, and linked to a four speed gearbox.

This engine developed 160 bhp at 5700 rpm, and 162 ft/lbs of torque at 4300 rpm, and produced a top speed of 130 mph, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 secs.

It had a compression ratio of 9.2:1, and used power assisted four wheel disc brakes, with 10.3 inches in the front and 10.4 inches at the rear.

A Ford three speed automatic transmission was available as an optional extra which meant that, in fact, the Tasmin 280i was the first TVR to offer this refinement.

In 1981, the original Series 1 Tasmin 200 and Tasmin 280i were replaced by the Series 2, which brought with it many much needed improvements, including:

An AM/FM stereo radio and cassette player were now standard equipment
Upholstery was now suede velours and ambala
The doors contained ashtrays
electrically operated windows were standard
A vanity mirror was concealed in the sun visor

In 1982, only 121 units of the two Tasmin variants had been built but, by 1985, production had risen to 472 units.

Both the Series 1 Tasmin 200 and Tasmin 280i were discontinued in 1984.

The TVR 280i

That same year, the TVR Tasmin 280i sports car was renamed the TVR 280i, with the Tasmin name now being discarded.

It is worth noting that the top speed of the Series 2 TVR 280i fell from 130 mph to 128 mph.

By 1987, when production of the Tasmin ended, a total of 1367 units of the TVR Tasmin 280i and TVR 280i had been built, and consisted of: 258 of the coupe, 247 of the 2+2, and 862 of the convertible.

When the TVR 280i was discontinued, it was succeeded by the TVR S, which was powered by the same engine, but priced much more attractively.

Technical Data 280i Series 1 280i Series 2 Porsche 911S
Production                 1980-1984 1981-1987 1977
Engine, cc                             2792 2792 2687
Cylinders, bhp                             6, 160 6, 150 6, 235
Top Speed mph 130 128 142
0-60 mph, secs 7.8 8.3 6.1
Standing 1/4 mile secs 15.8 17.0 14.9
Torque ft/lbs 162 162 195

Early TVR 280i Series 2

1980 TVR Tasmin 280i Here it is decked out with all its trophies

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The Tasmin in the US

The Tasmin was first introduced into the US market in 1983, and designated the TVR 280i sports car.

However, the output of its German Ford V6 engine had been reduced from 160 bhp to 145 bhp in order to comply with strict US emission control regulations.

Consequently, the 0-60 mph time increased correspondingly from 7.8 secs to close to 10 secs.

Such performance, and the relatively high selling price, had an adverse effect on sales, most of which were in convertibles.

Since the 2.8 litre Ford Cologne V6 engine had already cleared US emission regulations, the TVR 280i Series 2 was launched onto the US market in 1987.

What's more, they were exported to the US in much smaller numbers than previously, and only throughout 1987.

As a note in history, this model was the last TVR to be exported to the US, with numerous reasons being offered for its withdrawal from this lucrative market.

These included:

Over a period of time, there had been a gradual deterioration in the relationship between TVR and the US agents responsible for the sale and distribution of the cars
There were problems relating to car warranties
Premiums for liability insurance had increased from $160,000 to over $1,000,000