Honda-Acura.net - TVR's new Tuscan 2 convertible designed with U.S. sales in mind

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The first fruits of TVR's Russian backing debuted last weekend — the dramatic Tuscan 2 Convertible made an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The drop top has undergone a series of changes since it was first shown as a concept at last year's British Motor Show, including a restyled interior and a new dashboard. British sports carmaker TVR, which was bought last year by Russian entrepreneur Nicolai Smolensky, claims it has designed the interior with ease of conversion to left-hand drive as a key consideration, as the company plans to expand into Europe and America.

The fabric roof design is similar to that of other TVR models, the Griffith and the Chimera, with a removable central panel and soft fold-down rear portion. TVR also says it has set up the suspension geometry for comfort, although it is obviously still sporting. Both the Tuscan and Tuscan S have straight-six engines: 350-hp 3.6-liter and 406-hp 4.0-liter, respectively.

TVR is one of the three companies bidding to buy the MG brand from the ashes of Rover; if it succeeds, it could relocate all TVR production to the MG site in Birmingham.

TVR has never had the budget to bring its grunt 'n grind sports cars to the U.S. — but with serious financial backing, that could change in the future.

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