F1 design legend Gordon Murray involved in latest TVR project

TVR, which was purchased by a group led by gaming entrepreneur Les Edgar in 2013, has firmed up its plans to return to the marketplace with two new models.

It has exclusively revealed to AUTOSPORT sister publication Autocar that Gordon Murray Design is leading development of the cars, that they will be powered by V8 Cosworth engines and that sales are due to start in 2017.

TVR bosses have yet to go public on any firm racing places, but Edgar revealed to AUTOSPORT earlier this year that a return to the tracks was an essential component of the company's relaunch.

"Le Mans has to be a sensible target, because we want to prove the reliability of our cars," he said.

"We could do a GT3 car, but whatever we do it would be some kind of GT car, because we want people to be able to relate our racing to the TVRs that they can buy for the road."

Edgar stressed at the time that any racing plans would "have to play second fiddle to our road car programme".

The TVRs designed by Murray, whose McLaren F1 GTR won Le Mans in 1995, will be front/mid-engined in configuration and built around a spaceframe chassis with bonded carbon-composite panels.

There will be two distinct models produced around the same chassis and engine, which will each be available as a coupe and a convertible.

Names for the models and prices have yet to be released. TVR is aiming to build between 1000 and 1500 cars a year.