The TVR Griffith, later models being referred to as the Griffith 500, is a sports car designed and built by TVR starting production in 1991 and ending production in 2002. The Griffith name appeared again on a sports car introduced under a revived TVR brand in 2017.
Like its forerunner namesakes, the Griffith 200 and Griffith 400, the modern Griffith was a lightweight fiberglass-bodied, 2-door, 2-seat sports car with a V8 engine. Originally, it used a 4.0 L Rover V8 engine, but that could be optionally increased to 4.3 L in 1992 with a further option of big-valve cylinder heads. In 1993, with a TVR-developed 5.0 L version of the Rover V8 became available. All versions of the Griffith use the Lucas Industries14CUXengine management system. All models use a five-speed manual transmission from Rover and TREMEC. Although the Griffith was almost mechanically identical to its sister car, the Chimaera, it had a different body design and was produced in much smaller numbers. The Griffith was a lightweight, high-power, and well-balanced car. A low-cost speed six Griffith proposal never became a production reality; by the time it was launched alongside the Griffith in 1999, it had morphed into the Tuscan Speed Six. A special edition Griffith 500 was made dubbed the Blackpool B340. This car was featured in Gran Turismo, Gran Turismo 2 and Driving Emotion Type-S. The car was similar to a normal Griffith 500 with some bespoke options available. In 2000, TVR announced that the Griffith production was going to end. A limited edition run of 100 Special Edition cars were to be built to mark the end of production. Although still very similar to the previous Griffith 500 model, the SE had a hybrid interior using the Chimaera dashboard and Cerbera seats. Noticeably, the rear lights were different along with different door mirrors, higher powered headlights and clear indicator lenses. Some also came with 16-inch wheels. Each car came with a numbered plaque in the glove box including the build number and a Special Edition Badge on its boot. All cars also had a unique signature in the boot under the carpet. The SEs were built between 2000 and 2002, with the last registered in 2003. Every year, to celebrate the TVR Griffith, their owners have a meet called "The Griff Growl." In 2008, Al MellingSports Cars unveiled the Melling Wildcat, a roadster heavily based on the Griffith but powered by a variant of TVR's later AJP8 engine.
On 8 September 2017, to coincide with the marque's 70th anniversary year at the Goodwood Revival, a new Griffith was revealed under the now resurrected TVR marque, featuring design work by Gordon Murray. It features a Cosworth modified Ford Coyote 5.0-litre V8 engine producing, double wishbone suspension with adjustable coilover dampers, a carbon fibreground effect chassis.. It can accelerate from 0 to in approximately 4 seconds and can achieve a top speed in excess of. The new Griffith retains the manual transmission as used in the previous TVR models making it a proper driver's car but includes ABS, power steering and traction control as standard in order to handle the high power output and keep the car stable at high speeds. The extensive use of carbon fibre helps save weight and as a result, it weighs less than with a 50:50 weight distribution achieved through the Griffith's architecture of aluminum and carbon fibre components which improves handling. Design elements such as large front air intakes, front splitter and rear integrated diffuser help in increasing aero dynamics while the double side exhausts and a double bubble roof add to the car's purposeful look. Inside the car, a driver-focused setup is kept in mind with a digital instrument cluster providing useful information and minimum controls present on the steering wheel and dashboard. Air conditioning, leather interior trim and multimedia system come as standard as well. The Griffith was expected to start production in 2019 with an initial run of 500 Launch Edition cars and a price tag of ₤89,995. The launch date is now early to mid-2020 due to European Union regulations. As the Welsh government owns 3% of TVR, it is required to solicit bids for the factory renovations across all the EU, which has delayed commencement of production.
