The 'new' TVR Griffith is definitely happening in 2024, maybe

The curious case of the revived TVR just got even more curious. Nine years after the brand was acquired by its current ownership - and getting on for five years since the all-new Griffith was revealed to the world - it’s yet to deliver a single car to a customer. But that hasn’t stopped it announcing a sponsorship deal with electric racing series Formula E. Wait, what?

Let’s take a few steps back. TG has been patiently waiting for the TVR Griffith since before we got a closer look at a prototype back in 2018. Much was promised: a Cosworth tuned 5.0-litre V8, 500bhp, 200mph and use of Gordon Murray’s iStream chassis. Yum. First deliveries were slated for early 2019.

Then it was 2020. Then reports began surfacing of delays with the factory in Ebbw Vale. It still isn’t clear if TVR has moved in. Brexit and the pandemic hasn't helped. What's more, the Welsh Government has skin in the game with a three per cent stake in the company. All a bit odd.

Fast forward to the present day, and TVR has just confirmed that it will be the official sponsor for this weekend’s Monaco E-Prix, as well as the London E-Prix double header in July.

“Our collaboration with the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and on-site activations at the Monaco and London E-Prix not only demonstrate our commitment to revolutionizing the TVR brand, but to EV, and becoming a sustainable, net-zero business,” said TVR chairman Les Edgar. “Our plans to bring TVR EVs to market are well underway, with the first of two models to be released shortly after the release of the newest Griffith and Limited-Edition Griffith EV models in 2024".

So that’s an electric Griffith and two more EVs to come, it seems? Ambitious stuff from a company that still hasn't launched its comeback car yet.

Electrification isn’t a huge surprise: the company signed a deal with lithium producer Ensorcia last year with a view to building electric TVRs in the future.

“To see TVR, an iconic manufacturer of performance sports cars, crossover and make this commitment to electric is a significant milestone and aligned to Formula E’s vision of an electric future,” said Matt Scammell, Formula E’s chief commercial officer. “TVR is a beloved brand and we look forward to working alongside them in Monaco and London to showcase their plans to electrify.”

How do you rate TVR's chances of pulling off this EV reinvention?