Triumph TR8
| Triumph TR8 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Triumph Motor Company |
| Production | 1978–1981 |
| Assembly |
Speke, Merseyside, England Coventry, West Midlands, England Solihull, West Midlands, England |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door convertible coupe |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Triumph TR7 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3,528 cc (3.5 l) V8 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,160 mm (85.0 in) |
| Length | 4,067 mm (160.1 in) |
| Width | 1,681 mm (66.2 in) |
| Height | 1,267 mm (49.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,203.9 kg (2,654 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Triumph TR7 |
The Triumph TR8 is an eight-cylinder version of the "wedge-shaped" Triumph TR7 sports car, designed by Harris Mann, and manufactured by British Leyland (BL), through its Jaguar/Rover/Triumph (JRT) division. Because of its outstanding performance, the TR8 was often dubbed the "English Corvette". The majority of TR8s were sold in the United States and Canada.
A more powerful V8-engined version of the TR7 was planned in the early stages of the TR7's development, a prototype being produced in 1972. However, British Leyland's financial state, labour problems and lack of engines---as MG and Range Rover had first priority---delayed the project. By 1978 some 145 prototype cars were built with V8 engines (and usually automatic transmissions). These "anonymous" TR8s (no identifying badges, and all coupes) were evaluated for British Leyland by various dealers and then sold off as used cars.
The TR8 did not use Triumph's own single overhead cam V8 as found in the Stag due to its weight and service record but instead shared its Rover V8 engine with the Rover SD1. The engine itself was derived from an early 1960s Buick/Oldsmobile all-aluminum V8 215 cu in (3.52 L) that Rover acquired from General Motors in the mid-60s.
History has shown this engine to be an extremely reliable, flexible, and robust powerplant, especially after BL developed a better manufacturing process. TR8s were initially fitted with twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors. However, about 400 1980 models sold in California, all 1981 models---of which only 352 were produced including twenty carbed cars for the UK market---and all 1982 models (of which all seventy went to Canada) featured a Bosch L-jetronic fuel injection system with a specially designed Lucas fuel injection computer (ECU). The carburetor model was rated at 133 bhp (99 kW; 135 PS) (at around 5000 rpm) and the fuel injected at either 137 or possibly 148 bhp delivering 0–60 mph times in the low 8 seconds. Other differences between the TR8 and TR7 are upgraded brakes, revised axle ratio (3.08:1 on the TR8 and all automatic TR7s), battery moved to the trunk (boot), alloy wheels, leather steering wheel and a few minor trim changes.
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Wikipedia