Performance Review: TVR Cerbera 4.2 - [1996]

Figures & Specs Summary:

TVR Cerbera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the TVR Cerbera 4.2 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1996. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12.This particular TVR Cerbera has a 4185cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Cerbera shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Cerbera's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1177 kgs (2594 lbs) this makes the TVR Cerbera 4.2 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The TVR Cerbera shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4185cc 32V V8 engine produces 360 bhp (268 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 320 lb-ft (433.8 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the TVR Cerbera you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 982 (330.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the TVR Cerbera.

The TVR Cerbera has a Power to weight ratio of 305.8 bhp per ton and 271.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1996 Cerbera competing with the 2021 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 982 (330.8 bhp per ton) or the 2002 TVR Tamora 3.6 (330.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the TVR Cerbera generating around 271.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2020 Mercedes GT AMG 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (296.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1967 DeTomaso Mangusta 4.7 V8 (296.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the TVR Cerbera 4.2 as fast as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs). This TVR Cerbera 4.2 is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cerbera and the 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8

When talking about the performance of the TVR Cerbera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.18 secs @ 112.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Lotus Evora S IPS 3.5 V8 (12.12 secs), the 2012 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo (12.12 secs), and the 2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI GSR (12.12 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1996 version of the TVR Cerbera 4.2 has a maximum speed of 185mph.

Top Speed of the 1996 Cerbera equals the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (196 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1996 TVR Cerbera 4.2 then how about the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (196 mph), the 2021 Porsche Cayman GT4 RS 4.0 982 (196 mph), or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (196 mph).

Related Links:

1996 Cerbera Rivals List.

A Brief History of TVR

Car Comparison