Performance Review: TVR Cerbera 4.5 - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

TVR Cerbera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the TVR Cerbera 4.5 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular TVR Cerbera has a 4475cc 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 1100 kgs (2425 lbs) this makes the TVR Cerbera 4.5 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The TVR Cerbera shares the same bhp with the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp)

In terms of power the 4475cc 32V V8 engine produces 420 bhp (313 kW) @ 6750 rpm similar to the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (395 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 380 lb-ft (515.2 Nm) @ 5500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 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 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 6.2 V8 C7 (406.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the TVR Cerbera.

The TVR Cerbera has a Power to weight ratio of 381.8 bhp per ton and 345.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Cerbera competing with the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 6.2 V8 C7 (406.7 bhp per ton) or the 2015 McLaren 540C 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (406.5 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 345.4 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 2004 Noble M400 3.0 V6 (367.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Mercedes CLK GTR 6.9 V12 (367.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.0 secs, this made the TVR Cerbera 4.5 as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs). This TVR Cerbera 4.5 is also faster than 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 and the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Cerbera and the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch

When talking about the performance of the TVR Cerbera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.33 secs @ 120.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI 330S - Hatch (11.28 secs), the 2017 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo (11.28 secs), and the 1994 Subaru Impreza WRX Type RA - Classic JDM (11.29 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the TVR Cerbera 4.5 has a maximum speed of 195mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Cerbera equals the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 TVR Cerbera 4.5 then how about the 2023 McLaren 750S 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 mph), the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 mph), or the 2019 Audi R8 5.2 V10 Decennium (206 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Cerbera Rivals List.

A Brief History of TVR

Car Comparison