Performance Review: TVR Chimaera 4.0 - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

TVR Chimaera Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the TVR Chimaera 4.0 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular TVR Chimaera has a 3950cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

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

The Chimaera 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 Chimaera's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet 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 1060 kgs (2336 lbs) this makes the TVR Chimaera 4.0 in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The TVR Chimaera shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3950cc 16V V8 engine produces 235 bhp (175 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 260 lb-ft (352.5 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 340 (246.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the TVR Chimaera.

The TVR Chimaera has a Power to weight ratio of 221.6 bhp per ton and 245.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 Chimaera competing with the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 340 (246.4 bhp per ton) or the 1979 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 5.8 V8 (246.4 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 Chimaera generating around 245.2 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 1969 Ford Torino 1st Gen Cobra Hardtop Ram Air (270.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (269.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.7 secs, this made the TVR Chimaera 4.0 as fast as the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost (5.50 secs) the 2017 Honda Civic Type R 2.0i 16v Turbo - FK8 (5.50 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon SC Cupra 300 (5.50 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon Cupra 300 DSG (5.50 secs). This TVR Chimaera 4.0 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the and the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Chimaera and the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto

When talking about the performance of the TVR Chimaera on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.59 secs @ 100.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Toyota Supra 3.0 Turbo Auto (13.53 secs), the 2016 BMW Z4 sDrive35is (13.53 secs), and the 2022 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo ALL4 (13.53 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the TVR Chimaera 4.0 has a maximum speed of 152mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 Chimaera equals the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1992 TVR Chimaera 4.0 then how about the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0 V8 (163 mph), the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (163 mph), or the 1996 Lotus Esprit 2.0 Turbo GT3 (163 mph).

Related Links:

1992 Chimaera Rivals List.

A Brief History of TVR

Car Comparison