TVR Cerbera 1996–2003 car dimensions: 4280 mm long, 1865 mm wide and 1220 mm high. Unladen weight is 1,100 kg. Boot space with the seats up is 390 litres.
The cabin has a distinctive driver-focused layout with the main instruments in a binnacle ahead of the driver and secondary gauges plus a vent under the steering column. Controls for wipers, washers, horn and lights sit as buttons on the two-spoke wheel, with only a right-hand indicator stalk. Leather seats with lumbar support are standard, the passenger seat slides further forward than the driver's for a 3+1 layout that gives usable rear space mainly for a child, and a CD radio is fitted. Air conditioning was a factory option. There are no electronic driver aids, airbags or ABS.
Boot space is 390 litres, enough for touring bags or a couple of golf clubs. The small rear seats work best as extra luggage room.
The cabin has a dramatic swooping full-leather dashboard with instruments placed right in front of the driver and extra gauges plus a face-level air vent under the two-spoke steering wheel. Controls for lights, wipers, washers and horn sit on the wheel spokes. Supportive sports bucket seats include manual lumbar adjustment and leather trim. The 2+2 layout works more like 3+1 because the front passenger seat slides further forward than the driver's to free rear legroom. Long doors ease rear access. Air conditioning is available. The Speed Six version softens the suspension and uses higher-profile tyres for a more comfortable grand-touring ride with less road noise.
Petrol only. combined consumption listed as 13-15 l/100 km or 13-26 mpg depending on engine and driving.
Valve clearances need checking and adjustment every 12,000 miles on Speed Six engines and every 24,000 miles on V8s. oil and filter changes recommended more frequently.
No Euro NCAP or other published crash-test star rating.
Standard safety kit is limited to seat belts, an integrated roll cage and an immobiliser. alarm optional.
No ABS, no airbags and no traction or stability control on any model.
The Cerbera runs exclusively on petrol. Published combined figures sit in the 13-15 l/100 km range, though real-world use varies widely with the high-revving engines and driving style. Super-unleaded is preferred on higher-output maps.
Servicing demands specialist knowledge. Oil and filter changes come at short intervals. Valve clearances must be reset on schedule or burned seats and costly rebuilds follow. Clutches typically last around 25,000 miles. Diff oil changes, though not always listed officially, help longevity. Annual inspections catch chassis corrosion and fluid leaks.
Safety equipment is deliberately basic. There are no airbags, no ABS and no electronic stability aids. The car relies on driver skill, long-travel throttle, sharp steering and the hidden integrated roll cage. Brakes are large ventilated discs with AP Racing calipers. An immobiliser is standard and an alarm can be specified.
Living with a Cerbera means accepting higher running costs and the need for careful maintenance. Chassis outriggers and mounts need regular rust checks. Electrics, door mechanisms and cooling systems can prove troublesome if neglected. A well-documented service history from a known TVR specialist is essential for reliability.
Length 4280 mm, Width 1865 mm, Height 1220 mm, Wheelbase 2566 mm (Cerbera 1996–2003)
Sources: manufacturer data, Wikipedia/TVR Car Club, autoevolution/Classic & Sports Car.