TVR Tasmin: which version to buy
The TVR Tasmin ran as 1 generation from 1980 to 1987 as a Cabrio. There are 3 versions in the catalogue: 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT. The buying choice is not between generations — there is only one — it is between engine size, cylinder count, and gearbox. Weight, 0–100, top speed, mpg, tank, and ground clearance are not measured on every version, so those cannot pick a winner.
The TVR Tasmin ran as 1 generation from 1980 to 1987 as a Cabrio. There are 3 versions in the catalogue: 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT. The buying choice is not between generations — there is only one — it is between engine size, cylinder count, and gearbox. Weight, 0–100, top speed, mpg, tank, and ground clearance are not measured on every version, so those cannot pick a winner.
Which version to choose
2.8 MT is the highest-output manual: 162 hp (119 kW) at 5700 rpm and 220 Nm at 4300 rpm from 2792 cc Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, Manual 4, RWD.
2.0 MT is the smallest engine and the only four-cylinder: 99 hp (73 kW) at 5200 rpm and 152 Nm (rpm not measured) from 1993 cc Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline, 2 valves per cylinder, Manual 5, RWD.
2.8 AT matches 2.8 MT on the engine and differs on the gearbox: 162 hp (119 kW) at 5700 rpm and 220 Nm at 4300 rpm from 2792 cc Gasoline, 6 cylinders, V-shaped, 2 valves per cylinder, Automatic 3, RWD.
Power gap 2.8 MT / 2.8 AT versus 2.0 MT: 162 − 99 = 63 hp (63.6% more). Torque gap: 220 − 152 = 68 Nm (44.7% more). Displacement gap: 2792 − 1993 = 799 cc (40.1% more). Kilowatt gap: 119 − 73 = 46 kW.
Specific output (hp per litre of listed displacement):
- 2.8 MT: 162 / 2.792 ≈ 58.0 hp/L
- 2.8 AT: 162 / 2.792 ≈ 58.0 hp/L
- 2.0 MT: 99 / 1.993 ≈ 49.7 hp/L
The 2.8 engines are not only larger; they make about 8.3 hp/L more than 2.0 MT. Torque per litre: 220 / 2.792 ≈ 78.8 Nm/L on both 2.8 versions versus 152 / 1.993 ≈ 76.3 Nm/L on 2.0 MT — a small gap (about 2.5 Nm/L). The extra 799 cc buys a lot more peak power and a modest gain in torque density.
Compression ratio is 9.2 on 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT. That is not a differentiator.
Bore × stroke from the data:
- 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT: 93 × 68.5
- 2.0 MT: 90.8 × 77
The 2.8 pair is oversquare (bore larger than stroke). 2.0 MT is undersquare (stroke 77 versus bore 90.8). Peak power rpm is 5700 on both 2.8 versions and 5200 on 2.0 MT (500 rpm lower).
Gearbox arithmetic:
- 2.8 MT: Manual 4
- 2.0 MT: Manual 5 (1 extra ratio versus 2.8 MT)
- 2.8 AT: Automatic 3 (1 fewer ratio than 2.8 MT, 2 fewer than 2.0 MT)
If the extra money in a real listing is for the 2.8 engine, it buys 63 hp and 68 Nm, same RWD, same Front, transverse layout, same Independent, spring suspension, same Disc brakes front and rear. If the extra money is for 2.8 AT versus 2.8 MT, it does not buy more power: both are 162 hp and 220 Nm. It buys Automatic 3 instead of Manual 4.
2.0 MT is the version to take if the priority is the smaller 1993 cc Inline 4 and the only 5-speed Manual in this list. 2.8 MT is the version to take if the priority is peak 162 hp with a Manual. 2.8 AT is the version to take if the same 162 hp V-shaped 6 is required with Automatic.
Weight per horsepower cannot be calculated: kerb weight is not measured on 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT. Do not treat a lighter-feeling car as proven by these figures.
Generations compared (there is only one)
1 generation (key 5892) is the whole production window: 1980-01-01 to 1987-12-31, body Cabrio, 3 modifications. There is no second generation in the data, so there is no later restyle generation to “wait for” and no earlier generation to avoid. Years, body, and version count do not change across a hidden facelift in this dataset: restyling is not listed as a separate generation.
All three versions share the same start and stop dates: 1980-01-01 to 1987-12-31. You cannot pick a later-year mechanical generation from this table; you pick a version name.
What did not change between versions in 1 generation: Gasoline fuel type label, Front, transverse engine location, RWD, Independent, spring front, Independent, spring rear, Disc front brakes, Disc rear brakes, 2 valves per cylinder, compression 9.2, boost not measured.
What did change: displacement (1993 vs 2792), cylinders (4 Inline vs 6 V-shaped), power (99 vs 162 hp), torque (152 vs 220 Nm), gearbox type (Manual vs Automatic), and gear count (5 / 4 / 3).
Engine specs by version
| Version | hp | Nm | cc | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8 MT | 162 at 5700 rpm (119 kW) | 220 at 4300 rpm | 2792 | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | not measured | Manual 4 | RWD |
| 2.0 MT | 99 at 5200 rpm (73 kW) | 152 (rpm not measured) | 1993 | Gasoline | 4 | Inline | not measured | Manual 5 | RWD |
| 2.8 AT | 162 at 5700 rpm (119 kW) | 220 at 4300 rpm | 2792 | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | not measured | Automatic 3 | RWD |
2.8 MT and 2.8 AT are the same engine row except gearbox. 2.0 MT is a different engine family in this table: 4 Inline versus 6 V-shaped.
Feed system is not measured on all three. Fuel grade is not measured on all three. Do not assume a named injection system from outside this list.
Performance, mpg, and economy
0–100 km/h: not measured for 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT.
Top speed: not measured for 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT.
City / highway / combined consumption: not measured for 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT.
CO2: not measured for all three. Eco class: not measured for all three.
A buyer who wants “the fastest Tasmin” cannot rank 2.8 MT over 2.8 AT on 0–100 from this catalogue. The only ranked performance proxies here are listed power and torque. On those, 2.8 MT and 2.8 AT tie at 162 hp and 220 Nm; 2.0 MT is 63 hp and 68 Nm behind. MPG cannot break the tie: it is not measured.
Dimensions, weight, tank, wheels
Kerb weight: not measured for 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT.
Gross weight: not measured for all three.
Ground clearance: not measured for all three.
Fuel tank: not measured for all three.
Wheel sizes: not measured for all three.
Without kerb weight, power-to-weight is not measured. Without tank size, range is not measured. Chassis labels that are listed and identical: Independent, spring (front and rear) and Disc brakes (front and rear) on 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT. Suspension and brake type therefore do not pick a version.
Problems, reliability, and what the numbers do not tell you
This dataset has no failure rates, no recall counts, and no service-interval figures. Reliability cannot be scored from hp, Nm, or gearbox type. What can be stated:
- All versions are Gasoline.
- Boost is not measured on 2.8 MT, 2.0 MT, and 2.8 AT — no turbo/supercharger label is in the row.
- 2.0 MT is the only Inline 4 at 1993 cc; the other two share the 2792 cc V-shaped 6.
- 2.8 AT is the only Automatic; it has the fewest gears (3).
- 2.0 MT is the only 5-speed Manual.
- 2.8 MT is the 4-speed Manual on the 162 hp engine.
A paragraph that stays true on its own: TVR Tasmin 2.8 MT (1980–1987, Cabrio) is 162 hp, 220 Nm, 2792 cc Gasoline, 6 V-shaped, Manual 4, RWD. TVR Tasmin 2.0 MT is 99 hp, 152 Nm, 1993 cc Gasoline, 4 Inline, Manual 5, RWD. TVR Tasmin 2.8 AT is 162 hp, 220 Nm, 2792 cc Gasoline, 6 V-shaped, Automatic 3, RWD.
Decision in one line
Buy 2.8 MT for the 162 hp Manual; buy 2.8 AT for the same 162 hp with Automatic 3; buy 2.0 MT for the 1993 cc 99 hp Inline 4 and the 5-speed Manual. Do not use 0–100, mpg, or weight to decide: those values are not measured on every version in this catalogue.