The Last Cerbera. (Source: TVR Website. 2006.)

The now legendary TVR Cerbera became an instant hit with both old and new TVR fans alike when it first broke cover in 1994, and continued to be a phenomenal success throughout its decade-long lifespan, which ended officially in 2004.

Launched at the British International Motor Show, as it is now known, its original power unit was TVR's very own 4.2 litre AJPV8, developed in conjunction with engine oracle Al Melling. It was capable of some 360 bhp and of accelerating the Cerbera to 60 mph from standing in a little over four seconds.

This was TVR's first proprietary engine, having previously installed bought-in units from the likes of Rover. The AJPV8 was a normally aspirated, 75 degree V8 with a flat-plane crank, and remained TVR's flagship engine until the discontinuation of the Cerbera, with which the engine also ceased production.

The original concept car caused quite a stir at the time, and the company's order book soon became full. It had the looks and performance of cars more than twice its price, and the exclusivity of very few models of any price. But it was almost two years later, after further production refinements, that the first Cerbera left the factory.

Another two years later in 1998, the original Cerbera was joined by the awesome 4.5 litre AJPV8, boosting the Cerbera's power to a frightening 420 bhp and its performance figures to 60 mph from standing in under four seconds and to 100 mph in just 8.3 seconds. It was the Cerbera 4.5 that won the car its reputation as a supercar-slayer and really shook the motoring establishment.

The following year, the 4.0 litre straight six-powered Cerbera Speed Six also joined its brethren. Sporting the first ever version of TVR's own Speed Six engine, it offered a more gentlemanly road-going ride, with a smoother gearing and chassis set-up to go with the reduced power output of 350 bhp.

The Speed Six has gone on to be installed in all of the current TVR range, albeit a much more refined and sophisticated engine today. Despite the success and longevity of the Speed Six, however, it is the AJPV8 that remains the hallmark of the Cerbera because it was installed in no other road-going car.

The now famous 2+2 Cerbera design was a relatively new concept at the time of the car's launch, and it opened up a new market of sports car fans with the need for extra, small rear seats. It remains TVR's only 2+2 in recent times and proved hugely successful, especially with TVR fans that had gone on to have young families.

In 2000 the Cerbera underwent a facelift, with a modified headlamp arrangement, a slightly reworked interior and a lightweight version of the 4.5 litre derivative. This helped bolster sales again and the Cerbera went on to enjoy another four successful years before it was discontinued in 2004.

The Cerbera has become not only one of TVR's iconic cars, but one of the British sports car industry's. It represents everything that's important about British sports car heritage: classic lines that disguise Earth-shaking power and performance.

Perhaps that formula is why those who try the Cerbera never forget it. Its name is aptly derived from the Greek legend of Cerberus, the three-headed beast that guarded the entrance to Hades; if it's true that the fearsome Cerbera frightened some away from the marque, it's also true that it kept those in who ever dared enter.

The TVR Cerbera is a car with a dual role: on the one hand it's an extremely competent 2+2 grand tourer that can be used on any journey, through towns or across countries; on the other hand, it boasts the break-neck performance for which it's both famous and feared.

Since the Cerbera broke cover in 1994, it has become an iconic British sports car, its suave shape standing the test of time to become a true classic. One would never guess the ferocious power that lurks beneath the Cerbera's gentlemanly exterior.

Underneath its elegant fixed-head coupe styling, it has a built-in roll cage that combines with high-impact absorbing composite bodywork to form an extremely safe car. TVR's own 4.5 litre AJPV8 rockets the lightweight Cerbera from naught to 60 mph in under four seconds, and is one of the most revered sports car engines. Its rigid chassis and carefully balanced geometry give the car surprising poise considering its monstrous power.

Production of the Cerbera was discontinued officially in 2004. But this Cerbera, the last that will ever be made, was commissioned and specified personally by TVR's owner and chairman, Nikolai Smolenski, bringing the car out of retirement for one last time in TVR's true tradition of producing one-off 'specials', and paying homage to this beautiful but brutish bygone British sports car.

Vehicle specification

Engine

Performance

Driveline

Brakes, wheels and tyres

Chassis, suspension and body

Weights, dimensions and capacities