TVR Cerbera Review: The Bonkers British Supercar You Forgot About

In a world filled with precision-engineered, highly digital, and meticulously refined supercars, the TVR Cerbera is a loud, unpredictable, slightly terrifying breath of fresh air from the not so distant past. If you’ve ever thought to yourself, “I wish my car felt more like a rollercoaster designed by a mad scientist,” then congratulations, you’re TVR’s target audience.

Built in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Cerbera was TVR’s attempt at a grand tourer, except the company forgot about the whole “grand touring” part and focused entirely on sheer, unfiltered insanity. No airbags. No driver aids. No stability control. Just a brutal V8, a lightweight chassis, and the ever-present possibility of ending up in a hedge.

So, what made the TVR Cerbera one of the most ridiculous yet strangely lovable supercars of its time? Let’s look into this one…

Under the Hood: A V8 from Outer Space

TVR could have done the sensible thing and borrowed an engine from an established automaker. Instead, it decided to design its own V8 from scratch—because why not? This wasn’t some detuned BMW or Ford motor. This was a completely bespoke, high-revving, naturally aspirated masterpiece known as the Speed Eight.

Engine & Performance (Depending on Trim):

• 4.2L “Speed Eight” V8 – 360 hp, 320 lb-ft of torque
• 4.5L “Speed Eight” V8 – 420 hp, 380 lb-ft of torque
• 4.5L Red Rose Edition – 440 hp, track-ready lunacy
• Top Speed: 180+ mph
• Weight: Around 2,400 lbs (which is absurdly light)

TVR’s Speed Eight V8 was unlike anything else, revving high and delivering power in a way that felt simultaneously thrilling and slightly unhinged. The Cerbera was never about smooth power delivery, but rather it was about raw aggression and with a side of “Oops, I think I just spun out.”

The 4.5L Red Rose Edition was the most extreme version, pushing 440 hp in a car that weighed less than a Miata. If you had the skills (or the lack of self-preservation), you could absolutely embarrass Ferraris and Porsches of the same era…well assuming you kept it pointing in the right direction!

What Made the Cerbera Special?

TVR didn’t just make the Cerbera fast…it made it completely unhinged in the best way possible.

Things That Made the TVR Cerbera Unique:

• Hand-built British madness – No two cars were exactly the same. If you bought a Cerbera, you were essentially getting a one-of-a-kind death trap.
• No airbags, no ABS, no stability control – The only safety feature was your own talent and luck.
• Weirdest interior ever – The dashboard looked like it was designed by a spaceship enthusiast who had never seen a car before.
• TVR’s “hidden” door handles – Want to get in? Too bad. You had to press a secret button under the mirror.
• A true 2+2 layout – Unlike most “2+2” sports cars, the Cerbera actually had back seats, though they were best suited for people with no legs.

Trims & Special Editions: Which Level of Madness Do You Want?

TVR didn’t do things the traditional way, so the trims were less about luxury and more about how close you wanted to be to the Grim Reaper.

Cerbera Trims & Special Editions:

Cerbera 4.2

• • The “base” model (as if any TVR is normal).
  • 4.2L Speed Eight V8 with 360 hp.
  • A little bit “softer” than the others (but still terrifying).

Cerbera 4.5

• • Upgraded 4.5L V8 with 420 hp.
  • More torque, more speed, more ways to terrify yourself.
  • Firmer suspension, better brakes, still no driver aids.

Cerbera 4.5 Red Rose

• • 440 hp version, built for track lunatics.
  • Sharper suspension, lighter weight, even angrier exhaust.
  • If the regular Cerbera was “mildly unhinged,” this one belonged in an asylum.

Cerbera Speed 12 (Prototype Only)

• • A 7.7L V12 making over 800 hp.
  • TVR built ONE road-legal version before realizing it was too dangerous to sell.
  • Even TVR’s own test drivers were afraid of it.

Competitors: Who Else Was Crazy Enough?

While nothing was quite as unhinged as a TVR, the Cerbera did have some supercar rivals in its day.

Dodge Viper GTS

• • Massive 8.0L V10, 450 hp.
  • Also tried to kill you, but in an American way.
  • Even less refinement, but much more brute force.

Porsche 911 Turbo (996)

• • 400 hp, all-wheel drive.
  • Faster in a straight line, way easier to drive.
  • Had actual safety features.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C5)

• • 385-405 hp LS6 V8, bulletproof reliability.
  • Not as wild-looking, but just as fast.
  • Way cheaper to maintain than a TVR (which isn’t saying much).

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

• • More refined, way less crazy.
  • Still had British charm, but with fewer death threats.
  • More about class than pure insanity.

What Could Be Better?

The Cerbera was amazing, but it had some serious flaws. Some were charming. Others were outright terrifying.

Things That Could Have Been Better:

• Reliability was… questionable. TVR didn’t exactly have a reputation for build quality, and the Cerbera was no exception. Owners spent almost as much time fixing them as driving them.
• Electronics were unpredictable. Many Cerberas refused to start randomly, and electrical gremlins were part of the ownership experience.
• No safety net. No ABS. No traction control. No airbags. If you crashed, your best bet was to just brace for impact and hope you live to see another day.
• Weirdo ergonomics. The dashboard looked cool, but good luck actually figuring out what any button did.

Our Verdict

The TVR Cerbera is a 90s supercar for people who think Ferraris are too sensible. It’s fast, loud, absurdly dangerous, and yet completely charming in a way that modern cars just aren’t.

Would you daily drive one? Probably not. Would you own one if you loved cars and had a high tolerance for chaos? Absolutely.

The Cerbera isn’t just a British car…it’s an experience (and not always a pleasant one)!  If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a barely-legal race car with zero concern for safety, this might be your dream ride.

Would you dare to own a TVR Cerbera, or would you rather play it safe in something a little more predictable? Drop a comment below and let’s argue about it!