The Triumph TR2 roadster is back in the form of an electric-powered concept EV.
London-based automotive design house Makkina has revealed a new concept called the Triumph TR25 – a modern interpretation of the old 'Jabbeke' Triumph TR2. The latter set a land speed record for production cars with an engine displacement under 2.0 liters in 1953, but the new one doesn't have any displacement at all because it's built on the underpinnings of a BMW i3s.
Using a BMW as the base is perhaps serendipitous, as BMW stills owns the rights to the Triumph name, the last remnants of the Rover Group that BMW took control of in 1994. While the Germans relaunched Mini and offloaded MG, Rover, and Land Rover, they kept the Triumph name but haven't yet used it for anything. Despite this, BMW gave Makkina its blessing to use the name on this TR25 concept.
Makkina chose this year, 100 years since Triumph's first production car and 70 years since the aforementioned record was set, to launch the car in London – not at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. And in case you were wondering, the 25 in its name refers to Makkina's 25th anniversary.
The single-seater speedster retains the classic proportions of the original TR2 – classic proportions of the era that also inspired modern sports cars like the Mazda MX-5.
Using the i3s's electric motor, we know the Triumph TR25 concept produces 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque sent to the rear wheels. In the BMW, these outputs yield a 6.8-second 0-60 mph time and a top speed of only 99 mph, some way short of the 124.889 mph set by the 'Jabbeke' TR2 (known by its registration MVC575) at the Jabbeke speed trials in Northern Belgium in 1953. Thankfully, the TR25 has a quicker 5.2-second 0-60 mph time and a 115 mph top speed, plus a longer electric range of 190 miles owing to a curb weight that's 430 lbs lighter than the i3 on which it's based (2,414 lbs).
The exterior design of the Triumph TR25 is minimalistic but bears a resemblance to the original, particularly with the LED light clusters as a callback to the original's frog-eye style headlamps. One vast difference, however, is the upward-opening scissor doors. 21-inch alloy wheels are shod in Pirelli P Zero rubber measuring 255/35, with the larger wheels housing bigger 300mm brake discs.
Overall, the concept also appears rather similar to the Mini Vision Superleggera from 2014, giving us hope that BMW might be able to repurpose that concept to revive the Triumph name. Makkina even reimagined the classic Triumph logo.
Inside, the minimalist theme continues with an Alcantara-clad steering wheel devoid of all buttons. The instrumentation display is a self-centering dial showing power output and speed, but that's about all there is in there. An optional fold-out jump seat lets you bring a passenger along for the ride.
“Our aim was to update the true character of the original record-breaking 'Jabbeke' TR2 with our design, through both interior and exterior design,” says Makkina's director, Michael Ani. “Using the BMW i3s platform allows us to create a blend of old and new with the TR2-inspired body shape and the versatile and adaptable powertrain, creating a seamless, fully electric experience.”
He was full of praise for BMW, too. “We're proud of the way we have revitalized the Triumph [Motor Company] name and thank our friends BMW Group for allowing us the honor to badge a car that not only celebrates our company's [Makkina's] 25th anniversary but also 70 years of the 'Jabbeke' TR2 record run and 100 years of this iconic marque [Triumph Motor Company].”
Keyword: Triumph TR2 Revived As Crazy BMW i3-Based Single-Seat Speedster