Once a prominent name in British motorsport and engineering, Tom Walkinshaw Racing—commonly known as TWR—had notable achievements in Formula 1 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, the company ceased operations in 2002, plagued by financial difficulties stemming from its acquisition of the Arrows F1 team six years earlier.
In a recent development, Fergus Walkinshaw, son of the original founder Tom Walkinshaw, is resurrecting the TWR name for a new high-performance automobile brand. The company has unveiled a preliminary image of its inaugural project and promises to reveal additional information in the near future.
Headquartered in Newbury, U.K., the revamped TWR has already put together a robust team of engineers. Their mission is to produce custom-designed vehicles that “set new standards in performance engineering,” according to a company statement. The emphasis will be on the integration of cutting-edge materials with a traditional, analog driving experience, potentially implying that some future models may feature manual transmissions.
Mirroring the collaborative efforts of its predecessor, the new TWR aims to engage in performance-oriented projects with well-established automotive companies. Notable collaborations from the original TWR included work on the early HSV-tuned Holden Commodores, the Aston Martin DB7, and various Jaguar models such as the XJS, XJR-15, and XJ220.
Fergus Walkinshaw stated, “Our technical team is composed of exceptionally skilled individuals from the fields of performance and motorsport engineering, including some who were affiliated with the original TWR. The reinvigorated TWR is, first and foremost, an engineering firm that happens to produce automobiles, as opposed to an automaker dabbling in engineering.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about TWR Revival High-Performance Automotive Line
What is the main focus of the new TWR (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) brand?
The new TWR brand aims to specialize in high-performance automotive engineering. The company plans to produce custom-designed vehicles that set new benchmarks in the field of performance engineering.
Who is leading the revival of the TWR brand?
Fergus Walkinshaw, the son of original TWR founder Tom Walkinshaw, is spearheading the revival of the TWR brand.
What is the location of the new TWR’s headquarters?
The headquarters of the new TWR brand is based in Newbury, U.K.
What is the engineering approach of the new TWR?
The engineering approach of the new TWR focuses on integrating cutting-edge materials with a traditional, analog driving experience. This suggests that some models may still feature manual transmissions.
Will the new TWR collaborate with other car manufacturers?
Yes, similar to its predecessor, the new TWR plans to collaborate with established automotive companies on performance-oriented projects.
What were some notable projects of the original TWR?
The original Tom Walkinshaw Racing was involved in a variety of significant collaborations, including work on the early HSV-tuned Holden Commodores, the Aston Martin DB7, and Jaguar models like the XJS, XJR-15, and XJ220.
What led to the downfall of the original TWR?
The original TWR ceased operations in 2002 due to financial difficulties that were largely connected to its acquisition of the Arrows F1 team six years prior.
How does the new TWR differentiate from the original one?
Fergus Walkinshaw stated that the reinvigorated TWR is primarily an engineering firm focused on high-performance automobiles, as opposed to an automaker with engineering as a secondary focus.
More about TWR Revival High-Performance Automotive Line
- Tom Walkinshaw Racing History
- Formula 1 and 24 Hours of Le Mans Achievements
- Fergus Walkinshaw Profile
- History of Arrows F1 Team
- High-Performance Automotive Engineering
- Manual Transmissions in Modern Cars
- Collaboration Between TWR and Established Automotive Companies
- HSV-tuned Holden Commodores
- Aston Martin DB7
- Jaguar XJS, XJR-15, and XJ220 Models
6 comments
Interesting to see a focus on analog driving experience in this age of tech. it’s like a refreshing nod to the past.
I remember when TWR went under in 2002. Its a real blast from the past hearing this name again. intrigued to see where it goes.
Wow, TWR is back? Thats massive news! can’t wait to see what kinda cars they’re gonna make this time.
Really looking fwd to this! If they keep the manual transmssion in some models, that’ll be the cherry on top.
As someone who followed the original TWR closely, it’s super exciting to see it making a comeback. Fergus has big shoes to fill but it sounds like he knows what he’s doing.
British motorsport engineering is making a come back, it seems. Good on Fergus for taking the legacy forward.