History
The 400SE was largely similar to late 390SEs, but featured marginally larger displacement - 3,948 versus 3,905 cc. The body was as for Series 2 390SEs, with the more rounded nose and a large rear underbody aerofoil. An asymmetrically vented bonnet hinted at what was underneath, and there was a large rear spoiler (smaller than the 'bathtray' style used on the SEAC, but still large). The appearance was considerably more mature than the wild SEAC, but both suffered from the large transmission tunnel which cramped the footwell and serious heatsink from the large engines. On the plus side was the "phenomenal noise" and "exhilarating acceleration". Ventilated front disc brakes and fifteen inch wheels were standard fitment, with power steering available and later made standard. In 1989 the even bigger engined 450SE appeared, with an extra 45 bhp but otherwise hard to distinguish from the 400. Production of the 450SE ended in 1990 after 35 had been built. There was also the 1989 400SX, a supercharged version developed by "Northern TVR Centre" in Barrow-in-Furness. Along with DPR Forced Induction Systems Sprintex supercharger units were fitted, and while power and torque outputs are unknown the smaller engined 350SX showed increases of over thirty percent, which would mean ample power for most. The supercharged versions provided superb mid-range punch, compared to the peakier naturally aspirated models. The last development of the SE was the 430SE, three of which were built in 1991. They used the 4.3 litre V8 engine also seen in the recently introducedSpecifications
References
{{TVR road car timeline 400 SE Sports cars Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Cars introduced in 1988