ZENVO AUTOMOTIVE RETURNS WITH TSR-S
STUNNING NEW TSR-S CAR FOLLOWS UP ON SUCCESSFUL 2018 LAUNCH
Danish hypercar specialist Zenvo has presented its Zenvo TSR-S hypercar at the Geneva International Motor Show in a new ‘Grotta Azzurra’ blue livery. The track-focused model made its debut in 2018 and features the Zentripetal active rear wing system which further contributes to the car’s extraordinary performance.
• Zenvo marks sixth consecutive appearance at Geneva Motor Show with new TSR-S: the third model in the TS (Twin Supercharged) model line-up
• Zenvo’s innovative Zentripetal Wing revolutionises stability and high-speed cornering
• The TSR-S uses a more powerful version of Zenvo’s in-house developed twin supercharged 5.8-litre V8 high rev racing engine, producing 1177 bhp at 8,500 rpm and a torque of more than 1100 N.
• Motorsports-derived 7-sp paddle shift dog box: one of the fastest-shifting transmissions in existence
• Acceleration 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.8 seconds, 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) in just 6.8 seconds
Danish high-performance automotive company Zenvo has today presented a stunning new example of its much acclaimed TSR-S model at the Geneva International Motor Show. The Zenvo TSR-S is positioned between the company’s TS1 GT car and its racetrack-bred sibling, the TSR, combining phenomenal on-road and track capabilities with ultimate exclusivity.
The TSR-S is a street legal version of the TSR – hence the ’S’ in the model name. Highlights include the innovative active multi-axis Zentripetal Wing and an in-house developed twin supercharged V8 engine. The very first TSR-S was sold and handed over to its proud owner immediately after the successful world premiere in Geneva last year. Production of the TSR-S is now underway within Zenvo’s limited build schedule of just five cars a year.
Various other features set the car apart from its rivals. The TSR-S incorporates manually-adjustable performance settings including a variable power output. In addition, the unique dual gearbox set-up can switch between a standard road gearbox configuration and a brutal mechanical direct power-shift race set-up that delivers a genuine race car experience on the track.
The TSR-S has been completely redesigned and reengineered for optimum aerodynamic performance. Combined with a further improved active rear differential and an advanced traction control system, this enables the TSR-S to deliver an unrivalled performance on the road and provide a genuinely unique hypercar experience.
“In developing the TSR-S, the dedication and ambition of our team drove us to achieve unprecedented levels of aerodynamic engineering capability for a road-going car,” comments Troels Vollertsen, Chief Technical Officer and founder of Zenvo. “Converging the individual performance characteristics of the exceptional TS1 GT hypercar with the savage TSR track car has created the ultimate Zenvo. The TSR-S is a once-in-a-generation car with cutting-edge technologies that define new boundaries in automotive engineering and rightfully place it in the very highest echelons of the hypercar world.”
Bespoke in every detail
A total of five Zenvo cars are allocated annually, which makes it unlikely that owners will ever encounter another Zenvo in the wild. Unique to the exclusive world of hypercar ownership, Zenvo offers clients a bespoke personalised watermark graphic set beneath the high-gloss finish on the carbon fibre panels, using a meticulous process carried out by master craftsmen.
“Like all our cars, the Zenvo TSR-S is 100% Danish-designed and hand-built in an extremely limited number,” says Marketing Director Peter van Rooy. “Each car is fully customisable and built to order, tailored to the precise specifications of the discerning client. For example, the TSR-S show car presented in Geneva includes an airbag steering wheel and passenger airbag, something we didn’t feature on last year’s show car when we were looking to maximise weight reduction.
“In addition, we have added just a few of the extensive range of bespoke creature comforts that are available as non-cost options to owners, including climate control, an in-car multi-media installation and a hydraulic ride-height elevation system. There is also a highly intelligent track layout app that registers your performance & cornering, then offers instant advice for subsequent laps.”
All Zenvo cars celebrate the wider wonders of nature. In 2018, the show car was in a lustrous ‘Laguna Roja’ paint finish, representing the rich hues of the freshwater ‘Red Lagoon’ in Chile. The display model for Geneva this year is a stunning new blue colour ‘Grotta Azzurra’, named after the famous sea cave on the coast of the island of Capri, Italy. The blue paint is highlighted by white racing accents.
Ultimate hypercar experience
Zenvo’s brand partners include Univar, Michelin, MASCOT, Rebellion Timepieces, ECCO, Nimbus Nordic, Supercar Owners Circle and Ascari Circuit. Zenvo is also marking the Geneva Motor Show with the official start of a new tri-party partnership. “This is the first time that a hypercar manufacturer (Zenvo) has joined forces with a supercar drivers’ network (Supercar Owners Circle) and a race track (Ascari Circuit),” explains van Rooy. “This exciting new partnership encapsulates the essence of what a true hypercar experience is all about: bringing together the perfect people to test Denmark’s hypercar in an ideal environment.”
Having given the TSR-S its world premiere last year, Zenvo took the time to present the car on iconic racing circuits such as Assen, Goodwood and Ascari. Now, in the fourth quarter of 2019 and in partnership with Supercar Owners Circle, Zenvo will put the TSR-S through its paces on the Ascari circuit in Ronda, Málaga.
“We will bring together a select group of clients and enthusiasts to enjoy some action-packed track days in the mild Andalusian climate,” continues van Rooy. “To commemorate this association with Ascari, we have launched the exclusive Ascari Circuit pack at the Geneva show. This is available to new TSR-S owners as a cost option and gives them free admission to our track days at the Ascari circuit, a helicopter transfer from Malaga airport to the circuit, free Ascari Club Membership and car storage for one year.
“They will also be offered a full weekend of circuit training with an official Ascari driving instructor, where they can wear their custom-made carbon fibre race helmet and race suit. The goal here is obviously not to teach Zenvo owners how to drive – they’re already very adept at that – but to maximise the driving experience on this particular track while enjoying everything the car has to offer.”
Zenvo Zentripetal Wing: patented active rear wing system
Since its formation in 2007, Zenvo has established a reputation for engineering excellence and innovation. Building on this foundation, advanced aerodynamic analysis and implementation of advanced airflow management on the TSR-S helps the car generate more than three times as much downforce as the TS1 GT. Central to this is the dramatic Zentripetal Wing.
The ground-breaking rear wing has two rotational axes enabling it to function both as an air brake and a cornering stabilizer. When the TSR-S corners, the wing rotates relative to the car’s longitudinal axis. This generates an inward force together with the conventional downforce, boosting inner tyre grip and cornering stability.
Vollertsen: “The Zentripetal Wing is an exceptional development that allows for increased grip and higher cornering speed. Whereas most supercars only achieve optimum downforce in cornering at a certain speed, the multi-rotational function of the wing distributes downforce in an innovative way to deliver the optimum amount of cornering grip at any speed. Whilst lifting to boost downforce, the wing also tilts while cornering – for example, lifting the left side of the wing when cornering left and vice versa to propel the car to the inside of the corner, ensuring exceptional stability and grip.”
The name ‘Zentripetal’ directly refers to the centripetal force also known as ‘centre-seeking’ force. When in an absolutely horizontal position, a conventional rear wing generates a downforce perpendicular to the horizontal position of the wing: absolute vertical. When the Zentripetal Wing tilts away from the absolute horizontal, the downforce stays perpendicular to the plane of the wing, thereby generating a centripetal force.
This centripetal force reduces the tendency of the rear end to break away – a trait that is inherent for a mid-engine car. Furthermore, the high pivot point of the wing allows it to act as an additional rear anti-roll bar. This provides additional grip to the inner wheel, reducing the chance of a loss of traction at the rear, and also ensuring increased downforce on the inner wheel. The wing also functions as an air brake when fully rotated in an upright position.
Advanced aerodynamic design
The aerodynamic development of the Zenvo TSR-S was focused on providing unprecedented driving dynamics. The Zentripetal Wing is only one contributor to the comprehensive new aerodynamic package – other innovative new features also play a role in enhancing stability, cornering and braking.
The front splitter is designed to improve front to rear downforce distribution by generating front downforce and directing air to the underbody. The front bumper has been updated together with the front wheel housing outlets. Together they stabilise the air around the front wheels and direct air to the intercoolers. At the same time the front wheel housing outlets extracts air from the front underbody, improving downforce and decreasing drag.
The rear body of the car features major updates with an LMP1-inspired air scoop, new diffuser and the proprietary active rear wing. The diffuser is optimised to extract air from the underbody and decrease the rear tyre wake for increased stability.
Kasper Berthu Damkjær, Senior Fluid Mechanics Specialist and founder of Aerotak ApS, participated in the development of the TSR-S aerodynamics. “The wing concept is focused on delivering high downforce while increasing the tyre load on the inboard tyres when cornering,” says Damkjær. “Conventional movable wing and flap designs, focused on inboard tyre load, function by a penalty concept where downforce is increased on the inboard section of the cornering car but not on the outboard section. The TSR-S wing concept is able to maintain the high downforce and generate a large inwards-directed force. When the wing is tilted, downforce is only decreased by 3%, while an inward-directed force of 30% of the wing downforce is generated.”
Advanced engineering provides personalised driving characteristics for TSR-S
Zenvo has developed a reputation among hypercar enthusiasts around the world for offering clients a truly unique blend of power, performance and prestige. Using extensive lightweight carbon-fibre and other hybrid composite materials as well as a distinctive drivetrain, the quality of Zenvo engineering and the precision quality of the production are worthy successors to Denmark’s innovative ancestors.
The TSR-S comes very close to being a genuine track car even though it is still drivable on public roads, combining phenomenal handling capabilities with ultimate exclusivity. An easy-to-drive hypercar for the road, owners also have the potential to alter the car’s characteristics with a number of adjustable performance settings that transform it into a performance-focused racer.
There are three settings – Minimum (700bhp), IQ and Maximum (1177bhp). IQ is an autonomous setting that cleverly provides ‘race-car for the road’ driving characteristics. The advanced traction control system continuously assesses the grip of the tyres on the road and limits the power accordingly. Where traction allows, the IQ setting will ensure maximum power is delivered to the rear wheels whenever possible.
The experience provided by the two distinct gearbox settings makes the TSR-S feel like a genuine race car to drivers. The gearbox comprises a 7-speed paddle shift gearbox with helical-cut dog gears. The set-up can switch between a standard road gearbox directly to a race gearbox operation – a development that is unique to Zenvo.
In Race setting, the brutal direct mechanical power-shift gear change is one of the fastest-shifting powertrains in existence. In Road setting, the gear change is electronic, with sensors adjusting the gear change to remove the harshness so often experienced by a dog box. This ensures a more relaxing drive in everyday use.
Performance-focused exterior styling – inspired by nature
The TSR-S takes the powerful Danish design philosophy of previous Zenvo success stories and complements them in new ways. For instance, the piercing headlights, inspired by a sharp-eyed eagle stalking its prey before diving down to take the prize, are enhanced by a redesigned carbon fibre splitter that adds to the purposeful stance. The aggressively muscular haunches on the side profile also reflect the power of nature, reminiscent of a lion crouched on its haunches, ready to launch into action.
The redesigned headlights feature Bi-LED headlamps and daytime running lights, indicators, and a drag-reducing air duct. This configuration is developed to minimise weight and adds considerable visual impact, making the front of the TSR-S look even more aggressive and purposeful than the original TS1 GT.
As with the headlight housing, the redesigned rear light frame features a duct venting the rear wheel housing. Rear lights are reduced to only one cluster unit per side in order to save weight – there is even just a single licence plate lamp at the rear, highlighting the attention to detail provided by Zenvo’s engineers in their efforts to reduce weight.
The inside story – inspired by racing heritage
Every detail of the minimalistic driver-focused interior of the TSR-S reflects the overall performance-focused philosophy of a track day car. Unnecessary weight has been eliminated from the cockpit: in its ultimate configuration, the car has no sound system or speakers, no satellite navigation, no air conditioning, no airbags and mechanically operated seats, although clients can specify any level of equipment they desire.
Continuing the high-performance theme, the materials and trim finish are race-inspired. The steering wheel features a switch that has been adopted directly from racing, while the bespoke TSR-S carbon seat shells are clad in lightweight 3D-cushioned blue fabric designed to reduce heat from the driver and race-suit-gripping Alcantara, and fitted with six-point racing harnesses.
All surfaces have been stripped back to expose the structural carbon fibre, with parts upholstered in Alcantara only where necessary to eliminate reflections in the windscreen. In contrast to the TS1 GT – where Zenvo offers a wide range of precious metals for all CNC-machined trim parts – the TSR-S features a black anodised aluminium trim underlining the racing ambience of the cabin. Customers can choose their own colours here too should they wish.
The instrument cluster display graphics have been completely redesigned for the TSR-S, featuring a horizontal rev-counter inspired by retro racers from the 1980s, and central gear selection indicator. The simplicity of the display reflects the stripped-back nature of the car and emphasises to drivers the most important information they need when driving fast, such as the current gear selection and engine revs.
Technical highlights
Configuration:
2-door, 2-seat, mid-engine, rear wheel drive sports car
Body:
All carbon fibre
Chassis:
Lightweight steel/aluminium semi-monocoque, front and rear racing steel sub-frames
Engine:
Zenvo 5.8-litre V8 flatplane high revving racing engine with Twin Centrifugal Superchargers and sequential fuel injection.
Max power:
1177 bhp
Transmission:
Paddle shift 7-speed gearbox with helical-cut dog gears
Top speed:
325 km/h (202 mph) electronically limited
Acceleration:
0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.8 seconds, 0-200 km/h (0-124 mph) in 6.8 seconds
Length:
4815 mm
Width:
2038 mm (excluding door mirrors)
Height:
1198 mm
Wheelbase:
2906 mm
Ground clearance:
95 mm (can be raised to 145 mm using hydraulic ride-height elevation system when required for kerbs and speed humps)
Dry weight:
1495 kg (in ultimate specification)
Weight distribution (F/R):
44%/56%
Wheels / tyres:
Forged aluminium wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres
Front:
8.5×20 wheels with 245/35-20 tyres
Rear:
12.5×21 wheels with 325/30-21 tyres
Brakes:
Carbon ceramic discs with six-piston callipers
Front:
395 mm
Rear:
380 mm
ABOUT ZENVO AUTOMOTIVE A/S
Zenvo has been creating 100% Danish-designed hand-built sports cars since 2007. The company was formed as a channel for the aspirations of a group of highly talented Danish engineers and designers with extensive experience gained from working with Italian and German automotive companies. Led by powertrain specialist Troels Vollertsen, with the design and styling vision of ex-RCA graduate Christian Brandt, the team aimed to build a car which combined the traditional skills of Danish styling with motorsports-derived high performance technology.
Functionalistic and immediately aesthetically iconic, the Zenvo ST1 was developed over six years to demonstrate the use of lightweight composite materials in a car capable of performing alongside the finest supercars. A uniquely designed and engineered engine of 6.9 litres was produced for the ST1 incorporating both a supercharger and turbocharger in a car made primarily from carbon fibre while featuring an aluminium and steel safety cell which tests proved to offer the ideal passenger environment for safety and comfort.
In 2016 Zenvo presented an evolution of the ST1, the TS1 GT, and the more racetrack-oriented TSR. These cars featured a completely new in-house developed 5.8-litre lightweight twin-supercharged flat-plane V8 engine producing 1102 bhp. The engine boasts a dry sump and flat-plane crankshaft configuration allowing it to rev much higher, produce power more efficiently and be mounted lower in the body for improved handling. Uniquely developed software for the Zenvo-designed motorsports-derived paddle shift 7-speed dog box provides one of the fastest-shifting powertrains in existence.
With a maximum production of just five cars a year, spread over three models – the TS1 GT, TSR and TSR-S – Zenvo cars are ultra-rare and collectible. They offer the ultimate combination of design, high performance, engaging and pure driving characteristics, bespoke materials, craftsmanship and exclusivity.
