Denmark’s hypercar returns with 1,178bhp, a race transmission, and a bizarre wing

This shy, retiring looking little runaround is the latest output from your favourite Danish purveyor of supercars: Zenvo. Meet the snappily titled TSR-S.

Styling wise, you’ll recognize this as a Zenvo. Grrr. It’s angry. And you’ll note that it’s been twin-supercharged again. This time, the 5.8-litre V8’s power output is said to be a heady 1,177bhp at 8,500rpm – though the power output is manually adjustable from the cockpit, we’re told. You can select as little as 700bhp if you’re a beginner. See, it’s a pussycat.

It’s also resplendent with ‘two gearboxes in one’. Sounds heavy. Well, it’s not actually two separate gearboxes. Rather, Zenvo has fitted a motorsport-spec seven-speed dog-box transmission, which we’re vaguely informed 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.” Apparently in the most aggressive mode you’re in for “one of the fastest-shifting transmissions in existence”. Blimey.

The stats do appear to back the chat up. According to Zenvo, the TSR-S can accelerate from 0-62mph in 2.8sec, and 0-125mph in 6.8sec.

V-Max? Limited to 202mph. Because this cars is about track-speed, not top-speed. And that brings us neatly to the ‘Centripetal Wing’ Zenvo is debuting on the new TSR-S. Effectively, it’s a double-hinged wing. It can tilt up as an airbrake and lie flat to reduce drag, or rotate on the opposite axis to force the car’s unloaded tyres into the tarmac when cornering.

Remember how the Lamborghini Huracan Performante uses a hollow wing to force air out at different apertures and trim its own downforce? This is like a more industrial… Danish solution.

Here’s the science, a la Zenvo: “The name ‘Centripetal’ 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 centripetal 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.”

Keeping up? Good. There’s more…

“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.”

So, there you have it. Science. A shapeshifting, dancing wing that McLaren should’ve thought of for the Senna, but didn’t. Whoops…

The rest of the TSR-S’s bodywork has sprouted more winglets and creases to match up to that high-downforce brief. Inside, you have to ask to spec nav, electric seats, air-con, or airbags. Erk. Everything that can be stripped has been junked in the name of lightweighting. Carbon seats. Redesigned instruments. The lot.

Only five of these all-carbon wingshod wonders will be made per year, each hugely personalised with an (unquoted) price tag to match. Anyone else wondering how quick it might do a lap of that racetrack in Germany?

The Zenvo TSR-S features an in-house developed 1,177bhp 5.8-litre twin-supercharged flat-plane V8 engine, which is coupled with a motorsport-derived gearbox, to propel it from standstill to 100km/h in just 2.8 seconds. It takes less than 6.8 seconds for it to reach 200km/h, with its top speed is electronically limited to 325km/h.

With a full carbon body - honed to exceptionally high-quality standards in-house - it weighs in at 1,495kg (dry weight). All that power is transferred to the road via Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, and is kept under control by a patented active Centripetal wing. This distinctive Zenvo innovation has the ability to change the angle of attack in two different axis. Under braking, it creates additional drag and acts as an air brake, while in cornering it distributes downforce to the inner side of the car to minimise vehicle roll. The lateral angle of attack can change by up to 20 degrees, giving the Centripetal wing a significant advantage over other market solutions.

A dual gearbox set up allows drivers to switch between a standard road gearbox configuration and a brutal mechanical direct power-shift race set-up, again all developed in-house by Zenvo's expert team of engineers.

Zenvo TSR-S crouched on the road like a lion primed to attack; this naturally powerful image having inspired the Zenvo design team. Its dramatic and sinister looks are striking, yet rooted in the Danish design tradition of form following function. Smooth curves contrast against motorsport-inspired angles that denote its phenomenal power, with customers able to tailor each model to their exacting specification.

The expertly crafted Zenvo TSR-S sits at the pinnacle of the hypercar segment. Hand built at Zenvo's headquarters in Prćstř, Denmark, just five of the brand's models are manufactured by the specialist team each year, utilising its comprehensive in-house manufacturing capabilities.