Bristol Fighter (automobile) explained

Bristol Fighter
Manufacturer:Bristol Cars
Production:2004–2011
Designer:Max Boxstrom
Class:Sports car (S)
Body Style:2-door coupé
Platform:unique
Related:Dodge Viper
Devon GTX
Chrysler Firepower
Alfa Romeo Zagato TZ3
Layout:Front-engine, Rear-wheel-drive
Engine:8.3 L Viper V10
8.4 L Viper V10
Transmission:6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Wheelbase:98.8inches
Length:44201NaN1
Width:17951NaN1
Height:13451NaN1
Weight:1600kg (3,500lb) (525 bhp version)[1]
Sp:uk
Doors:Gullwing doors

The Bristol Fighter is a sports car produced by Bristol Cars in small numbers from 2004 until the company suspended manufacturing in 2011. It is generally classed as a supercar.[2] [3]

The coupé body, which features gullwing doors, was designed by former Brabham Formula One engineer Max Boxstrom[4] and gives the car a Cd of 0.28.[5]

The car uses a front-mounted 7996abbr=onNaNabbr=on V10 engine, based on the engine in the Dodge Viper and the Dodge Ram SRT-10 pick up (it was originally based on the Chrysler LA engine), but modified by Bristol to produce 5250NaN0 at 5,600 rpm and 525lbft of torque at 4,200 rpm. This is in keeping with Bristol's use of Chrysler engines since 1961. In the more powerful Fighter S, the engine is tuned to produce 628 hp (660 hp at high speed using the ram air effect). The car's weight is 16000NaN0.[1]

The car has a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, and is rear-wheel drive. It can achieve the 0- sprint in 4.0 seconds (claimed), and enjoys a power-to-weight ratio of 267.8kW/t. The car has a claimed top speed of 210mi/h and the driver can be 6feet tall at maximum.

Although sketches and models had been publicized some time before, a complete car was first shown to the press in May 2003. The first drive by a car magazine appears to be that in the April 2005 issue of Evo magazine.

It is not known exactly how many Bristol Fighters were manufactured, but the number is between 9 and 14.

Fighter T

In 2006, Bristol announced the Fighter T, a turbocharged version of the Fighter. This was planned to have a modified version of the Chrysler V10 producing 10120NaN0 and 10360NaN0 of torque at 4,500 rpm. This also would have made it the first turbocharged petrol-powered V10 production car. The Fighter T was designed to have an improved drag coefficient of 0.27. Bristol claimed that the car would be capable of more than 270-1NaN-1; however it would have been electronically limited to a "more than adequate" 2250NaN0.

The Bristol Cars website now states that in fact, no Bristol Fighter T's were ever produced "... (the planned turbo version with 1050bhp never did make it to production)... " https://grrc.goodwood.com/road/news/first-and-last-bristols-find-new-homes#Biuo2oAF8SlzVPQx.99

Specifications

ModelEngineDisplacementMax powerMax torqueAcceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) (s)Top speed
FighterV107994cc 525bhp @ 5,500 rpm 525lbft @ 4,200 rpm 4.0 210mi/h
Fighter S[6] V107994cc 6280NaN0 @ 5,900 rpm580lbft @ 3,900 rpm4.0 210mi/h
Fighter T[7] V10 turbo7994cc 10120NaN0 @ 5,600 rpm 1036lbft @ 4,500 rpm 3.5 225mi/h limited

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bristol Fighter. 2010-07-08. 2008. Richard Porter. evo.co.uk.
  2. News: A very special Bristol: Anyone want to start a Fighter? . Martin . Buckley . 31 January 2006 . The Independent. https://web.archive.org/web/20090915191416/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/features/a-very-special-bristol-anyone-want-to-start-a-fighter-525210.html . dead . 15 September 2009 . 6 February 2008.
  3. News: Fighting chance to be an instant classic . 13 November 2006 . Coventry Evening Telegraph .
  4. News: Bristol Fighter. Car and Driver. 2018-08-19. en.
  5. News: Bristol Fighter. Evo. 2018-08-19. en.
  6. Web site: Bristol Fighter V10 S. 2010-07-08. 2005. autocar.co.uk. https://web.archive.org/web/20110524191221/http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Bristol-Fighter-V10-S/215261/. 24 May 2011. dead.
  7. Web site: Bristol Fighter T Revealed. 2010-07-08. 2006. worldcarfans.com. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120703015624/http://www.worldcarfans.com/10611075776/bristol-fighter-t-revealed. 3 July 2012. dmy-all.