Bristol Fighter (automobile)
| Bristol Fighter | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Bristol Cars |
| Production | 2004–2011 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Chrysler V10 |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual four-speed automatic[citation needed] |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,750 mm (108.3 in)[citation needed] |
| Length | 4,420 mm (174.0 in) |
| Width | 1,795 mm (70.7 in) |
| Height | 1,345 mm (53.0 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) (525 bhp version)[1] |
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 has gullwing doors, was designed by former Brabham Formula One engineer Max Boxstrom and gives the car a Cd of 0.28.
The car uses a front-mounted V10 engine of 7,996 cc (487.9 ci) based on that of 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 525 bhp (391 kW; 532 PS) at 5,600 rpm and 515 lb⋅ft (698 N⋅m) 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 give 628 hp (660 hp at high speed using the ram air effect). The car's weight is 1,600 kg (3,527 lb).[1]
The car has a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission, and is rear-wheel drive. It can achieve the 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) sprint in 4.0 seconds (claimed), and enjoys a power-to-weight ratio of 267.8 kW/ton (362 bhp/ton). The car has a claimed top speed of 210 mph (340 km/h) and the driver can be 6 ft 7 in (2.0 m) tall at maximum.
Although sketches and models had been publicised 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 claimed that only 13 Bristol Fighters were ever manufactured.
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 1,012 bhp (755 kW; 1,026 PS) and 1,036 lb⋅ft (1,405 N⋅m) 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 mph (430 km/h); however it would have been electronically limited to a "more than adequate" 225 mph (362 km/h).
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)... " [1]
Specifications
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Max power | Max torque | Acceleration 0-60 mph/s | Top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fighter[1] | V10 | 7,994 cc (487.8 cu in) | 525 bhp (391 kW; 532 PS) @ 5,500 rpm | 525 lb⋅ft (712 N⋅m) @ 4,200 rpm | c 4.0 | 210 mph (340 km/h) |
| Fighter S[4] | V10 | 7,994 cc (487.8 cu in) | 628 bhp (468 kW; 637 PS) @ 5,900 rpm | 580 lb⋅ft (790 N⋅m) @ 3,900 rpm | 4.0 | 210 mph (340 km/h) |
| Fighter T[5] | V10 turbo | 7,994 cc (487.8 cu in) | 1,012 bhp (755 kW; 1,026 PS) @ 5,600 rpm | 1,036 lb⋅ft (1,405 N⋅m) @ 4,500 rpm | 3.5 | 225 mph (362 km/h) limited |
References
- ^ a b c Richard Porter (2008). "Bristol Fighter". evo.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ Buckley, Martin (31 January 2006). "A very special Bristol: Anyone want to start a Fighter?". The Independent. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
- ^ "Fighting chance to be an instant classic". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 13 November 2006.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Bristol Fighter V10 S". autocar.co.uk. 2005. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
- ^ "Bristol Fighter T Revealed". worldcarfans.com. 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2010.