Bristol Fighter (automobile)

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]

Bristol Fighter
Overview
ManufacturerBristol Cars
Production2004–2011
DesignerMax Boxstrom
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style2-door coupé
LayoutFront-engine, Rear-wheel-drive
Platformunique
DoorsGullwing doors
RelatedDodge Viper
Devon GTX
Chrysler Firepower
Alfa Romeo Zagato TZ3
Powertrain
Engine8.3 L Viper V10
8.4 L Viper V10
Transmission6-speed manual
4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase98.8 in (2,510 mm)
Length4,420 mm (174.0 in)
Width1,795 mm (70.7 in)
Height1,345 mm (53.0 in)
Kerb weight1,600 kg (3,527 lb) (525 bhp version)[1]

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 7,996 cc (487.9 cu in) 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 525 bhp (391 kW; 532 PS) at 5,600 rpm and 525 lb⋅ft (712 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 produce 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/t (359.1 bhp/t). 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 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 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)... "

Specifications
ModelEngineDisplacementMax powerMax torqueAcceleration 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) (s)Top speed
Fighter[1]V107,994 cc (487.8 cu in)525 bhp (391 kW; 532 PS) @ 5,500 rpm525 lb⋅ft (712 N⋅m) @ 4,200 rpm4.0210 mph (338 km/h)
Fighter S[6]V107,994 cc (487.8 cu in)628 bhp (468 kW; 637 PS) @ 5,900 rpm580 lb⋅ft (786 N⋅m) @ 3,900 rpm4.0210 mph (338 km/h)
Fighter T[7]V10 turbo7,994 cc (487.8 cu in)1,012 bhp (755 kW; 1,026 PS) @ 5,600 rpm1,036 lb⋅ft (1,405 N⋅m) @ 4,500 rpm3.5225 mph (362 km/h) limited

References
  1. Richard Porter (2008). "Bristol Fighter". evo.co.uk. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  2. Buckley, Martin (31 January 2006). "A very special Bristol: Anyone want to start a Fighter?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009. Retrieved 6 February 2008.
  3. "Fighting chance to be an instant classic". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 13 November 2006.
  4. "Bristol Fighter". Car and Driver. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  5. "Bristol Fighter". Evo. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  6. "Bristol Fighter V10 S". autocar.co.uk. 2005. Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  7. "Bristol Fighter T Revealed". worldcarfans.com. 2006. Archived from the original on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
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