Historical document · Bristol Cars Ltd · Press release / status update
Bristol Fighter interim update, release date 7 April 2001
A document published by Bristol Cars Ltd on its historic website. It is reproduced here as a historical record, not as a current statement by Bristol Cars Group. The figures and claims in it are Bristol’s own, as published at the time.
Provenance
- Original title
- Release date 7th April 2001: interim update, Bristol Fighter 2-seater
- Published by
- Bristol Cars Ltd, on bristolcars.co.uk, its website at the time
- Original address (archival provenance, not a current location)
- http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/BristolFighter20010404.htm
- Date
- , stated in the document. The document states its own release date, 7 April 2001. Its filename carries the date 4 April 2001. The archived capture is 10 June 2001.
- Archived capture used
- Internet Archive,
- Document type
- Press release / status update
- Relates to
- Bristol Fighter, 2004 to 2011 on this site, which gives the modern account.
About this document · editorial note by Bristol Cars Group, 2026
Sixteen months after the Fighter was first revealed, Bristol issued this status report. It is the first document to declare 525 bhp and 525 lb ft, the first to describe the moving-floor wind-tunnel programme and the yaw testing, and the document that promised first deliveries "around the end of 2001", a target the car did not meet.
It also records the price of £175,000 plus tax, the pre-sale of the first year's production and the twenty-cars-a-year capacity limit. Every performance and aerodynamic statement is Bristol's claim of April 2001. Read it alongside the Bristol Fighter history.
Transcription · Bristol Cars Ltd’s own words
Transcribed from the archived page. Bristol’s wording, spelling and figures are kept as published, including the company’s own inconsistencies; the only changes are paragraph breaks, headings and the restoration of characters the archived encoding corrupted. Nothing has been added or corrected.
RELEASE DATE 7TH APRIL 2001 - INTERIM UPDATE BRISTOL FIGHTER 2-SEATER
Bristol Cars are pleased to advise that the Bristol Fighter sports car programme, first revealed publicly 16 months ago is on target to permit the first deliveries to customers around the end of 2001 as planned.
Current status of the project is as follows:
ENGINE
The compact all aluminium 8-litre V-10 (same weight as Bristol's present 5.9 litre V-8) has been developed to produce 525 bhp and 525 lb/ft torque - a level of output previously unavailable in production road cars. Bristol's engineers have also created a pleasing degree of smoothness and refinement along with excellent fuel economy in normal driving conditions due to effortless high gearing, low weight and very low drag. A highly charismatic engine offering vivid, instantaneous throttle response, seemingly limitless torque and a seductive aural signature.
AERODYNAMICS
Setting new standards for road cars. Exhaustive moving floor wind tunnel testing has confirmed the predictive calculations made by Bristol's aerodynamicists. Lift has been eliminated even at speeds in excess of 200 mph. The centre of aerodynamic pressure is exactly coincident with the vehicle's centre of gravity and remains stable over a wide range of vehicle attitudes. Yaw testing has been successfully carried out and included simulated 50 mph side wind gusts at 200 mph road speed.
Overall drag is lower than any known rival.
STYLE
Having optimized the aerodynamic package and investigated critical areas of airflow sensitivity the company's styling team have made enhancements to improve visual appeal without losing either aerodynamic performance or the car's unique visual character.
STRUCTURE
By modifying the relative usage of steel, aluminium and composite materials the company's engineers have been able to exceed stiffness targets and reduce total vehicle weight to below original specifications. The current fashion for lavish use of aluminium and carbon fibre in inappropriate applications has been ignored thus ensuring that we have a genuinely lightweight vehicle with predictable strength over an exceptionally long life-span.
PERFORMANCE
Ahead of all original targets, a ratio of 350 bhp/ton puts it in the highest league of supercars worldwide and an exceptionally low CdA figure ensures remarkable acceleration in the higher speed ranges. The V-10 engine has more torque at idle than some rivals do at their peak so effortless high performance is available at a touch of the throttle in any gear.
ACCOMMODATION
Genuine gullwing doors allow unequalled access in tight parking conditions and low sills ensure easy and dignified entry and exit for people of all ages and sizes. Generous interior space for 2 large people. Driving position adjusts to suit persons from 4'11" to 6'7". Ample cockpit accommodation for everyday travel items. Luggage space for two people's touring requirements or golf clubs.
Low liftover boot height. Full size spare wheel is standard equipment.
CHASSIS
All independent suspension with wide based wishbones and coil spring/damper units setting new standards for precise geometric control. Particular attention to low parasitic friction. Exceptional mechanical grip, driver "feel" and enjoyable on-the-limit handling. Emphasis on high levels of traction, braking and straight line stability in all conditions. A particularly engaging car for the serious enthusiast.
BUILD STANDARD
Hand built regardless of cost to tolerances that are even more demanding than before. Unique "long life" design. Interior appointments and refinements to match the comfort and visual delight of a Bristol saloon car. Interior gives the feel of a coachbuilt interior but without the use of traditional wood trim.
PRACTICAL USABILITY
A completely practical and enjoyable everyday car, not a "toy". Despite having luxurious passenger and luggage accommodations, the Fighter has an exterior package no larger than a Porsche 911. This allows enthusiastic driving on smaller, more challenging roads. Traditional Bristol slim pillars, excellent all round visibility and a compact turning circle make it a pleasure to use in town. Ground clearance and approach/departure ramp angles are better than most saloon cars allowing it to be used and enjoyed in urban, country or snowy environments without risk of grounding or damage.
SAFETY
Considerable research has been made into alleviating the potential consequences of high-speed accidents where conventional remedies such as soft peripheral crash structures and airbags are ineffective.
PRICING
Pricing currently remains at £175,000 + tax and the first year's production was pre-sold within 3 months of the initial November 1999 announcement. Deposits to secure places on the waiting list are being accepted. Production limited by our overall vehicle capacity to a maximum of 20 Fighters per year worldwide.
For further information, please contact: Bristol Cars Ltd 368 - 370, Kensington High Street. LONDON W14 8NL ENGLAND Tel: (44) 0207 603 5554
End of the Bristol Cars Ltd document. Text © Bristol Cars Ltd, reproduced by Bristol Cars Group Ltd as successor to the marque’s records and goodwill. Photographs from the original page are not reproduced where their authorship is not recorded. Archive review reference S05 / V204.