Blenheim 3G: the petrol and LPG announcement of 2003

Blenheim 3G New luxury car running on petrol and Liquefied Petroleum Gas from Bristol - 57 years manufacturing Great Britain's most exclusive luxury car.

Bristol draws on its experience from 1977 when they marketed the 412 petrol/LPG car. The first UK manufacturer then to do it in original equipment sale.

The Bristol Blenheim 3G is a full four seater. Like all current Bristols the car has a huge luggage boot in spite of one petrol tank and two LPG tanks as the full size spare wheel is mounted under one front wing.

Price on Blenheim 3G £123,250.00 VAT £21,568.75 Total UK price £144,818.75

Bristol Cars have always been designed and built without reference to normal cost constraints, yet few people realise that they are also notably inexpensive to operate, this characteristic undoubtedly being a part of the remarkable customer loyalty that our cars engender. In particular, depreciation on resale is kept low due to our vehicles' exclusivity and unique long life design. Out of pocket expenses have been minimised by our designers' obsessive attention to real economy of operation. For these reasons, a Bristol is an attractive economic proposition compared to any other car of similar first cost. With this tradition in mind, we are pleased to announce a new car, the Blenheim 3G offering bi-fuel capability.

Bristol first made available an LPG option on new cars more than 25 years ago, so we possess a great deal of multi-fuel experience. The latest installation is a highly sophisticated one with a stand-alone computer and eight additional injectors for gas operation. By taking advantage of the superior anti-knock qualities of LPG, performance has been optimised to the point where no power loss can be discerned (please note that the Blenheim range already offers more torque than any other normally aspirated four-seater car). Sensitive drivers may notice even greater smoothness of operation when running on gas. Since many owners already report a petrol consumption of 30 mpg at legal steady cruising speeds, LPG operation can provide the cost equivalent of around 50 mpg in the same condition which is startling for such a roomy, powerful car.

Initial starting from cold utilises petrol, the system switching seamlessly to gas within the first mile of operation. Similarly, if the gas supply becomes exhausted while the driver forgets to switch to petrol the system automatically reverts to petrol and posts and audible warning. Thoughtful positioning of the twin LPG tanks ensures and 80 litre useable gas capacity yet the boot still easily accommodates oversized suitcases or golf clubs. By combining petrol and LPG operation, a range of up to 600 miles can be achieved. Bristol's tradition of maintaining low emission of pollutants is further enhanced with this new model and it is anticipated that owners may avoid the upcoming congestion charging in Central London as a result.

We are proud to offer the new Blenheim 3G which has all the qualities for which the marque is famous, yet offers improved emissions, economy of operation, longer range and even greater engine smoothness. Existing Blenheim cars may be converted to bi-fuel capability and as with all the many factory developed upgrades pertaining to used Bristols, finance or lease terms can be made available should this offer a convenience. The Bristol Blenheim 3G is one of the world's most remarkable cars. Bristol is the only remaining luxury car manufacturer under British control. Today's traffic conditions require a vehicle with compact overall dimensions to provide enjoyable, stress-free motoring.

The Blenheim's major mechanical components are carefully laid out so that we may provide the interior width of a formal luxury car within the external width of a medium sized saloon. A rare feature these days is a generous area of glass (of exceptional optical quality) and slim pillars which give unrivalled outward vision. Combined with an unexpectedly tight turning circle the Blenheim allows brisk and enjoyable progress in traffic conditions and slips through gaps where traditional luxury saloons are often brought to a frustrating standstill. Despite its compact exterior dimensions, Blenheim 3G draws on our logical Aviation heritage to maximise space within. The normally wasted area behind the front wheels is used for lockable compartments which house the spare wheel, battery and electrical components.

The fuel tank is located above the rear axle line (the safest place imaginable) thus ensuring that the boot is deep and regularly spaced. Four six four tall adults can settle comfortably into amply sized leather armchairs with generous leg, head and shoulder room. These high backed seats with integral headrests support you softly but fully while one of the strongest road car structures yet devised insulates you from unwanted harshness and vibration. The interior is trimmed by hand in a special flawless grade of hide created for Bristol, complemented by matched walnut veneer and Wilton carpet edge-bound in leather. Many hours are spent covering by hand the areas beneath with underlays to give that solid cosseted feel that is one of the great delights of a traditional coachbuilt body.

In a Bristol, every journey becomes an occasion, a relaxing and satisfying place from which to observe the hectic world without. It is not be chance that Bristol enjoys the reputation as a marque favoured by the most skilled and enthusiastic drivers. The Blenheim is unique among passenger cars in locating the entire engine and all major masses including the spare wheel and battery within the wheelbase. This is essential, as it allows us to achieve not only the ideal front to rear weight balance but also the lowest possible centre of gravity and polar moment of inertia. The results may be felt every minute you drive - exceptional agility combined with imperturbable stability at speed and remarkable roadholding under all conditions.

Bristol's power steering system, unlike most others, has been developed to provide a true feel of the road, varying its feedback faithfully according to the amount of road grip that is available. Whether it is being used as a luxury Town Car or a high speed Continental Express, Bristol' painstaking engineering excellence puts the driver confidently in control and his passengers totally at ease. Powering the Blenheim 3G is a large displacement naturally aspired engine which has been optimised to perform economically and with exceptional responsiveness at low revs and light throttle openings. Indeed very few cars of any type offer more torque in relation to vehicle weight. You will notice this in the way that the car moves swiftly away from rest as if it weight almost nothing.

Every throttle movement will be answered with a swift, obedient authority while a 70 mph cruise requires an engine speed of barely 1,700 rpm. Should your mood or road conditions require it, the smooth yet responsive automatic transmission will immediately change down giving you access to a level of performance normally reserved for serious sporting machines. By painstaking engineering and innovative design, Bristol have achieved what our owners most desire. A car sized to make the best use of today's roads yet with the full accommodation of a formal saloon and the presence of a true gentleman's Grand Touring coupe. Equally accomplished in traffic or at speed on unrestricted Continental roads the Blenheim 3G is a vehicle of rare ability and unequalled quality.

Such a combination of virtues cannot be matched by any other.

BLENHEIM 3G SPECIFICATION

Engine Layout:

8 cylinders in vee formation Cubic capacity: 5900 cc Bore: 101.6 mm (4 in) Stroke: 90.93 mm (3.58 in) Compression ratio: 9.25:1 Fuel system: Tuned runner aluminium induction plenum with multi port injection and separate gas system with its own common rail sequential injectors and OBD compatible ECU Emissions: Reduced by approximately 50% when running on gas

Drivetrain Layout:

Electronically controlled automatic with four forward speeds and reverse Torque converter: Stall ratio 2.19:1 with computer controlled lock-up clutch. Final drive: 2.88:1 (3.06 optional) Overall gearing: 40.72 mph/1,000 rpm (38.52 optional)

Suspension Front:

Unequal length wishbones with coil springs, adjustable telescopic dampers, torsional anti-roll bar Rear: Bristol 8-link axle with torsion springs, adjustable telescopic dampers. Limited slip differential.

Steering Layout:

Power assisted recirculating ball Safety: Energy absorbing column with offset joints and twin progressive collapse sections Steering wheel: 14" diameter with hand stitched leather trim

Brakes Front:

Self adjusting discs with four piston callipers Rear: Self adjusting discs with two piston callipers Handbrake: Mechanical linkage operating on rear discs

Wheels 7

x 15" Alloy (7 x 16" Alloy optional)

Tyres Front

and rear: 215/70 x 15 (225/60 x 16 optional) Spare: Full sized located in front wing compartment

Fuel system Petrol

Pump: Electric high pressure with external filter and regulator Tank: 82 litres (18 Imp. Gallons) - 109 litres (24 Imp. Gallons optional) Filler: Concealed with remove electric release

Gas Integrated

high capacity vaporiser/pressure regulator/filler Tanks: Twin compact cylinders 80 litres (17.5 Imp. gallons) Filler: Body colour below main fuel filler

Dimensions Length:

4.256 m (15' 10") Width: 1.765 m (5' 9") Height: 1.441 m (4'8") Wheelbase: 2.89 m (9'6") Track front: 1.416 m (4'7") Track rear: 1.435 m (4'8") Turning circle: 11.912 m (39') Kerb weight: 1784 kg (3997 lbs)

Performance Acceleration:

(on petrol) 0-60 mph - 6.3 secs

Price Basic

price £123,250.00 VAT £21,568.75 Total UK price £144,818.75

Photograph captions on the original page

The compact but roomy Bristol Blenheim 3G

Despite the additional LPG tanks the elegant tail of the Bristol Blenheim 3G has enoromous luggag capacity

Golf clubs and luggage all fit in the Blenheim 3G

Time for a break: a six foot Bristol technician finds one of the LPG tanks a useful pillow

The narrow central console adds to the already spacious driver's leg room

Spare wheel under one front wing, battery, fuses etc under the other, leaves a large boot in spite of additional fuel tanks