Wednesday 25th May 2005

Bristol uprates Fighter

Idiosyncratic carmaker adds power and handling

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Bristol has announced a new variant of the barn-storming two-seat Bristol Fighter, the Fighter S, plus two performance packages, R and C, which can be fitted singly or in any combination to the base vehicle or Fighter S.

Bristol Fighter S

Bristol describes the S as a 628/660bhp car. The company -- idiosyncratic as ever -- uses two bhp figures because "horsepower increases at high speed due to aerodynamic overpressure within the air intake system". The car is unchanged externally, a ploy that Bristol reckoned "will delight those who desire the ultimate in discretion". It goes into production "shortly".

Technical Specifications (S)

• Max power 628/660 bhp at 5900rpm
• Max torque, 580 lb-ft at 3900rpm
• Ported inlet manifold
• Compression ratio increased to 10:1 from 9.4:1
• CNC modified high flow cylinder heads
• Larger stainless steel lightweight intake and exhaust valves
• Lightweight rockers with 1.7:1 ratio, up from 1.6:1
• Lighter extended rpm tappets and valve springs
• High lift asymmetric grind camshaft
• Modified fuel and ignition curves
• Revised exhaust manifolds and high-now catalysts

Vehicle base price £218,000 plus VAT

Bristol Fighter R

This variant is designed, said Bristo, "for those who wish to take advantage of the Fighter’s inbuilt agility and balance", and is optional on standard Fighter and Fighter S.

Immediately recognisable from its new five-spoke alloy wheels, the R uses 285/35 R 19 tyres (front) and 305/35 R 19 (rear) to improve responsiveness, ultimate traction and road holding. Adjustable spring bases lower the ride height by 10 mm, and special lightweight competition type springs are stiffer in rate, firmer anti-roll bars and revalved Bilstein dampers snub excess body movement. Changes to caster and camber sharpen steering feel and front tyre adhesion.

To provide room for wider rear wheels and tyres the dual three-inch exhaust system is rerouted to emerge from the sills ahead of the rear wheels which provides, according to Bristol, additional horsepower and reduced weight.

The even more extreme C (competition) package, lowers the car by 15 mm lower than standard and uses exposed competition-style fuel fillers. Aerodynamic enhancements include fairings ahead of the front wheels and a vertical ‘fence’ at the rear of the car for increased downforce. Bristol reckoned the changes lower the co-efficient of drag to 0.255 -- the lowest of any production car -- improves acceleration and top speed, and enhances handling balance and stability at very high speeds.

Technical specifications (R)

• Bristol 5-spoke wheels with forged centres and spun rims
• 10x19-inch wheels (front) and 11x19-inch wheels (rear)
• Tyres -- P Zero Rosso 285/35x19 (front), 305/35x19 (rear)
• Ride height lowered by 10 mm front and rear
• Lightweight race type springs. Rates increased by 30 per cent to 325 lb-in rate front and rear, up from 250 lb-in
• Uprated roll stiffness front and rear. Front increased by 35 per cent and rear by 32 per cent
• Uprated Bilstein dampers to suit
• Steering caster increased by 42 per cent to 5.1 degrees, up from 3.6 degrees
• Modified camber and bump steer settings at front to maximise grip and stability
• Revised exhaust system with outlets at rear of door sills

Additional price for the above package £16,125 plus VAT

Technical specifications (C)

Optional on standard Fighter and Fighter S

• Twin brushed alloy competition type fuel fillers on rear wings
• Ride height lowered by 15 mm front and rear
• Lightweight race type springs. Rates increased by 40 per cent
• Uprated adjustable anti-roll bars. Rate increased by 60 per cent (front) and 54 per cent (rear)
• Aerodynamic 'fence' incorporated at upper rear of body
• Aerodynamic fairings and under panel ahead of front wheels

Additional price for above package, £16,800 plus VAT

Bristol takes pains to point out that, "we have no intention of entering our cars in any competitive events in the foreseeable future."

The standard 525/550bhp Fighter continues in production unchanged at a base price of £195,000 plus VAT.

[rizla]

I really like the idea of good old british engineering, but can't help but notice this car looks like a '60s Corvette and has the engine from a Viper. We have the minds to beat all comers, but not the investment. TVR could be a real Porsche/Ferrari rival if it had the build quality and reliability the later exotics now show. Shame about the unrealistic price of the fighter too, this is probably a reflection of the ten or so they'll sell. An example would be how MG missed the boat by overpricing their X power by about 30k. If it didn't have the carbon body it would be a real alternative in the niche now filled by the Monaro.