Every supercar has a name and some clout to them, but Bristol's Fighter T is different. It really is Bristol's Bristol, from a company that used to be one of the finest from The Great Britain. With a combination of design, power and rarity the Bristol Fighter T exudes an unrivalled level of Bristolian cool.
The Bristol Fighter T is a supercar that was first produced in 2006. It's a two-seater sports car with a V10 engine. Despite its high price tag, the Bristol Fighter T has been met with mixed reviews. Some people love it and think it's practical enough for everyday use, while others think it's expensive. Here, we will take a look at 10 things you didn't know about the Bristol Fighter T the silent supercar.
9 Its Name Honors A World War II Fighter Jet
The Bristol Fighter T is named after the Bristol F.2 fighter plane from World War I. Bristol Cars says that the car is "inspired" by the Bristol F.2, and it's meant to be a modern-day version of the plane. In case you don't know, the Bristol Company and the F.2 fighter were pivotal to the success of the allies in WWI. Known for its durability, the Bristol F.2 was one of the first aircraft to be equipped with machine guns that fired through the propeller arc. It was also used as a bomber escort, due to its long-range capabilities.
Hence, the Bristol Fighter T pays homage to this piece of British Aviation history with not just its name, but also with some of its design cues. For example, the Bristol Fighter T has round headlamps that are reminiscent of the Bristol F. What a nice start for our Bristol Fighter T review!
8 Founders Had Problems
Bristol's founders, Bono, Liam Gallagher, Tina Turner and Sir Richard Branson did not get along. This led to Bristol's board of directors firing Smith the then CEO in 1947. Bristol would go on to have a rocky financial history, with the company changing hands multiple times over the years. Before being bought by George S. M. White and Tony Crook.
When you thought all was over, Just one month before the introduction of the Bristol 410's replacement, Sir George White was involved in a terrible accident in his 410. White surrendered his primary stake to Crook after deciding that he might never be well enough to work again. However, Cook who was seen as a savior of this Bristol by some sold more than 50% of his stake to Toby Silverton (the present owner) after the unveiling of the flagship of a v10 in honor of Sir George White. Four years after that, he (Cook) completely severed ties with the company.
7 Superb Design With Great Aerodynamics
At first, you might be wondering why a renowned aero plane company decided to venture into the automobile industry, but Bristol's plan was intended to set the pace. It looks like a real supercar, thanks to its low-slung body, long hood, teardrop-shaped interior, and distinctive tail end. The fighter has gull-wing doors, which not only add to the aesthetic factor, but also make it simpler for taller people to enter.
The lack of a rear wing, spoiler, or other aerodynamic add-ons is where the aerodynamic maestro shines, since the body is built to reduce lift when the car is accelerated. This, you can be assured, is one Bristol that will not take off.
6 Produce Less, Demand More: The Rarity Playbook
When you hear of the latest supercars, the reason you saw it in the first place was because of the massive advertisement and probably the huge production numbers. Bristol, on the other hand, has always been the odd one out, producing less than a thousand cars annually. And guess what? They even made more profit than several automobile makers since the financial crisis of 2008 and the recent 2020 pandemic combined.
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This is Bristol's way of saying that they'd rather produce quality over quantity and be remembered for their uniqueness than churn out cars to meet customer demand.
Although it just has one showroom in Kensington, it has a devoted following of customers. And this strategy seems to have worked in Bristol's favor as many of their models are sought-after by collectors and Bristol enthusiasts.
5 Highly Potent And Has Flexible Power Distribution
Bristol has never been one to shy away from power, and the Bristol Fighter T is no different. It houses a twin-turbocharged V10 engine that produces an impressive 525 horsepower. This allows the Bristol Fighter T to go from 0 to 60 mph in just four seconds, with a top speed of 190 mph. With a minimal turning circle of 2.7 revolutions from lock to lock, the 75 per cent Ackerman steering geometry makes this one of the most compact supercars.
The car is surprisingly simple to operate in congested streets thanks to a very flexible power distribution from the gently rumbling engine. The V10 8.3-liter Chrysler engine's torque is so strong that the manual six-forward gearbox's third gear is all that is required. In first gear, the close ratio box permits speeds of up to 100 kph.
4 A Multi-Purpose Supercar
Behind every supercar is a scared owner who devotes much time, money, and resources to maintain his/her baby. Probably the reason why you only see these cars once in a while on the road. Bristol, however, has taken this up a notch by creating a supercar that is not only fast, but can also be used for other purposes.
The Bristol Fighter T is one such vehicle, and it has been designed to provide the best of both worlds. It is a street-legal track car that can be driven on the roads as well as taken to the track and driven at high speeds.
3 Has An Impressive Interior
The Bristol Fighter T is a work of art, both inside and out. The exterior is defined by its aluminum sleek lines and aggressive stance, while the interior is all about luxury and comfort. Bristol has used high-quality materials throughout the car, and it really shows. Everything from the leather seats to the Alcántara steering wheel feels exceptionally premium.
But Bristol doesn't just rely on its good looks to sell cars. It wants its customers to enjoy comfort in all circumstances. That's why Bristol has equipped the Fighter T with a massaging function for the seats, climate control, and an excellent sound system. Customers can select the carpet color and the design of the seats in Bristol, according to several owners, making them similar to custom suits. You'll never want to exit the Bristol Fighter T once you're behind the wheel.
2 Suffered Controversies
The Bristol Fighter T, like any other supercar, has suffered its fair share of controversies. One such controversy was its former founder's involvement in a fatal accident. Bristol was quick to point out that the accident had nothing to do with the car itself and that it was due to the driver's negligence.
Another controversy that Bristol was embroiled in was when a lawyer sued the company for not delivering his Bristol Fighter T on time. The lawyer claimed that he had paid Bristol a total of 20,000 pounds plus an outrageous extra 153,000 pounds for the car's conversion and was supposed to receive it within 18 months. When Bristol failed to deliver the car on time, the lawyer sued them and won the case.
1 Expensive, But Still Your Affordable Supercar Option
The Bristol Fighter T is one of the most expensive cars on the market, with a starting price of $450,000. Bristol Cars says that the high price tag is due to the car being hand-built and its use of exotic materials. But despite its hefty price tag, the Bristol Fighter T is still one of the more affordable options when it comes to supercars. When compared to other cars in its class, such as the Bugatti Chiron and the Koenigsegg Agera RS, the Bristol Fighter T is relatively a bargain.
So if you're in the market for a supercar but don't want to spend a fortune, the Bristol Fighter T should definitely be on your radar... but, are you even sure you'll get one?
Nonetheless, if you're lucky enough to get your hands on a Bristol Fighter T, you'll be the proud owner of one of the most unique and exclusive cars in the world. And that's something that money sometimes can't buy.