Bristol Bullet revealed to celebrate 70-year anniversary
The anticipated new Bristol Bullet speedster, the British luxury car maker’s first new model since 2003, has been revealed this week to mark the company’s 70th anniversary.
Known for its hand-built luxury cars, Bristol Cars is the last remaining descendent of the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which was a major aircraft manufacturer founded in the early 1900s. However, Bristol Cars went into administration in 2011.
The company says the Bullet signifies the rebirth of the brand, while paying tribute to Bristol’s rich heritage in aviation, commercial and luxury automobiles.
At the heart of the winged speedster is a BMW-sourced 4.8-litre V8 engine, producing 275kW of power and 490Nm of torque.
Weighing in at just 1250 kilograms, the Bristol Bullet shoots from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 250km/h.
Dubbed ‘Hercules’, the Bullet’s V8 engine is named after the 1939 Bristol Hercules 14-cylinder radial aircraft engine - which back in the day produced 1300 horsepower (969kW).
The Bullet’s classic body shape is crafted from ‘bespoke’ carbon-fibre composites, helping, the company says, to achieve high strength, rigidity and low weight.
Bristol says the car’s exterior design cues such as the wings, front grille and bonnet all hark back to the company’s roots as an aeroplane manufacturer.
Adding to the old-meets-new theme is the car’s interior, which again focuses on a chrome-rich retro look trimmed in British leather, wood and carbon-fibre.
Housed in the dashboard is a touchscreen infotainment system which features digital radio, smartphone mirroring, bluetooth and a WiFi hotspot.
Before being officially unveiled as the Bristol Bullet, the car made a camouflaged appearance at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed named ‘Bristol Project Pinnacle’.
The Bristol Bullet will be available from the company’s sole showroom on Kensington High Street in London.
Click the photos tab for more images of the Bristol Bullet
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