Bristol Announces New Model: The Bristol Blenheim 3G

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 foot tall adults can settle comfortable 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 by 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 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 high speed Continental Express, Bristol’s paintstaking 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 weighs almost nothing. Every throttle movement will be answered with 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 coupé. 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 remote 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

 

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