The Dodge Viper's legendary V10 has found an unlikely second act in Britain. Bristol Cars has returned with the Fighter, an ultra-rare two-seat supercar that pairs an 8.0-liter Viper-derived engine with gullwing doors and the sort of exclusivity that makes ordinary limited editions look mass-produced.The relaunch took place earlier this week at Salon Privé in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, England. Bristol displayed the first finished car from a five-car revival program, but this is not a clean-sheet remake. The company is completing five unused chassis left over from the original Fighter project.Five Chassis, Four Chances to Own OneOne car is now complete. Four chassis remain, and customers will be able to specify those cars in either right- or left-hand drive. The show car uses right-hand drive, black exterior paint, and a tan interior, giving it the visual restraint expected from Bristol while the hardware does the loud bit.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe engine that powers the new Fighter is derived from the iconic setup that made the original model what it was, featuring a front-mounted 8.0-liter V10 engine that has its origins in the Dodge Viper. Bristol lists 525 bhp in standard form, with a 600-bhp version available for buyers who presumably feel that a ten-cylinder British coupe needs additional justification.The company gives the Fighter a claimed top speed of 210 mph. That figure comes from Bristol rather than an independent test, but the mechanical ambition is clear. This is a two-seat coupe with gullwing doors, Viper muscle, and none of the usual concern for blending into traffic.Bristol has indicated that an undisclosed specialist partner in the UK will be responsible for the car's production. Prices, build timing, and customer identities have not been announced. That leaves four cars available in theory, with the important details still residing somewhere behind the curtain.Bristol's Second Life Starts With Its Last CarThe original Fighter arrived in 2004 as Bristol's final new model.AdvertisementAdvertisementBristol's history can be traced back to the Bristol Aeroplane Company, which produced its first car, the 400, in 1946. The 2026 return therefore lands 80 years after that beginning, although Bristol is reviving the most outrageous chapter of its history rather than starting with a quiet executive saloon.Paul King, Bristol Cars' owner and director, said, "Bringing Bristol Cars back is about far more than reviving a name; it is about bringing back the spirit of a marque that has always stood apart." He added, "We want to honour its heritage while giving Bristol a future that is every bit as distinctive."
