Bristol Cars launches its first model in 10 years
A decade after its last launch, British luxury automobile company Bristol Cars has unveiled its new speedster model, named the Bristol Bullet (+ slideshow).
The car is hand-built in the UK – as are all vehicles by the company, which manufacturers at low volumes – and its design draws upon Bristol's history as an aeroplane manufacturer.
![Bullet speedster by Bristol Cars](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/bristol-cars-bullet-sports-car-uk_dezeen_936_0.jpg)
Its exterior is made from bespoke carbon-fibre composites, meaning that it retains a high level of strength while being relatively low in weight.
The interior of the car is made from hand-trimmed British hides, while the dashboard panelling is available in either classic wood or herringbone-patterned carbon-fibre weaves.
![Bullet speedster by Bristol Cars](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/bristol-cars-bullet-sports-car-uk_dezeen_936_6.jpg)
Although the aesthetic of the car remains traditional, it has been fitted with contemporary technology like a touch-screen device in the dashboard and a high-quality sound system.
Its powerful engine, which was manufactured by BMW, goes from zero to 62 miles (100 kilometres) per hour in 3.8 seconds, and can reach a top speed of 155 miles (249 kilometres) per hour.
![Bullet speedster by Bristol Cars](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/bristol-cars-bullet-sports-car-uk_dezeen_936_5.jpg)
Julian Ramshaw, the company's general manager, called the Bullet the "ultimate driver's car" and said that it will set the tone for Bristol's future models.
![Bullet speedster by Bristol Cars](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/bristol-cars-bullet-sports-car-uk_dezeen_1568_4.jpg)
The company's first car, named the 400, was built by the car division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1945 in collaboration with British sports car manufacturer Fraser-Nash and BMW.
![Bullet speedster by Bristol Cars](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/bristol-cars-bullet-sports-car-uk_dezeen_936_2.jpg)
Bristol Cars Limited was founded later in 1947 and has since been making luxury cars – some early models of which are still on the road today. In 2011 it nearly became insolvent but was saved by a buyout from holding company Kamkorp.
While Bristol is sticking to conventional cars, BMW is revealing four different concept cars this year under its different brands – including MINI, BMW and Rolls-Royce – as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.
![Bullet speedster by Bristol Cars](https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2016/08/bristol-cars-bullet-sports-car-uk_dezeen_936_9.jpg)
The first, a shapeshifting car with built-in computers that could predict driver desires and behaviour, was unveiled in March 2016.
More recently, it unveiled its vision for a car that changes colour depending on the driver's mood.