The denouement is happening in geologic time, but it looks like historic British carmaker Bristol will be resurrected with a hybrid supercar courtesy of another historic former British carmaker, Frazer-Nash. Four years ago, Frazer-Nash, now a Swiss company specializing in hybrid and alternative drivetrains, showed off the Namir concept designed by Guigiaro. After Bristol went bankrupt in 2011 it was bought by Kamkorp Autokraft, the parent company of Frazer-Nash with plans to make a hybrid supercar.
The Namir was a series hybrid with a total of 362 horsepower, a 0-to-62 mile per hour acceleration time of 3.5 seconds, a claimed top speed of 187 mph and 91.7 US miles per gallon. The new Bristol could employ the same powertrain, according to a report in Autocar, “a compact rotary” that powers the lithium ion battery pack, that powering the electric motor driving all four wheels.
We might not be close to the finish – Frazer-Nash hasn’t said when this new Bristol will arrive, nor who will design it. It has said, though, that it has “firm intention” to build the car.
