Bristol Blenheim Speedster: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Bristol Blenheim Speedster was produced from 2003 to 2011 in one generation with a Speedster body and three listed versions. The choice is between the 2003–2006 5.9 AT with 385 hp, the 2006–2007 5.7 AT with 370 hp, and the 2007–2011 5.9 AT with 394 hp. All three share RWD, an Automatic gearbox, a 5.2-second 0–100 km/h time, a 257 km/h top speed, and a 1,395 kg kerb weight.
The Bristol Blenheim Speedster was produced from 2003 to 2011 in one generation with a Speedster body and three listed versions. The choice is between the 2003–2006 5.9 AT with 385 hp, the 2006–2007 5.7 AT with 370 hp, and the 2007–2011 5.9 AT with 394 hp. All three share RWD, an Automatic gearbox, a 5.2-second 0–100 km/h time, a 257 km/h top speed, and a 1,395 kg kerb weight. On the supplied numbers, the later 394 hp 5.9 AT is the strongest performance choice, while the 5.7 AT is distinguished mainly by its 5-speed Automatic gearbox rather than by greater speed.
Bristol Blenheim Speedster generations and versions
There is one Bristol Blenheim Speedster generation, built from 2003 to 2011. It uses the Speedster body and contains three versions, including two versions with the same 5.9 AT name. They must be distinguished by output and production period: the 2003–2006 5.9 AT produces 385 hp, while the 2007–2011 5.9 AT produces 394 hp. Between them, the 2006–2007 5.7 AT produces 370 hp.
There is therefore no comparison between separate generations: every listed car belongs to the same generation. The meaningful changes happened within it. The 5.7 AT reduced displacement from 5,898 cm³ to 5,654 cm³ and changed from a 4-speed to a 5-speed Automatic gearbox. The later 5.9 AT returned to 5,898 cm³ and a 4-speed Automatic gearbox, while raising output to 394 hp.
Bristol Blenheim Speedster engine and specs
| Version | Production | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.9 AT, 385 hp | 2003–2006 | 385 hp (287 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 530 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 5,898 cm³ | Gasoline, 95 | 8 | V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 5.7 AT, 370 hp | 2006–2007 | 370 hp (276 kW) at 5,000 rpm | 530 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 5,654 cm³ | Gasoline, 95 | 8 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 5.9 AT, 394 hp | 2007–2011 | 394 hp (294 kW) at 6,000 rpm | 529 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 5,898 cm³ | Gasoline, 95 | 8 | V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
Each version has a front, longitudinal engine with Distributed injection (multi-point), 2 valves per cylinder, and a 9.25 compression ratio. The 385 hp and 394 hp 5.9 AT versions use a 101.6 × 90.93 bore and stroke, whereas the 5.7 AT uses 99.5 × 90.9.
The numerical differences are small but useful when choosing. The 5.7 AT develops approximately 65.4 hp per litre. The earlier 385 hp 5.9 AT produces approximately 65.3 hp per litre, while the later 394 hp 5.9 AT reaches approximately 66.8 hp per litre. The later 5.9 AT therefore has the highest specific output.
Torque does not separate the versions in a meaningful way. The earlier 5.9 AT and the 5.7 AT both produce 530 Nm at 4,000 rpm; the later 5.9 AT produces 529 Nm at the same engine speed. The later car gains 24 hp over the 5.7 AT, but has 1 Nm less torque.
Performance, fuel economy and mpg
All three Bristol Blenheim Speedster versions have the same recorded acceleration and maximum speed:
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.9 AT, 385 hp | 5.2 seconds | 257 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 5.7 AT, 370 hp | 5.2 seconds | 257 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 5.9 AT, 394 hp | 5.2 seconds | 257 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The additional power of the later 5.9 AT does not buy a better recorded 0–100 km/h result or a higher recorded top speed. Compared with the 385 hp 5.9 AT, it adds 9 hp, or about 2.3%, while the listed performance figures remain unchanged. Compared with the 5.7 AT, it adds 24 hp, or about 6.5%, again without changing either recorded performance figure.
City, highway, and combined fuel consumption are not measured for any version, so no evidence-based mpg comparison is possible. CO₂ output and ecological class are also not measured. The shared 136-litre fuel tank does not establish driving range because consumption is unavailable.
Dimensions, weight and chassis specs
Dimensions are not measured in the supplied data. Wheel sizes are also not measured for the 385 hp 5.9 AT, the 5.7 AT, and the 394 hp 5.9 AT.
The recorded weight and chassis specifications are identical across all three versions:
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.9 AT, 385 hp | 1,395 kg | 1,615 kg | 140 mm | 136 litres | not measured |
| 5.7 AT, 370 hp | 1,395 kg | 1,615 kg | 140 mm | 136 litres | not measured |
| 5.9 AT, 394 hp | 1,395 kg | 1,615 kg | 140 mm | 136 litres | not measured |
Each version uses Independent, spring suspension at the front and rear, with Disc brakes at both ends. The difference between gross and kerb weight is 220 kg for every version.
Because kerb weight is constant, power-to-weight calculations clearly rank the engines. The 5.7 AT carries approximately 3.77 kg per horsepower. The earlier 385 hp 5.9 AT improves that to approximately 3.62 kg per horsepower, and the later 394 hp 5.9 AT leads at approximately 3.54 kg per horsepower. Expressed per tonne, the three figures are approximately 265 hp, 276 hp, and 282 hp respectively.
Bristol Blenheim Speedster problems and reliability
Reliability, maintenance history, component durability, and known problems are not measured in the supplied data. The specifications therefore cannot support a claim that one 5.9 AT is more reliable than the 5.7 AT, or that the 4-speed Automatic is more durable than the 5-speed Automatic.
A buying decision should not infer condition from production period alone. The available data can compare engines, gearboxes, weight, and performance, but it contains no inspection results, service records, repair frequencies, or reliability ratings.
Which Bristol Blenheim Speedster version should you buy?
Choose the 394 hp 5.9 AT from 2007–2011 if the objective is the strongest specification. It has the highest output at 394 hp, the best power per litre at approximately 66.8 hp, and the best weight-to-power ratio at approximately 3.54 kg per horsepower. Its 529 Nm torque figure is 1 Nm below the other two versions, and it retains the 4-speed Automatic gearbox. Its recorded 5.2-second acceleration and 257 km/h top speed, however, are no better than those of the alternatives.
Choose the 5.7 AT from 2006–2007 if the 5-speed Automatic gearbox is the deciding specification. It is the only listed version with 5 gears. Its 5,654 cm³ engine is 244 cm³ smaller than either 5,898 cm³ engine, and its 370 hp output is 15 hp below the earlier 5.9 AT and 24 hp below the later one. Despite those differences, it matches both 5.9 AT versions at 5.2 seconds to 100 km/h and 257 km/h.
Choose the 385 hp 5.9 AT from 2003–2006 if you want the earlier 5,898 cm³ specification and do not need the later car’s extra 9 hp. It produces 530 Nm, matching the 5.7 AT and exceeding the later 5.9 AT by 1 Nm. Its approximately 3.62 kg-per-horsepower ratio places it between the other versions, while its measured acceleration and top speed remain identical to both.
On specifications alone, the later 394 hp 5.9 AT is the rational first choice because it delivers the most power from the same 1,395 kg kerb weight. The 5.7 AT offers the clearest mechanical distinction through its 5-speed Automatic gearbox, not through superior measured performance. No price or sale data is supplied, so the extra money required for any version—and whether its numerical advantages justify that premium—cannot be measured.