Performance Review: Bristol 411 6.3 V8 - [1969]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bristol 411 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 is the 3 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1969. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1969 McLaren M6 GT 5.7 V8.This particular Bristol 411 has a 6286cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 411 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 411's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1676 kgs (3694 lbs) this makes the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Bristol 411 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 6286cc 16V V8 engine produces 335 bhp (249 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 425 lb-ft (576.2 Nm) @ 3400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bristol 411 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2004 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (224.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bristol 411.

The Bristol 411 has a Power to weight ratio of 199.8 bhp per ton and 253.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1969 411 competing with the 2004 Mercedes C Class 55 AMG (224.4 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel VXR8 6.0 V8 (224.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Bristol 411 generating around 253.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Mercedes GT AMG Roadster (278.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2011 Ferrari 458 Spider 4.5 V8 (278.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.2 secs, this made the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 as fast as the 2020 Alfa-Romeo Giulia 2.2 16v Turbo Diesel (7.00 secs) the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (7.00 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 1.8 FR Start-Stop DSG (7.00 secs) the or the 2012 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Cabriolet DSG (7.00 secs). This Bristol 411 6.3 V8 is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the and the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 411 and the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport

When talking about the performance of the Bristol 411 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.12 secs @ 96.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (14.05 secs), the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (14.05 secs), and the 2004 Porsche Boxster S 3.2 987 (14.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1969 version of the Bristol 411 6.3 V8 has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 1969 411 equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

1969 411 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bristol

Car Comparison