This mighty engine drives the rear wheels through either a four-speed auto or a six-speed Tremec manual gearbox. Cabin-adjustable traction control is standard.

Bristol says the Fighter's chassis was designed from scratch and is 'exceptionally stiff and strong'. The chassis' sill boxes and cross-members are made of steel, as is the roof structure. However, the floor is of structural aluminium honeycomb sheet and the front and rear bulkheads are made from sheet aluminium. Most of the unstressed inner structure is also aluminium. The doors and the tailgate are carbonfibre and the rest of the body panels are hand-beaten alloy. The upshot is a lithe all-up weight of 1475kg.

As befits a car spawned from the Bristol Aeroplane company, the Fighter is claimed to have exceptional aerodynamics. A spokesman said: 'The Fighter is one of very few cars ever designed where aerodynamic efficiency has been placed ahead of all other considerations. Maintaining stable and precise driver control at speeds higher than those at which even the heaviest aircraft becomes airborne requires a level of aerodynamic expertise which is beyond the understanding of all but a few specialist companies.' A bold pitch, undoubtedly.

Underneath the individual lines is fully independent wishbone suspension, with fabricated steel wishbones with extra bracing and widely-spaced mounting points. The front and rear uprights are machined from solid aluminium billets. Springing is said to be softer than the supercar norm.

That practicality brief includes 'cabin space for a driver up to 6ft 7in', a full-size spare, a 100-litre fuel tank, 'room for three sets of golf clubs' and the turning circle of a 'London taxi'. It can also wade through water up to 12in deep, should flood performance concern you.

The Fighter goes into production 'engineered to strict aerospace standards' later this year with a price tag of ΂£205,625.