ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəli ɪntˈɛndᵻd təbi dˈɛzɪɡnˌeɪɾᵻd ðə bɹˈɪstəl ˈɛntˈaɪp, ðə tʃˈæsi bɪkˌeɪm nˈoʊn æz ðə bɹˈɪstəl vˌiːˈɑːɹ, ɐn ɐbɹˌiːvɪˈeɪʃən fɔːɹ vˈɜːɾɪkəl ɹˈɪɹ, ɐ ɹˈɛfɹəns tə ðə lˈeɪaʊt ʌvðɪ ˈɛndʒɪn.
Originally intended to be designated the Bristol N-type, the chassis became known as the Bristol VR, an abbreviation for Vertical Rear, a reference to the layout of the engine.