Yes, Jensen is Still Around
Say Jensen to any Brit, and they’ll likely picture the Interceptor grand tourer built from the mid-’60s to the mid-’70s. Of course, Jensen’s history goes far beyond that, as it was founded in 1922. They built cars on a fairly regular basis until 1976, paused for nearly 25 years, and tried to produce cars again in 2001 with the Jensen S-V8.
That said, the S-V8 wasn’t exactly a huge hit, and the original company was eventually dissolved in 2011. However, the name is still alive through Jensen International Automotive (JIS), and it has been rescuing and restoring Interceptors since 2011. Now, the company is opening a new chapter with an all-new vehicle.
A Modern Interpretation
JIS has announced that it will build its first-ever vehicle. Given that the Interceptor is its most popular vehicle, perhaps it’s no surprise that it will be a grand tourer inspired by the classic. The company is keen to point out that it will not be a restomod or a continuation series of the ’60s model. Instead, the car will be developed from the ground up utilising JIA’s in-house engineering.
Based on the teaser image, JIS is sticking to its word. The silhouette incorporated the classic long hood, short deck look that has served as the template for many GTs. We can also see some aero elements, namely the front splitter and rear diffuser. Hopefully, the Interceptor’s distinctive glass hatch makes an appearance here.
Jensen International Automotive
What to Expect
JIS says the car will be built on a bespoke aluminum chassis. At the same time, it’ll be powered by an in-house V8, a huge departure from the Chevy LS-powered ‘recommissioned’ Interceptor the company has been building for about 15 years now. There’s no mention of electrification here, which is probably for the best if JIS really wants to capture the spirit of the original.
JIS calls it a “thoroughly modern take on a luxury British GT,” and that it’ll “ensure a fully analogue driving experience.” Each car will be hand-built, so those interested in one shouldn’t expect it to roll out in just a few weeks. It’s not that the lines for it will be really long, though, as it will be a limited-run model. They didn’t say how much each car will cost, but we’re assuming it’ll be at least six figures.
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