Tag Archives: Jensen Interceptor

NEW CARS

Jensen Interceptor Returns With a 900-HP GTX

Jensen is bringing one of Britain’s most evocative automotive names back to life. The legendary Jensen Interceptor name has been secured by Jensen International, which is now developing an entirely new high-performance grand tourer designed to revive the spirit of the original Interceptor while taking the brand into a far more exclusive and performance-focused future.

The first step is the Jensen Interceptor GTX, a dramatic two-door track-focused coupe packing a supercharged 6.8-liter V8, 900 horsepower, rear-wheel drive and a lightweight aluminium construction. Although the GTX is currently designed primarily as a track and development car, Jensen says it will ultimately lead to a family of road-legal Interceptor models aimed squarely at the territory occupied by the Aston Martin DB12 and Bentley Continental GT.

For Jensen, however, the new Interceptor is about more than simply reviving a famous name.

It is an attempt to establish a new generation of bespoke British grand tourers.

The Jensen Interceptor Is Back

Jensen International, known for restoring and modifying classic Jensen Interceptors and Range Rover Classics, has been developing the new Interceptor concept for some time.

According to Jensen’s Durran Heslop, the project is an idea that has “been lurking for a long time.” The company has now moved beyond the conceptual stage with a near-complete prototype that will undergo an intensive six-month testing and development programme.

The project has also benefited from a partnership with US-based automotive retailer Jeff Quale. His father, Kjell Quale, was once Jensen’s majority shareholder. Together, the partners have invested approximately £1.3 million to bring the new Interceptor project to its current stage.

The company is now using the GTX as a development platform and, importantly, as a way to gauge potential customer interest before committing to full-scale production.

That makes the car something of a test case for Jensen’s future.

900-HP Supercharged V8 Power

The headline specification of the Jensen Interceptor GTX is its engine.

Under the long bonnet sits a heavily modified GM LS-based 6.8-liter supercharged V8 producing approximately 900 horsepower. Jensen says only around 20 percent of the original engine remains, highlighting the extent of the modifications.

The company also believes the powertrain could eventually be developed to produce as much as 1,200 horsepower.

Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a transaxle, giving the Interceptor GTX a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration that should appeal to traditional performance-car enthusiasts.

The current prototype uses a six-speed sequential manual transmission with both paddle shifters and a conventional central shift lever.

For a road-going luxury GT, such a transmission would be an unusual choice. For a track-focused development car, however, it makes considerably more sense.

Aluminium Construction Keeps Weight Under Control

Despite its substantial dimensions, Jensen is targeting a claimed weight of approximately 1,650kg.

The Interceptor GTX measures roughly 5.2 meters long and 2 meters wide, making it a large machine even by modern grand touring standards. Jensen says weight distribution is an ideal 50:50 front-to-rear.

The body is constructed from hand-finished aluminium and mounted over an extruded aluminium chassis. Jensen acknowledges that the architecture incorporates proprietary components sourced from other manufacturers, a construction philosophy also used by established sports-car manufacturers such as Aston Martin and Lotus.

The suspension, meanwhile, is largely Jensen’s own design.

At each corner is double-wishbone suspension paired with adjustable Nitron dampers, giving the GTX the hardware required for serious track development.

Built Like a Race Car

The current Jensen Interceptor GTX is not pretending to be a conventional luxury grand tourer.

Its cabin is deliberately stripped back and incorporates Motec electronics, carbon-fibre seats, racing harnesses and an FIA-compliant roll cage. Polycarbonate windows further emphasize its track-focused character.

There is also a race-specification fuel tank, reinforcing the fact that the GTX is effectively a high-performance development and track machine rather than a conventional road car.

The braking system is supplied by AP Racing and uses steel discs with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston units at the rear.

The car rides on 20-inch alloy wheels, with 275/40 Michelin Pilot Sport tires at the front and enormous 345/30 rubber at the rear.

Aerodynamics are equally serious.

A large carbon-fibre rear wing works with a substantial diffuser, side skirts and front splitter to generate additional aerodynamic performance. Jensen’s official images also show how dramatically the aerodynamic package will be toned down when the road-going versions arrive.

From Track GTX to Road-Going GT

The GTX is only the beginning.

Jensen plans to develop the Interceptor into a range of road-legal cars, with the company describing two key future variants as the GTR and GT.

The GTR will be positioned as what Jensen managing director David Duerden calls a “track-forward road car.” The GT, meanwhile, will be the more luxurious and road-oriented version.

That distinction could become one of the most interesting aspects of the new Interceptor family.

Rather than simply producing a single model with different performance specifications, Jensen appears to be considering the Interceptor as a platform that can span the gap between an extreme performance machine and a luxury grand tourer.

The Road-Going Jensen Interceptor Will Have Four Doors

Perhaps the biggest departure from the original Interceptor concept is the planned configuration of the road cars.

While the GTX is a two-door coupe, Jensen’s future road-legal Interceptors are expected to feature four doors and four seats.

The company describes the car as a four-door GT, with proportions and packaging that bring to mind cars such as the Aston Martin Rapide.

That means the new Jensen Interceptor will not simply be a modern interpretation of the classic two-door Interceptor.

Instead, Jensen wants to create a luxury grand tourer capable of combining serious performance with genuine everyday usability.

“The idea is that it’s formatted as a road car,” Duerden explained. “It’s intended to be a four-door GT.”

Jensen Targets Aston Martin and Bentley

Jensen is under no illusion about the market it is entering.

The road-going Interceptor will occupy the upper end of the luxury GT segment, with Jensen specifically identifying Aston Martin and Bentley as its principal points of comparison.

The company’s positioning places the Interceptor in the same broad sphere as the Aston Martin DB12 and Bentley Continental GT, although Jensen intends to differentiate itself through limited production, bespoke construction and the heritage associated with the Interceptor name.

The challenge will be considerable.

Aston Martin and Bentley have decades of experience developing luxury GTs, while Jensen will be returning to the new-car market with a much smaller production operation.

But that exclusivity could also become the Interceptor’s greatest advantage.

Jensen Interceptor GTX Price

Jensen has not finalized production numbers or pricing for the new Interceptor range.

However, the company estimates that a track-focused GTX built to the specification of the current demonstrator would cost approximately £850,000 to £950,000, depending on final specification.

Interestingly, Jensen expects the road-going Interceptor to cost less than the GTX.

That may sound counterintuitive, but the current GTX is effectively a highly specialized, low-volume development and track car loaded with expensive competition hardware.

The future road car will instead prioritize luxury, usability and refinement.

Even so, Jensen is clearly targeting a highly exclusive market.

Limited Production Is Likely

Production plans remain under discussion.

Jensen could potentially manufacture limited numbers of the Interceptor at its headquarters in Banbury, although the company has not ruled out producing the car elsewhere.

The current prototype is therefore being treated as a “toe in the water” exercise.

The company wants to establish whether there is sufficient demand before committing to a larger manufacturing programme.

That approach makes sense for a vehicle that could cost close to seven figures in its most extreme configuration.

Rather than attempting to compete with established manufacturers on volume, Jensen is likely to rely on exclusivity, customization and craftsmanship.

A New Chapter for Jensen

Jensen’s experience with classic vehicles provides an important foundation for the project.

Jensen International has already restored or modified more than 50 Interceptors and Range Rover Classics, giving the company considerable experience with the original cars and their owners.

Its previous work has also included highly ambitious engineering projects such as the 800-volt battery-electric Range Rover Chieftain, demonstrating that the company is not afraid to combine classic design with modern technology.

The new Interceptor represents a considerably bigger challenge.

This is not simply a restoration or restomod programme. Jensen is developing an entirely new vehicle, including its chassis, suspension, body and powertrain integration.

As Duerden puts it, the demonstrator gets the company to a point from which it can determine where the eventual road car should go.

Six Months of Testing Will Shape the Final Car

The Jensen Interceptor GTX is now scheduled to enter approximately six months of track testing and development.

During that period, Jensen will evaluate the car’s performance and durability while also monitoring reactions from potential customers.

That feedback could influence the final specifications of the road-going models.

The company remains deliberately flexible about the project, with Duerden asking a fundamental question: what does the world want from a Jensen?

That may ultimately determine whether the production Interceptor becomes primarily a luxury GT, a performance-focused grand tourer or something that occupies a niche between the two.

The New Jensen Interceptor Could Be Britain’s Most Unusual GT

The revival of the Jensen Interceptor name comes at an interesting time for the luxury performance-car market.

Traditional grand tourers are increasingly being joined by high-performance hybrids and electric vehicles, while ultra-low-volume manufacturers are finding opportunities at the very top of the market.

Jensen is taking a different route.

The new Interceptor GTX combines a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with a heavily modified supercharged V8, manual sequential transmission and aluminium construction. At the same time, the eventual road car is expected to deliver four-door practicality and the level of luxury expected from an Aston Martin or Bentley rival.

If Jensen can successfully transform the brutal 900-hp GTX into a refined four-door GT without losing its character, the new Interceptor could become one of the most distinctive British performance cars of the coming years.

For now, however, the GTX is the beginning of the story.

Jensen has built its prototype, secured the Interceptor name and invested heavily in the project. The next six months of testing will determine whether this ambitious revival can move from an intriguing demonstrator to a genuine production car.

One thing is already clear: the Jensen Interceptor is no longer just a name from Britain’s automotive past. It is being prepared for a second act.

Jensen Interceptor GTX: Key Specifications

  • Model: Jensen Interceptor GTX
  • Body style: Two-door coupe
  • Engine: GM LS-based 6.8-liter supercharged V8
  • Power: 900 hp
  • Potential future output: Up to 1,200 hp
  • Transmission: Six-speed sequential manual
  • Drivetrain: Front engine, rear-wheel drive
  • Chassis: Extruded aluminium architecture
  • Body: Hand-finished aluminium
  • Suspension: Double wishbones front and rear
  • Dampers: Adjustable Nitron
  • Brakes: AP Racing steel discs
  • Front calipers: Six-piston
  • Rear calipers: Four-piston
  • Wheels: 20-inch alloy
  • Front tires: 275/40 Michelin Pilot Sport
  • Rear tires: 345/30 Michelin Pilot Sport
  • Length: Approximately 5.2 meters
  • Width: Approximately 2 meters
  • Weight: Approximately 1,650kg
  • Weight distribution: 50:50 front/rear
  • Construction: Two-seat track/development car
  • Estimated GTX price: £850,000–£950,000
  • Future road cars: GTR and GT
  • Planned road-car configuration: Four doors, four seats
  • Development programme: Approximately six months of testing

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

Jensen Interceptor Returns as a Track-Only Supercar with an Analog Soul

Some automotive legends refuse to stay buried. The Jensen Interceptor is one of them.

After years of lovingly reengineering classic Interceptors and the groundbreaking FF through high-end restomod programs, Oxfordshire-based Jensen International Automotive (JIA) is aiming considerably higher. Its next chapter isn’t another restoration or retro-inspired grand tourer—it’s a track-focused supercar called the Interceptor GTX, and it promises something that’s becoming increasingly rare in the modern performance-car landscape: an unapologetically analog driving experience.

In an era dominated by electric hypercars, torque-vectoring computers, and steering systems that sometimes feel like they’re filtering reality through software, the GTX appears to be heading in the opposite direction.

And that’s exactly the point.

Analog Is the New Exotic

JIA describes the Interceptor GTX as an entirely new machine rather than a continuation of the original car. While its styling will undoubtedly pay homage to the iconic British GT of the 1960s and ’70s, everything underneath is being developed from scratch.

The foundation will consist of an aluminum chassis wrapped in lightweight aluminum bodywork, while motivation comes courtesy of a supercharged V8 that JIA describes as a bespoke powerplant. Exact specifications remain under wraps, but the company’s messaging makes one thing abundantly clear: outright numbers aren’t the headline.

The experience is.

JIA says the GTX will deliver a “fully analogue driving experience,” a phrase that’s become automotive catnip for enthusiasts who miss the days before digital intervention became mandatory equipment. While the company hasn’t officially confirmed transmission options, the emphasis on analog suggests that a manual gearbox and traditional physical controls are very much part of the vision.

That’s refreshing. In a marketplace where touchscreens increasingly replace buttons and software often dictates how a performance car behaves, Jensen seems determined to let drivers do the driving.

Built for the Circuit, Born for Something Bigger

The GTX won’t be road legal—at least not initially.

Instead, it serves as the halo model for an entirely new Interceptor family. Think of it as the most extreme interpretation of JIA’s engineering philosophy, with road-going variants expected to follow later in progressively more usable forms.

It’s a strategy that mirrors how many modern supercar manufacturers establish credibility. Start with the uncompromising flagship, then expand into models capable of surviving everyday roads without sacrificing the DNA established by the range topper.

For Jensen, it’s also an opportunity to redefine what the Interceptor name means in the 21st century.

A Historic Name Returns

If all goes according to plan, the GTX will become the first all-new Jensen since the S-V8 debuted in 2001.

That car earned praise from reviewers for its performance and character but never found commercial success. Production totaled just 40 examples, including development cars, while only 23 ultimately reached paying customers.

This revival, however, appears considerably more ambitious.

One notable figure involved is Jeff Qvale, whose father, Kjell Qvale, owned Jensen Motors between 1970 and 1976. As a key partner in the project, Jeff Qvale has described the GTX as a car that will “set new benchmarks” while delivering the “pure, high-performance, ultra-analogue driving experience that discerning clientele are now demanding.”

Whether that demand is large enough to sustain a niche British manufacturer remains an open question. But it’s difficult to argue with the timing. As manufacturers race toward electrification and increasing automation, there’s a growing segment of collectors and enthusiasts willing to pay handsomely for cars that prioritize mechanical connection over computational perfection.

Countdown to an Anniversary

JIA hasn’t announced a formal reveal date, but Managing Director David Duerden has pointed toward the 60th anniversary of the original Interceptor’s unveiling, strongly suggesting the covers could come off before year’s end.

That timing would be fitting. Few names in British motoring carry the same blend of understated elegance and V8-powered charisma as the Interceptor. Reviving it as a stripped-back, track-focused machine rather than another luxury grand tourer is an unexpected twist—but perhaps exactly what’s needed.

If the Interceptor GTX delivers on its promises, Jensen won’t simply be reviving an old badge.

It may remind the automotive world that, in the age of algorithms and electrification, the most exciting technology is still a supercharged V8, three pedals, and a driver making every decision.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

The Jensen Interceptor Is Back—and This Time It’s Packing American V-8 Thunder Again

Some names never really die. They just wait for the right moment—and the right engine—to come roaring back. The Jensen Interceptor, one of Britain’s most charismatic muscle-bound grand tourers, is officially set for resurrection, nearly 50 years after the last original rolled off the line. And yes, it’s bringing a V-8 with it.

The reborn Interceptor comes courtesy of Jensen International Automotive (JIA), a Banbury-based outfit best known for painstakingly restoring and reimagining classic Interceptors into modern restomods like the Interceptor R. This time, though, JIA isn’t reworking history—it’s writing a fresh chapter. The upcoming GT is the company’s first clean-sheet design, a fully new car that merely tips its hat to the past.

Production will be extremely limited—“ultra-low,” in JIA’s words—which is shorthand for don’t ask the price unless you already know you can afford it. Hand-built in Britain, the new Interceptor positions itself as an ultra-high-performance luxury GT aimed squarely at drivers who think the word “analogue” is a compliment.

That philosophy should resonate with anyone tired of capacitive sliders and menu-diving. JIA promises a fully analogue driving experience, which strongly suggests a manual gearbox and a cabin heavy on real switches and physical controls—much like the original Interceptor, only without the 1960s build tolerances.

Under that long hood will be a familiar but formidable powerplant. While final specs haven’t been released, Autocar reports that the car will be based around the latest Chevrolet Corvette’s 6.2-liter V-8. In stock form, that engine produces 495 horsepower and 452 pound-feet of torque, but JIA says the powertrain will be “bespoke,” which likely means tuning, calibration, and possibly hardware changes tailored specifically to this car’s GT mission.

That transatlantic engine choice is entirely in keeping with tradition. The original Interceptor relied on a big-block Chrysler V-8—6.3 liters initially—making around 250 horsepower and pushing the car to nearly 140 mph, serious numbers for its era. The new car aims to honor that same formula: British luxury and style, American displacement and punch.

The chassis will be a lightweight aluminum structure, a modern foundation designed to keep mass in check and maximize the power-to-weight ratio. No curb weight figures yet, but the intent is clear: this won’t be a soft boulevard cruiser masquerading as a performance car.

Design details are still under wraps, but the first official image confirms that JIA understands what made the Interceptor visually iconic. Expect a long bonnet, a raked roofline, and a low, muscular stance—classic GT proportions interpreted through a modern lens rather than a retro caricature.

Managing director David Duerden says JIA is “taking the theme of the luxury British GT to fresh, thoroughly modern heights,” while emphasizing that the car will stand as an all-new machine rather than a nostalgic remake. That’s the right call. Icons survive by evolving, not by pretending time stopped in 1971.

As for when we’ll see it in the metal, no official debut date has been announced. Still, given JIA’s emphasis on British identity, a reveal at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this July would make perfect sense. Fast cars, loud engines, historic names reborn—it’s exactly the kind of setting where the Interceptor belongs.

Half a century on, the Jensen Interceptor is returning not as a museum piece, but as a modern GT with old-school values: big engine, rear-drive attitude, and a driver-first mindset. And frankly, we could use more cars like that.

Source: Jensen Motors