From 1967 until 1976, if you were too quirky to buy a BMW 3.0CS and too tweedy for a Chevy Camaro, you might have purchased a new Jensen Interceptor. Powered by an American big-block V-8 and built in England, the suavely handsome Interceptor (pictured at the bottom of this post) cost a lot more than the aforementioned big coupes and never sold very well. The new Jensen GT seems poised to update all elements of that story.
Images of a clay mock-up, seen here, have been released, along with quite a few details on the car that allegedly will follow. The design appears to pick up where the previous Jensen left off. A “range of bespoke options” is promised for the GT’s cabin, which, like the original Interceptor, will feature two-plus-two seating. Composite and aluminum body panels drape over a steel-backbone space frame and aluminum underpinnings. The control-arm suspension is derived from that of the short-lived Jensen SV8 convertible of the early 2000s—a car that is just one of several examples of failed post-1976 attempts to resuscitate the English brand. LED lighting is promised, although the taillights on the clay model appear to be lifted from the Jaguar F-type. The grille will sport an “ECU controlled variable opening for engine cooling,” so that should be interesting. Nineteen-inch wheels cover big brakes supplied by AP.
Meaty stoppers are necessitated by the extremely muscular powertrain. A 665-hp 6.4-liter supercharged dry-sump V-8 sourced from General Motors powers the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic. Jensen promises a curb weight of less than 3400 pounds.
Some outlets have reported that the GT will be displayed at the upcoming Geneva auto show, but that definitely isn’t the case. “It will be the most anticipated car not at Geneva next week,” a brand spokesman offered via email. “Although work is progressing, we’re not at a stage to release anything else. We’re keen to release more details as soon as possible.”
Early 2016 is the stated time frame for when we should expect to see the real car in the metal. Next year will be a big one for Jensen, which also plans to launch an all-new Interceptor 2 in 2016. That car “may involve collaboration with an established automotive group.” No word yet on whether that means more than borrowed powertrain components.
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This is not, by the way, the same Jensen that made minor rumblings in 2011. Suffice it to say that there have been court battles over the Jensen name. Jensen Group is behind these latest products in development and is working with Jensen International Automotive (JIA)—yet another company that trades off the forty-plus-year-old coupe, building an LS3-powered continuation Interceptor R.
Will the new Jensen GT will be sold in the United States? “In theory,” the spokesman told us. “JIA have a great deal of experience in dealing with international clients. As the GT is built to order, they will liaise with the buyer directly to sort the exact specification and patriate to the country in question.”
The GT is expected to cost “in the region of £350,000” (or $525,000 to $550,000). Sounds steep, but then maybe we’re just not appreciating the special magic that has more than one company attempting to breathe life back into this mostly forgotten marque.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/1Axry2M
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