It's probably best to deal with the politics of a new Jensen first. This GT is the creation of Jensen Group and will be built through an agreement between it and Jensen International Automotive (JIA), well known for its modified original Interceptors. None of the companies that comprise the Jensen Group or or JIA is affiliated with the Jensen Car Company. We all clear?
Prototype is in the works...
Right then, the car itself. The GT is the first officially sanctioned Jensen since the
SV-8
disappeared in the early 2000s and will officially "fill the gap between the last true Jensen, the Interceptor of 1976, and an all-new, state-of-the-art car due to be revealed in 2016." That car will be the, er, Interceptor 2, a modern reinterpretation of the Interceptor and a car "which may involve collaboration with an established automotive group". Hmm...
You will notice the GT is a stylistic link between the old and new as well, with clear influence (again) from the original Interceptor. There's a spaceframe chassis integrated with a composite structure with the whole thing handbuilt. Suspension, brakes and steering are rather worryingly described as 'SV8-derived' with power coming from a GM 6.4-litre supercharged V8. The specification also incorporates parts used in JIA's reworked Interceptors.
Available with a six-speed manual or six-speed auto, Jensen claims the GT will give "impressive performance"; with 674hp and 630lbft, plus a 1,530kg kerbweight, that shouldn't be an issue! Apparently the "retro element" will be in the styling and finish rather than vehicle dynamics. Nice to know with nearly 700hp.
As is the way with low-volume, handbuilt stuff there will be a lot of bespoke elements to each GT. There is a prototype currently under construction with first cars due in 2016. When the all-new Interceptor is set for release... Still, if the Speedback GT isn't the retro reincarnation for you then this GT could be just the thing. And it's a fair chunk cheaper too, with £350K (!) predicted.