Wednesday 25th February 2015

Jensen Group announces new GT

The "next chapter" for Jensen ahead of an all new Interceptor in 2016

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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.

[Pyrolysis]

This looks stunning from the front 3 quarter view! Not so keen on the large overhang at the rear and the F type rear lights.

[North West Tom]

Reeks of bankruptcy.

[Dave Hedgehog]

looks fantastic

i hope they can make it work

[IN51GHT]

why on earth did they choose brown..........

[r11co]

IN51GHT said:

why on earth did they choose brown..........

It's a clay styling model.

Someone go dig out that Sniffpetrol press release please...

[IN51GHT]

r11co said:

IN51GHT said:

why on earth did they choose brown..........

It's a clay styling model.

Someone go dig out that Sniffpetrol press release please...

Hmm, sarcasm not spotted then?

[rodericb]

If anything else they've at least produced a clay model. Usually these things don't get any further than a pencil drawn picture of some gigantic wheels overlayed with swooping lines which look something like a car, along with a wildly optimistic press release promising F1 car rivalling performance, sumptuous luxury and a concierge desk which is contactable anywhere in the world via a diamond inlaid button on the dashboard, and all for a million Euros.

[Dannbodge]

Looked so good until they showed the back end.

What's going on with that overhang.

[alpha channel]

ooo nice, I even quite like the rear overhang and all (barring the lights they've nicked off some poor buggers XF ). Ah brown, the colour of choice for the discerning 70's household.

[JonnyEdwards]

Could that rear end look any more like an F-type?

[DonkeyApple]

Well, it looks lovely. Exactly the sort of sports coupe I like.

That body on something like an XK pan and running gear and a retro interior would be a perfect car for me.

[F1GTRUeno]

They'll make one to parade around car shows, nobody will buy one and then they'll go out of business.

[danjama]

That looks great, many nods to Japanese styling, I can see the Skyline Hako/240z in there.

[briSk]

Ill-proportioned white elephant?

[Fartgalen]

6.4 supercharged V8. That grabbed my attention.

[Matt UK]

Very mustang at the front and jag f-type at the rear.

[JB!]

That 3/4 view is stunning, but the rear overhang... not so much.

[apachesmith]

Looks like a ford mustang.....

[whythem]

apachesmith said:

Looks like a ford mustang.....

Thats what I thought. The original is an iconic fastback, this car is a coupe and not very pretty. However I love the bright brown 70's colour

[remkingston]

Remember this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKgHZRL_ftA