Jensen Interceptor to launch in 2016

A name thought lost to the UK automotive industry back in the 1970s is being revived with the announcement by the Jensen Group of its first product, the Jensen GT.

Led by executive chairman and former Aston Martin boss Tim Hearley (pictured), the new firm – bearing an old name – plans to re-assume its place in the British market as a manufacturer of grand touring cars for the well-heeled. We know, you've heard it all before, but Hearley reckons this time it's for sure.

"This represents the next chapter of Jensen and, as we look to the future, we want Jensen enthusiasts to help us celebrate as we unveil a completely new car and outline our plans for the future," Hearley was quoted saying in a press release issued this week.

According to the firm, the Jensen GT (pictured in clay form) is an officially sanctioned car that will be available for purchase. The plan is for the GT to fill the void between the last of the true Interceptor models from 1976 and the new Interceptor 2, due next year.

Interceptor 2 will be hitting the market 40 years after the demise of the original firm and the 440CID Chrysler V8-engined Interceptor III, which was available in both convertible and coupe form (the latter the better known, for its massive lift-back rear window).

The history of the Jensen brand has been convoluted in recent years. Two brothers – Alan and Richard Jensen – formed the original company in 1934. Richard died in 1977, around a year after the company was wound up, but Alan lived on until 1994. During the period the company was operating, it produced a series of passenger cars and commercial vehicles, but focused all its attention after the war on grand tourers.

The first Interceptor was a bulbous looking two-door built during the 1950s, followed subsequently by the pioneering 541, which was constructed in fibreglass – an innovation at the time. Later in the 1960s the CV8 followed, and then the Carrozzeria Touring-styled Interceptor still remembered today.

Jensen frequently purchased American V8 drivetrains for their cars, and the 'Touring' Interceptor was no different. When it launched at the end of the 1960s, it was powered by Chrysler's 383CID V8 (replaced in later models by the 440) driving to the rear wheels through a Torqueflite automatic – also supplied by Chrysler. The blend of simple American mechanicals and lavish British craftsmanship was relatively rare at the time, although Bristol was another company based in the UK offering expensive cars with low-cost American engineering under the bonnet. It was a model later copied by the Italians (De Tomaso) and the Swiss (Monteverdi).

After Jensen closed its doors in 1976, there were at least two attempts to re-establish the name – one legitimate, the other not so much. This latest attempt is reportedly the real deal.

There's no word as yet concerning the drivetrain for Interceptor 2 or the GT, but we'd lay money on the cylinder count numbering eight – arranged in a vee configuration. The company has hinted it will seek the assistance of "an established automotive group".

UK magazine Autocar has reported that the price of the Jensen GT could be as high as £350,000 or more. That, unfortunately, is the price to be paid for hand-built cars catering to an indeterminate demand. For that price, however, the GT buyer will be very well compensated. There will be 'bespoke' equipment and trim opportunities available, as well as different engine and transmission variations. It's understood the GT will be more agile than the last (1976) Interceptor, but will retain many of the older design's signature styling cues. The Interceptor 2 is also expected to hark back to its predecessor in its looks.

The Jensen Group is, according to Autocar, the legitimate owner of the Jensen name and intellectual property, and has established its credentials to distinguish it from the company that attempted to revive the Jensen name in 2011.