by The British company is developing a new coupe inspired by the Interceptor model. JIA, which specializes in modernizing classic Interceptors, now plans to create a completely new model. This “analog” coupe with a V8 engine will be built on a special aluminum chassis developed in the UK.
Return of a Legend
Over its 112-year history, Aston Martin has repeatedly experienced periods of prosperity and decline, yet the company has managed to stay afloat. Unfortunately, not all of its competitors from that era shared the same fate. However, one of them is preparing for a comeback with an all-new GT car that could make the Aston Martin DB12 feel less exclusive.
That company is Jensen, best known for the 1966-76 Interceptor model, whose panoramic rear window remains one of the most iconic features in the automotive world to this day. Now, 50 years after the last original first-series Interceptor was built, Jensen International Automotive announces it is preparing to unveil a modern coupe built around a brand-new, dedicated aluminum chassis.
A New Page in the Brand’s History
JIA was founded in 2010 and already has a steady business selling modernized versions of the original Interceptor. However, this new car will be its first completely new development. Details are scarce for now, and we only have one silhouette image of the profile, which clearly shows the outlines borrowed from the brand’s most famous creation.
The Power of a Traditional V8
In addition to the aluminum chassis, the company reveals that the new coupe will provide an “analog” driving experience and be equipped with a “special” V8 engine. It is unlikely to involve in-house engine production. The original Interceptor used large V8s from Chrysler, while JIA uses GM LS3 and supercharged LT4 V8 engines for its modernized cars.
It is not yet known whether power will be sent to the rear wheels only. The original Interceptor was rear-wheel drive, but its 1966 derivative, the FF, which was visually almost identical but had a longer wheelbase, pioneered the use of all-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes on a sports car—more than a decade before the Audi Quattro appeared.
Exclusive Production
The price and exact date of the full premiere are still unknown. However, given that the car will be hand-assembled in the UK in a very limited series by a separate JIA team and will be completely new, it certainly won’t be cheap.
This is not the first attempt to revive cars under the Jensen brand since the 1970s. For example, in 2001, the S-V8 model with a Mustang engine was launched to compete with TVR, but the company went bankrupt just a year later. We hope this new project will have greater viability and capture the spirit of the original Interceptor while avoiding its enormous fuel consumption.
The return of niche brands like Jensen always generates great interest among car enthusiasts who value history and individuality. In a world dominated by mass production and electrification, the emergence of a new “analog” coupe with a large naturally aspirated engine could be a real gift for purists. The success of this project will depend not only on technical specifications but also on how successfully it manages to recreate that unique atmosphere and emotions offered by classic GT cars of a bygone era. This is a bold attempt to save a piece of automotive heritage from oblivion.
