Jensen reveals new Interceptor track and road cars

Jensen International, which has until now been busy producing restomods of the original Interceptor, has revealed a new family of Interceptor models.

The first one to hit limited production will be the GTX track-only special. Jensen will then use this vehicle as a base for two road-legal variants: the sportier GTR and the more luxurious GT, which it sees as the true successor to the original Interceptor that was made between 1966 and 1976.

Styling for the new car is clearly inspired by the original, but it's not a retro vehicle, like say the 2001 Mini or the 1997 New Beetle. Rather, the design is said to represent what the Interceptor would look like today if the original Jensen company had survived and continued developing and evolving the original car's design.

Powering the GTX is a 6.8-litre supercharged V8 that Jensen describes as bespoke, which reports indicate is based on a GM engine. In standard form it delivers 716kW and 1356Nm, and can rev up to 7000rpm. All of this is delivered to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential manual transmission.

The automaker says the engine can comfortably produce up to 895kW. For reference, the original 1966 Interceptor had a 6.2-litre Chrysler V8 making around 201kW.

According to AutoExpress and Autocar, the GTX is roughly 5.2m long and 2m wide. All members of the Interceptor family have carbon-fibre aero bits, aluminium bodies, and a bonded and extruded aluminium chassis.

The cars unveiled this weekend are officially prototype vehicles, so elements may change by the time they hit production. The GTR is essentially a road-legal version of the GTX, while the GT trades track ability for luxury, and is unadorned by eye-catching wings.

Both will be available with a traditional manual or automatic transmission. While the original Interceptor was available as a coupe, convertible and liftback, the new model will be sold as a coupe or a sedan with small, presumably reverse-hinged, rear doors. 

The GTX has a stripped back interior with Motec electronics, an FIA-compliant roll cage, and polycarbonate windows. It rides on double-wishbone suspension with adjustable Nitron dampers on all four corners, and 275/40 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres at the front and 345/30 rubber at the back.

Stopping ability comes from AP Racing steel disc brakes with six-poston calipers up front and four-pot units at the rear. Weight is claimed to about 1650kg, and split 50/50 front to rear.

A production location has yet to be confirmed, and pricing isn't set in stone, but the GTX is expected to cost between £850,000 and £950,000 (A$1.6-1.8m). Road-going versions are said to be more affordable, and in the same ballpark as Aston Martin and Bentley models.