A Serious Effort
A name from the past has been reborn in a big way, and it looks like a properly serious effort. While Jensen never stopped building cars as it continues to build recommissioned cars, it hasn’t made a new model from the ground up in decades. That changes now with the Interceptor GTX.
In some ways, it’s the kind of car that many automakers wish they could make. There are no electrification bits here, and it’s just pure combustion all the way. The GTX is the track version of the new Interceptor, but Jensen will soon roll out a road-friendly model of its latest car. The company is dead serious with its first clean-sheet model in years, and first impressions are promising. Besides, the company is also planning a full range of cars, and it has given a hint of what’s coming next.
Jensen International
Breaking Tradition
The original Interceptor was part grand tourer and part muscle car. The result was a car that managed to look brutish and elegant, which is perhaps the reason why the classic model still resonates to this day. The new one does manage to capture some classic elements while adhering to modern-day regulations, especially with that curved rear windshield.
But for the road car, Jensen is breaking away from tradition here. That’s because the British automaker told Autocar that the road car will have four doors. This is a first for Jensen in the modern era, and for a company that was best known for its personal luxury GTs, it’s a bold move.
David Duerden, the managing director for Jensen International Automotive, had this to say. “The idea is that it’s formatted as a road car. It’s intended to be a four-door GT.” Duerden didn’t mention any more details such as powertrain or luxuries, but it’s interesting how Jensen integrated those extra doors. It still manages to retain that distinct shape, but added a small set of rear doors à la Mazda RX-8 and Hyundai Veloster. We wouldn’t call it a sedan, that’s for sure.
Jensen International
Potential Rivals
Truth be told, the four-door Interceptor is pretty much on its own right now. The BMW M8 Gran Coupe is gone, while the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door has taken the EV route. As for the Audi RS7 and Porsche Panamera, the future is uncertain for both. That said, the Interceptor is positioned much higher than the aforementioned Germans.
Jensen did say its cars will be limited-run models, so expect a steep cost of entry. While not a four-door grand tourer per se, the Bentley Flying Spur might be a good match for it. The car could also be along the lines of the Aston Martin Rapide and the ultra-exclusive (and expensive) Lagonda Taraf. We’ll find out more details about the road version of the Interceptor, but it’s good to know that Jensen has actual plans and vision moving forward.
Jensen International
