Another retro sports car is being revived. The Jensen Interceptor was a British V8-engined coupe built between 1966 and 1976, and these official pictures show how a modern interpretation of the elegant GT will look when it gets its public unveiling in late 2012, before going on sale in 2014.
CPP, a Coventry-based coachbuilder and owner of Spyker sports cars, has won the contract to engineer, develop and build the new Interceptor from the brand's Swiss owners, Healey Sports Cars.
Based on an all-new aluminium platform with aluminium bodywork, the newcomer will be extremely light for its size. It will use the same four-seat layout as the original and features many of its forerunner's design cues - including the wraparound rear screen, vents behind the front wheel and quad headlights.
Annual production numbers and pricing are yet to be released, but will be capped to maintain exclusivity. There's no word on the engine or gearbox either, but as the original used an American V8, a powerplant borrowed from the current Corvette seems likely.
Brendan O'Toole, founder and co-owner of CPP, said: "The Jensen design team has respected and honoured the great heritage and attributes of the original Interceptor, while injecting a contemporary edge and advanced technologies that will ensure it appeals to the passionate, discerning motoring enthusiast of today.
"This work is at an advanced stage, and married to CPP's expert coachbuilding, craftsmanship and engineering skills, the new Interceptor will be an exceptional example of British automotive excellence."
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I like the idea of a new Jensen Interceptor - but why create another retro? A talented Designer could do better than this, have both a design that anchors to the the early 70s and yet have something really modern and fresh. These cars weren't cheap - so why pay for something that will look old again in short time, since it looks so much like a 40 year old car? Novelty wears off quite quickly - enough to bring buyers remorse. Not the best idea coming from a struggling car company.
WHY?...Dream on Jensen, IF you think the interceptor was anything but an overpriced poor selling, made and weird looking car, it WAS NOT in anyway considered high end...only in UK...what a bunch of dreamers...just who is your target market again??..."discerning motoring enthusiast of today"...what a fluff statement....proves what I said, you are DREAMING if you think it will sell.
Though the Interceptor, the name was more inspiring than the car, did have a good reputation it was not in the same league as Aston Martin, so why would anyone want to buy one. Could imagine this would be what a 944 would look like if Porsche thought it would sell.
Unlike that new Eternati luxury SUV, at least this new interceptor don't look like an a obvious "look a like" rip off of another car. it looks really nice and looks like they've stuck to the core that made the interceptor good.
The only Jensen I remember was the Barons which was driven by Hollywood Steve Forrest & The Saint of 1989 telemovies Simon Dutton drove, replacing his Jaguar XJS.
& if I ever win the lotto I'll quite happily enquire as to how much it is. If it ends up being priced for the Posh n Becks club though I'll just go & get an XJ.
I say all this like it's sure to happen - you'll probably see me in my Vauxhall Nova for a few more years yet!!
Wow - why all the rear over-hang - it looks like a ducks ass!
iT LoOKs jUsT rigHT - DIffERENt than others
!1!!
This is absolutely stunning. Different to anything else, unmistakably a Jensen and bang up to date. I'll keep doing the lottery!