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April 2, 2025 – The Jensen Interceptor is no longer just a memory. After nearly five decades, the nameplate that defined the British-American grand tourer has returned, but not in the way anyone expected. The new Jensen Interceptor GTX is a track-only prototype packing a supercharged 6.8-liter V8 that delivers 960 horsepower to the rear wheels. It’s a radical departure from the original luxury GT, yet it honors the same spirit of blending Italian-influenced design, British craftsmanship, and American V8 muscle.
The original Jensen Interceptor, produced from 1966 to 1976, was a unique beast. It combined a body designed by Italian stylist Carrozzeria Touring with a chassis built in West Bromwich, England, and Chrysler V8 engines ranging from 6.3 to 7.2 liters. The related Jensen FF even pioneered four-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes in a luxury GT years before those technologies became mainstream. Now, the Interceptor name is back, but this time it’s attached to something far more extreme.
Jensen International Automotive (JIA), the company behind the revival, built the GTX as a single prototype to demonstrate the engineering potential of a modern Interceptor. “We wanted to prove that a Jensen can still be a visceral, driver-focused machine,” said a company spokesperson. “The GTX is our statement of intent.” The car is based on a new aluminum chassis, with a hand-built body that combines aluminum and carbon fiber. The long bonnet, fastback roofline, and large glass rear section are unmistakable nods to the original, but the aggressive aerodynamics make it look ready for a race track.
The heart of the GTX is its engine, developed by Texas-based Late Model Engines. It starts with a General Motors 6.8-liter V8 block, but JIA says fewer than 20 percent of the original GM components remain. The engine features CNC-machined cylinder heads, titanium valves, revised variable valve timing, direct injection, and a 2.7-liter Roots-type supercharger. For the GTX, it produces 960 hp and revs to 7,000 rpm, but JIA notes the same engine can be tuned to deliver up to 1,200 hp and more than 1,490 Nm (1,099 lb-ft) of torque. That’s serious power, even by modern hypercar standards.
All that grunt is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a carbon fiber driveshaft and a six-speed sequential transaxle from Samsonas Motorsport. The gearbox uses straight-cut dog-leg gears and can be operated via steering-mounted paddles or a conventional sequential lever. JIA has hinted that future road-going versions could offer a manual or automatic gearbox, but for the track-only GTX, the sequential unit is the only choice.
The chassis was designed to handle the enormous output. The GTX uses an aluminum structure with unequal-length control arms at both ends and three-way adjustable dampers. Hydraulic power-assisted steering is retained for feel, while forged 20-inch aluminum wheels wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Aerodynamics are extreme: a large front splitter, side skirts with aerodynamic fins, a substantial rear diffuser, and a massive adjustable rear wing. JIA claims the wing alone can generate more than 350 kg (772 lb) of downforce. The result is a stance that’s far more aggressive than the elegant GT that inspired it.
Step inside, and there’s no mistaking this is a track tool. The cabin features Tillett carbon fiber racing seats, six-point harnesses, an FIA-approved roll cage, and a fire-extinguisher system. There’s no sound deadening, no luxury trim — just pure driver focus. The digital instrument cluster and steering wheel-mounted controls are the only nods to modernity.
JIA is already planning two road-going versions: the Interceptor GTR and the Interceptor GT. The GTR will take the GTX’s performance-focused approach and make it road-legal, retaining much of the aggressive styling and aero. The GT will be a more luxurious grand tourer, closer in spirit to the original, with cleaner bodywork, a more comfortable cabin, and likely a milder engine tune. “The GT is for the enthusiast who wants to drive across Europe, not just the track,” the spokesperson added.
For now, the GTX remains a single prototype with no production date or price announced. But the revival of the Interceptor name is significant for the American market, where the original car found a loyal following. The use of a GM-based V8 developed in Texas reinforces the transatlantic heritage. JIA’s move also taps into the current trend of boutique automakers rev
