Jensen Interceptor GTX Puts 960 Supercharged Horses on Track Before Any Road Car Exists

Jensen International Automotive spent years restoring classic Interceptors in Oxfordshire. This week the company showed a completely new car instead. Called the Interceptor GTX, the two-seat coupe is a track-only prototype built to prove an all-new aluminum platform, a Texas-built V8, and the shape of future road cars. Around 80 percent of its exterior is meant to survive when those street versions arrive.

Power comes from a 6.8-liter V8 that began life as a General Motors small-block and then left most of that identity behind. Late Model Engines in Houston completely overhauled it, adding forged internals, CNC-machined heads, titanium valves, revised variable valve timing, and direct injection, among other modifications. A 2.65-liter Roots-type supercharger sits on top of it all, visible rather than hidden. The present output is a remarkable 960 horsepower, with the potential for 1,200 horses and over 1,100 lb-ft. The engine can rev to 7,000 rpm and is controlled by a MoTeC system. The engine bay has gold foil trim, and to be honest, there are only a few things left from the original GM parts, less than 20% to be exact.

This power is then sent to a rear-mounted Samsonas six-speed sequential transaxle with straight-cut dog gears via a carbon-fiber driveshaft inside a torque tube. To change gears, you can use either the paddles or a floor lever. A Wavetrac differential transfers it all to the rear wheels, which is the only rational way to handle this amount of power. We’re told that if individuals ask nicely, road cars may get a traditional manual or automatic transmission.

The core of this beast is a bonded and riveted extruded aluminum chassis that supports a hand-formed aluminum body by Coventry Metalcraft. Avant Design handled the styling, and it shows. Its measurements are 5.2 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 50 inches high. The curb weight is given as 1,650 kg, with a claimed 50/50 weight distribution. Double-wishbone suspension incorporates 3-way adjustable Nitron dampers. It’s worth noting that the steering is still the traditional hydraulic type, rather than anything fancy. AP Racing brakes with floating steel rotors and six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston ones in the rear are on the job. Twenty-inch Vossen forged wheels come with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres in 275/40 front and 345/30 rear widths.

When it comes to aerodynamics, a large carbon rear wing, front splitter, flat floor, side skirts, and diffuser will easily generate over 350kg of downforce. The original Interceptor’s wraparound rear glass remains, although the most of it is obscured by the enormous rear wing. Inside, things are just as serious. The interior features a full FIA roll cage, Tillett carbon seats with six-point harnesses, a fire system, polycarbonate windows, Alcantara with orange stitching, and a single MoTeC display. There is no fancy center screen for this one.

From 1966 to 1976, the first Interceptors used Chrysler V8 engines and Italian Touring bodywork in a grand tourer configuration. This GTX takes the long hood and fastback idea to its logical conclusion, but it starts from scratch. According to managing director David Duerden, it is a live concept model and the first visible manifestation of a new program. Partner Jeff Qvale, the son of the Jensen factory owner, has described it as a personal effort that goes beyond nostalgia.

Two road cars are planned if demand appears. A GTR would stay closer to the track brief, possibly with four doors and four seats. On the other hand, the GT would be a more luxurious grand tourer, similar to the Aston Martin DB12. The GTX is projected to cost between £850,000 and $1.2 million, depending on specifications. Production would stay low-volume and hand-built at Banbury. For now the car exists to be driven hard so the pieces that follow it can be trusted.