Jensen Interceptor returns - but it's nothing like the Sixties original: Iconic British name reborn as 960bhp track car

One of Britain's most iconic car names of the 1960s and 1970s is making a return to the market – though it's nothing like the original.The Jensen Interceptor, which was hand-built at Jensen Motors' Kelvin Way factory in West Bromwich near Birmingham between 1966 and 1976, is embarking on a long-touted comeback.The two-door 'shooting brake' grand tourer is one of the most recognisable and beloved British motors of its era – and it remains a standout model in what was a chequered period for car making.But its 21st century reincarnation comes with a serious injection of power.The Interceptor has been reborn with a lineage-correct V8 engine, though one that's been extensively modified and supercharged to produce a staggering 960bhp, which is strictly unsuitable for public roads.Oxfordshire-based Jensen International on Friday unveiled the rear-wheel-drive, track-only Interceptor GTX, describing it as 'the ultimate analogue driving experience'.But fear not, street-legal variants will follow. The Sixties Jensen Interceptor has been dragged into the 21st century as the GTX track car with a serious dose of power and extreme aero featuresThe Interceptor GTX is neither a continuation model nor a 'restomod' based on an original chassis.Instead, it is an entirely new creation developed from the ground up and destined to be hand-built in Britain in extremely limited numbers.Jensen International says the hardcore GTX is a 'statement of intent for what's to come'.That future line-up will include a luxurious GT cruiser inspired by the classic Interceptor, alongside a high-performance, road-legal GTR variant designed to bridge the gap between its two sister models.Each car takes inspiration from the original Interceptor, with the manufacturer claiming their proportions and road presence reflect those of their 1966 predecessor.In fact, the newly formed British car maker has already revealed how the GT might look once the GTX's aggressive aerodynamics, flared wheel arches and towering rear wing have been stripped away or softened in favour of a more elegant grand touring design.Jensen International says the GTX 'represents the physical proof point of Jensen International's credibility, engineering capability and supplier network'. Jensen International says the hardcore GTX is a 'statement of intent for what's to come', which includes this Interceptor GT The street-legal variant will be more reminsant of the two-door 'shooting brake' that is one of the most recognisable and beloved British motors of its era The original Interceptor was hand-built at Jensen Motors' Kelvin Way factory in West Bromwich near Birmingham between 1966 and 1976. The new model is crafted in Oxfordshire Join the discussionIs turning classic British car icons into ultra-powerful track machines a bold evolution or a betrayal of their legacy?What's your view?Nearly 1,000bhp from a supercharged Corvette V8Beneath its expansive bonnet sits a 6.8-litre General Motors V8 sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette that's been re-engineered by Texas-based specialist Late Model Engines.And the modifications are extensive.These include the addition of a 2.65-litre supercharger and a range of forged internal components designed to cope with significantly higher performance levels.The company says the engine is rated at an output of up to 1,200bhp, though this has been scaled back to a still eye-watering 960bhp.Power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox.However, the road-going GT and GTR models will offer buyers the choice of a traditional H-pattern manual transmission or a fully automatic gearbox.Its outrageous adjustable rear wing generates over 350kg of downforce and the full aero package includes a low-slung front splitter, flat underfloor, massive rear diffuser, various air ducts and vents, and a two-plane aerofoil to control airflow. Inside, the GTX features a stripped-out cockpit complete with an FIA-approved safety cage, carbon-fibre racing seats, six-point harnesses and an integrated fire-suppression system.Buyers opting for the GT can expect a considerably more luxurious interior trimmed in premium materials. Each car takes inspiration from the original Interceptor, the British maker says. It claims the proportions and road presence of the new models reflect those of their 1966 predecessor The GTX's outrageous adjustable rear wing generates over 350kg of downforce Beneath its expansive bonnet sits a 6.8-litre General Motors V8 sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette that's been uprated with a supercharged and forged parts. It can produce up to 1,200bhp but has been limited to 960bhp The original Interceptor's interior is a classy affair. The new GTX is a stripped-out race car with an FIA-approved safety cage, carbon-fibre racing seats and six-point harnesses Not a continuation carManaging director David Duerden said: 'We were determined to create something entirely new that carries the spirit of the Jensen Interceptor forward in a modern, authentic manner and, perhaps in the case of our first car, the track-focused GTX, in a way people would not expect.'Obviously, the 1966 Jensen Interceptor is a significant inspiration for us. And not just visually, but in terms of what that car represents.'From the outset, though, our intention was never to build a continuation car or revisit something that already existed.'Duerden said the road-going models that follow have been conceived as part of the same development programme as the GTX.Around 80 per cent of the exterior design, including key body panels and associated tooling, will be shared with the GT and GTR variants.The GT is intended to be a more luxury-oriented proposition that retains a close connection to the original 1966 Interceptor while remaining firmly focused on the future rather than nostalgia. The GTX is expected to go into production in 2028 and command a price close to £1million. The high-performance GTR (centre) and luxury GT (left) have an unconfirmed release dateSo, how much will it cost?Jensen International says the GTX will be priced somewhere between £850,000 and £950,000.Production is not expected to begin until 2028 and numbers will be strictly limited.The GT should be significantly more affordable, though the company has yet to provide either a price estimate or a launch date. CARS & MOTORING: ON TEST