Saturday, May 21, 2011
Thame, England - The Jensen Interceptor, one of the most distinctive British sports car classics from the 1970s, has been revived with cutting-edge technology under the skin.
The updated new Interceptor is the brainchild of a group of businessmen who operate from the town of Thame in Oxfordshire. The car makes its official debut at the Salon Prive car show from June 22nd to 24th in London.
Jensen International Automotive strips down original examples of the Italian-styled 1970s coupe to the bare metal shell before proofing them against corrosion. The cars are then rebuilt with modern, lightweight materials. The cabin has been modernized along with the chassis, running gear and brakes. Both engine and gearbox are replaced.
The more than adequate power is now provided by a huge General Motors 6.2-litre V8 that turns out 429 horsepower. This Chevrolet Corvette unit is enough to hurl the car from zero to 100 miles an hour in less than five seconds. Only 15 a year of the bespoke Jensen will be built, with production lasting six months for each vehicle. Prices start from 107,000 pounds (177,000 dollars).
The original Interceptor stopped production in the 1970s and several attempts since then to revive the car have failed. Jensen International Automotive was founded in April 2010.
