The Jensen Interceptor returns to production fifty years after the original ceased manufacture in 1976, reimagined by restomod firm Jensen International Automotive as a British-built V8 grand tourer combining period aesthetics with contemporary performance and reliability. The company announced the revival in January 2026, confirming manufacturing will take place at a new facility in Oxfordshire with first deliveries scheduled for late 2027.
Jensen International Automotive, a separate entity from the original Jensen Motors that collapsed in 1976, acquired naming rights and intellectual property associated with the Interceptor badge in 2023. The firm specialises in restoring and modifying original Interceptors, developing expertise in addressing the classic car's known weaknesses while preserving its character. This experience underpins the new vehicle's development.
"We've restored over 60 original Interceptors and understand intimately what makes them special and what compromises owners accept from 1960s and 1970s engineering," explained Carl Brooker, managing director of Jensen International Automotive, in the announcement statement. "The new Interceptor takes everything we've learned and applies it to a car that drives like a modern GT but looks unmistakably Jensen."
The original Interceptor, produced from 1966 to 1976, established Jensen's reputation for elegant design and powerful American V8 engines in British coachwork. Italian design house Carrozzeria Touring created the distinctive fastback styling, while Chrysler V8 engines ranging from 6.3 to 7.2 litres provided effortless performance. Approximately 6,400 Interceptors were built across all variants before Jensen Motors entered receivership, ending production.
The new version retains styling cues including the wraparound rear glass, prominent bonnet, and muscular proportions that defined the original. However, dimensions have grown to accommodate modern crash structures, safety equipment, and larger powertrains. Overall length increases from 4,750mm to 4,950mm, while width expands from 1,778mm to 1,890mm. The additional bulk reflects contemporary safety regulations and customer expectations for interior space.
Power comes from a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 producing 650 horsepower, sourced from American specialist Chevrolet Performance. The engine connects to an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential. Performance figures remain preliminary, but Jensen International Automotive estimates 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.8 seconds and a top speed exceeding 180 mph.
The chassis utilises bonded aluminium construction rather than the original's steel body-on-frame design, reducing weight while improving structural rigidity. Suspension features double wishbones front and rear with adaptive dampers, adjustable through driving modes ranging from comfort-oriented touring to track-focused sport settings. Carbon ceramic brakes provide stopping power, with 410mm front discs and six-piston calipers.
Interior design pays homage to the original while incorporating modern technology and materials. The dashboard retains period-appropriate switchgear styling and analogue instrumentation, though digital displays replace mechanical gauges for improved reliability. Seats feature traditional leather upholstery with modern ergonomics and heating, ventilation, and massage functions. A touchscreen infotainment system integrates navigation, audio, and vehicle settings, discretely positioned to minimise visual disruption to the classic aesthetic.
Jensen International Automotive confirmed pricing starts at £285,000, positioning the new Interceptor against established GT competitors including the Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin DB12, and Ferrari Roma. This premium pricing reflects low-volume hand assembly, bespoke construction methods, and the cachet of reviving a legendary British nameplate.
Production will be limited to 250 examples annually, with initial allocation prioritising British buyers before expanding to European and international markets. The company has secured manufacturing premises in Bicester, Oxfordshire, a location increasingly popular with automotive specialists including Prodrive, Lunaz, and Radford. The facility will employ approximately 80 staff when operating at full capacity.
The revival joins a growing trend of resurrected British automotive nameplates. David Brown Automotive produces the Speedback GT inspired by Aston Martin heritage. Alvis relaunched with continuation models of 1930s designs. Lister revived its name with the LFT-666 Jaguar-based supercar. These ventures occupy a niche between mainstream manufacturers and bespoke coachbuilders, serving customers seeking exclusivity and heritage connections.
However, commercial success for revived brands proves challenging. Many announce ambitious plans but struggle achieving sustainable production volumes. TVR's attempted comeback collapsed in 2022 after years of delays and unfulfilled promises. Bristol Cars filed for administration in 2020 despite initial optimism about electric vehicle plans. Jensen International Automotive's established restoration business provides some foundation, though scaling from servicing existing cars to manufacturing new ones presents significant operational challenges.
Engineering validation represents another hurdle. Modern vehicles require extensive crash testing, emissions certification, and homologation across multiple markets. These processes cost millions and consume years of development time. Jensen International Automotive indicated they've partnered with established automotive engineering consultancies to navigate regulatory requirements, though specific testing timelines and certification progress remain undisclosed.
Customer deposits have opened, with Jensen International Automotive reporting over 40 reservations secured within the first week following the announcement. Buyers include existing Interceptor owners seeking modern reliability alongside classic character, and collectors attracted to limited production numbers and British automotive heritage.
"I've owned three original Interceptors and adore them, but the reality involves constant maintenance, reliability concerns, and fear of driving them too much because finding replacement parts becomes increasingly difficult," explained one deposit holder quoted in the announcement materials. "The new car promises the experience I love without the anxiety. That's worth the premium."
Critics question whether demand exists at this price point for a relatively unknown nameplate competing against established luxury brands. Bentley delivers comparable performance, superior dealer networks, and proven residual values. Aston Martin offers British heritage with global recognition. Ferrari provides the ultimate prestige. What does Jensen offer beyond nostalgia for a brand that's been absent 50 years?
Brooker argues the Interceptor's rarity and distinctiveness provide appeal that mass-produced luxury GTs cannot match. "When you arrive somewhere in a Continental GT, you see three others in the car park. The Interceptor guarantees exclusivity. You're driving automotive history reimagined for modern roads. That resonates with customers seeking individuality over conformity."
The original Interceptor has experienced value appreciation in recent years, with the best examples commanding £80,000 to £120,000 according to Hagerty price guides. This represents substantial growth from five years ago when similar cars sold for £40,000 to £60,000. The appreciation demonstrates renewed interest in 1960s and 1970s British GTs, potentially supporting demand for modern interpretations.
Whether the new Interceptor achieves comparable collectibility remains uncertain. Modern low-volume specialist cars show mixed investment potential. Some appreciate strongly if manufacturers cease production and rarity increases demand. Others depreciate when buyers discover limited dealer support, parts availability concerns, or simply lose interest when initial enthusiasm fades.
Jensen International Automotive's business model doesn't depend entirely on new car sales. The company continues restoration services, parts manufacturing, and upgrade packages for original Interceptors, providing revenue diversification that purely car manufacturers lack. This foundation potentially sustains operations even if new car production proves less profitable than projected.
The Interceptor joins a small but growing segment of British V8 GTs keeping combustion engines alive despite electrification pressures. Aston Martin continues offering V8 and V12 options alongside hybrid variants. Morgan persists with BMW-sourced engines in traditional roadster configurations. These manufacturers argue that enthusiast buyers still desire internal combustion, particularly in low-volume sports and GT cars where emissions impact remains relatively modest compared to mass-market vehicles.
Regulatory environments may challenge this position. Britain announced that new cars sold from 2030 must be zero-emission capable, effectively banning pure combustion vehicles. Jensen International Automotive acknowledged this timeline but suggested low-volume manufacturer exemptions might provide flexibility. Alternatively, the company could develop hybrid or electric variants if regulations demand, though Brooker emphasised that V8 character forms the core of Interceptor identity.
First production vehicles roll out in late 2027, assuming development and certification proceed on schedule. Until then, the project remains promises and computer renderings rather than drivable reality. The automotive landscape contains numerous cautionary tales of ambitious revival projects that failed to materialise or delivered disappointing products after years of delays.
Jensen International Automotive benefits from realistic scope, focusing on established V8 technology rather than complex new powertrains, and leveraging existing restoration expertise rather than starting entirely fresh. These factors improve odds of successful execution compared to more ambitious startups attempting revolutionary designs or unproven technologies.
Fifty years after the original Interceptor's production ended, the nameplate returns carrying both heritage weight and modern expectations. Whether the new car captures what made the original special while eliminating what made it frustrating determines if this revival succeeds or joins the long list of British automotive resurrections that promised much but delivered disappointment. Two hundred and eighty-five thousand pounds buys entry to that gamble for the forty-plus customers who've committed deposits. The rest of us will watch and wait to see if Jensen truly returns or if this proves another footnote in British motoring's complicated relationship with its glorious past.