In today’s financial downturn era, the romantic stories in the automotive world don’t happen too often, with many of the new vehicle decisions taken in offices where profit is the only word used.
However, sometimes passion manages to triumph and bring wonderful vehicles to life, offering waves of joy to car enthusiasts from all over the world.
One of these rare situations has just occurred, as Jensen International Automotive (JIA), a small company in the UK that brings classic Jensen Interceptor vehicles back to life, has received a capital infusion from Charles Dunstone, the fonder of Carpone Warehouse, as pistonheads.com reports.
The vehicles produced by the company are based on defunct or poor-condition original Interceptor cars and receive many modifications, being fitted with modern technology. The “new” vehicles use the Jensen Interceptor S name.
Let’s see what the addition of the “S” badge means for an Interceptor. The vehicle gets a new powertrain, receiving an all-new General Motors-sourced LS3 V8 engine that delivers 429 hp, which is mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox. The car also receives an independent rear suspension built from components that belong to Jaguars from the 70s and 80s. The braking system is replaced with a modern, high performance one provided by AP Racing. And the list could go on.
What you get in the end is a 400 kg weight reduction, a seriously improved weight distribution between the axles and serious straight line performance. This means that the vehicle needs 4.5 seconds to hit 60 mph and can reach a top speed of over 160 mph.
However, all this classic drama will set you back 105,000 pounds ($165,000), and this is just the starting price. The money will also bring you exclusivity, as the Jensen Interceptor S’ production is limited to 18 units per year.
However, sometimes passion manages to triumph and bring wonderful vehicles to life, offering waves of joy to car enthusiasts from all over the world.
One of these rare situations has just occurred, as Jensen International Automotive (JIA), a small company in the UK that brings classic Jensen Interceptor vehicles back to life, has received a capital infusion from Charles Dunstone, the fonder of Carpone Warehouse, as pistonheads.com reports.
The vehicles produced by the company are based on defunct or poor-condition original Interceptor cars and receive many modifications, being fitted with modern technology. The “new” vehicles use the Jensen Interceptor S name.
Let’s see what the addition of the “S” badge means for an Interceptor. The vehicle gets a new powertrain, receiving an all-new General Motors-sourced LS3 V8 engine that delivers 429 hp, which is mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox. The car also receives an independent rear suspension built from components that belong to Jaguars from the 70s and 80s. The braking system is replaced with a modern, high performance one provided by AP Racing. And the list could go on.
What you get in the end is a 400 kg weight reduction, a seriously improved weight distribution between the axles and serious straight line performance. This means that the vehicle needs 4.5 seconds to hit 60 mph and can reach a top speed of over 160 mph.
However, all this classic drama will set you back 105,000 pounds ($165,000), and this is just the starting price. The money will also bring you exclusivity, as the Jensen Interceptor S’ production is limited to 18 units per year.