It has been almost 40 years since the last Jensen Interceptor was produced and more than a decade since the short-lived Jensen SV-8, but it looks like there might finally be some hope for the sporty British automaker to make a full comeback. The Jensen Group has just released a pair of images showing a full-scale clay model of its upcoming Jensen GT, and while few details were released about the car, Evo Magazine seems to have some of the car’s juicier details.

According to the official press release, this “extremely limited edition” Jensen GT will “fill the gap between the last true Jensen, the Interceptor of 1976, and an all-new, state-of-the-art car due to be revealed in 2016.” I’m still taking this news with a bit of skepticism until there’s an actual working car, but it is definitely a promising development for Jensen fans.

Continue reading to learn more about the 2016 Jensen GT.

2016 Jensen GT

Specifications

• Make: Array
• Model: 2016 Jensen GT

Pros

Cons

Exterior

Unlike the original Jensen GT, which had a shooting brake design, the upcoming car will have the Interceptor’s notchback rear styling. That would be good and all, but even here, the designers seem to have dropped the ball creating more of a traditional coupe-like look instead of the stubbiness of the iconic Interceptor. Killing the looks of this clay model is the combination of a rear overhang that is too long and a roofline/rear glass that stops too short. That weird, hatchback-like rear window was a defining characteristic of the 1966-76 Interceptor. But then again, this is just a clay mockup released ahead of the car’s debut, so there could still be some changes in store. Fingers crossed.

The Jaguar F-Type taillights probably aren’t doing this design any justice either, nor are the headlights and crosshair grille, which leaves the car with a face that resembles a shrunken Dodge Challenger. All is not doom and gloom for the Jensen GT, however, as the side body work is arguably an improvement on this car’s spiritual predecessor, with widely flared arches integrated into the fenders and a higher belt line, creating a more athletic profile.

Interior

The images or press release don’t include any indication as to what the interior design will look like, but wouldn’t be too hard to imagine a modern interpretation of the previous Interceptor’s cabin. And with the truncated roofline, I’d sure hope this new car won’t be a four-seater like the last Interceptor was. One thing that would be a welcome sight in this cabin is a retro center stack with a cluster of circular gauges and HVAC vents.

Drivetrain

Here’s where Evo’s report comes into play. The article says that the front-engine, rear-drive Jensen GT will have a GM V-8 under the hood producing around 665 horsepower, and a target weight of 3,373 pounds. Buyers will have the choice between two six-speed transmission options – a manual gearbox or a more advanced semi-automatic transmission – and the Jensen GT will also receive an adjustable traction control system to make the most of the car’s performance capabilities.

Prices

Any time a car is referred to as “extremely limited,” there’s a pretty good chance buyers are going to pay a hefty price for admission to become an owner.

Competition

Morgan Aero Coupe

Like the Jensen GT, the Morgan Aero Coupe is a small-volume, hand-built sports car with a design inspired by vintage motorcars. While the design sets the Morgan Aero Coupe apart from the rest of the new cars on the market, this car is as fun to drive as it is to look at. This is thanks to a 4.8-liter BMW V-8 that produces around 367 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque, which helps rocket the lightweight car (roughly 2,600 pounds) from 0-60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds. With a price tag of close to $200,000, though, the Morgan is in a much different ball park to buyers.

Jaguar F-Type Coupe

Along the same lines of the Jensen Interceptor and Morgan Aero Coupe, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe is another one of those wonderfully styled British sports cars that make me want to say “coupé” and “motoring.” Complementing its gorgeous lines, the F-Type offers two different engine options: a supercharged V-6 or a supercharged V-8. Using the latter, the all-wheel-drive F-Type R produces 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque, and can get to 60 mph from a dead stop in just 3.9 seconds. The best part is its affordable pricing. Jaguar has not announced pricing for the 2016 Jaguar F-Type, but the 2015 model started at $65,000 – a great entry point for a fun and beautiful sports car.

Conclusion

Whether or not Jensen is able to produce the Jensen GT remains to be seen, but given its spotty track record of staying in business, I won’t be holding my breath. At the same time, if the Jensen GT does actually make it to production, I’ll be right there waiting for my chance to drive it. Many questions remain about the rebirth of Jensen, but a successful GT model would lead to an even more exciting Interceptor 2 model, which is slated to debut next year.