British automaker Jensen International has officially revealed the 2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX, marking the return of the classic nameplate exactly 60 years after the original car debuted in 1966. Built as a track-focused prototype, the newly designed sports car packs a 6.8-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces 960 horsepower in its standard setup, alongside a driver-focused six-speed sequential manual transmission. Jensen developed this prototype to preview its engineering direction ahead of rolling out road-going sports cars.
Key Takeaways
- Jensen International revealed the Interceptor GTX prototype to celebrate 60 years of the original Interceptor badge.
- The sports car runs a Texas-built 6.8-liter supercharged V8 engine delivering 960 horsepower in base tune and up to 1,200 horsepower at peak settings.
- Power goes to the rear wheels via a Samsonas six-speed sequential manual gearbox.
- The vehicle features handcrafted aluminium bodywork built over a bonded aluminium chassis.
- Jensen plans to use this track prototype as a testbed for future road legal models.
Engineering and Engine Specifications
The original Jensen Interceptor earned fame in the late 1960s as a grand tourer with Italian styling and American V8 power. The new Interceptor GTX retains that cross-border powertrain formula. Built by Late Model Engines in Texas, the front-mounted 6.8-liter supercharged V8 engine uses a 2.65-liter Roots-type supercharger and custom forged internals. While the standard configuration produces 960 horsepower, Jensen confirmed the powertrain can reach 1,200 horsepower and more than 1,491 Nm of torque on maximum tune.
Rather than choosing a conventional automatic transmission, Jensen paired the motor with a Samsonas Motorsport six-speed sequential manual gearbox. Drivers can shift gears through a floor-mounted lever or via steering column paddles. A carbon-fiber driveshaft routes engine power directly to a rear transaxle and a Wavetrac limited-slip differential with launch control settings.
Chassis and Track Hardware
Coventry Metalcraft hand-forms the exterior aluminium panels in the United Kingdom, spending roughly 600 hours shaping each body over an aluminium chassis. The prototype carries an FIA-approved roll cage, polycarbonate glass, and carbon aerodynamic splitters and wings that produce more than 350 kilograms of downforce.
Underneath, the car uses Nitron three-way adjustable dampers on double aluminium wishbones. Braking duties fall to an AP Racing competition brake system with floating steel rotors. The car rides on 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport performance tires. Inside the cabin, Tillett carbon-fiber bucket seats and minimal Alcantara trim highlight the strict track setup.
Jensen has not disclosed the final curb weight or pricing details for the prototype. The company confirmed that production road models will follow this track development phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Jensen Interceptor GTX?
A1. The Interceptor GTX is a high-performance track car prototype from British brand Jensen International, designed to preview upcoming production road cars.
Q2. How much power does the Interceptor GTX produce?
A2. The 6.8-liter supercharged V8 engine produces 960 horsepower in base trim and can reach up to 1,200 horsepower.
Q3. What gearbox does the new Jensen sports car use?
A3. It uses a Samsonas six-speed sequential manual gearbox that drivers can shift using a gear stick or paddle shifters.
Q4. Is the Jensen Interceptor GTX street legal?
A4. The GTX is currently a track-only prototype, though Jensen plans to introduce street-legal production models later.
