Fifty years after closing up shop, Jensen is back. That name probably only rings a bell for hardcore classic-car enthusiasts (or faithful Top Gear viewers). Jensen Motors was a British coachbuilder and car manufacturer that operated from 1935 until 1976, earning a reputation for its high-performance grand tourers.
There were a few attempts to revive the brand after it went bankrupt, but none were successful. Now, nearly half a century later, the Jensen name is returning once again—this time with plans for an ultra-high-performance luxury GT to rival Aston Martin. It debuts later this year.
The New Jensen
The reborn company, Jensen International Automotive (JIA), is taking inspiration from the iconic 1960s Interceptor—but the company isn’t interested in simply recreating the past. Its first car will be a true clean-sheet design, engineered from scratch with a bespoke aluminium platform and wrapped in a sleek, modern body. And most importantly, there will be a V8 under the hood.
Jensen says the goal is to bring back an old-school, analogue driving feel that’s emotional and engaging, without ignoring what buyers expect from a modern British luxury GT. The car will be hand-built in the UK using traditional methods, and production will be extremely limited.
According to the company, the new project draws on decades of experience working with historic Jensen models, while a newly formed, independent division has been created specifically to focus on developing the new GT as quickly and efficiently as possible.
David Duerden, Managing Director of Jensen International Automotive, summed it up like this:
'Our first in-house vehicle takes the idea of the British luxury GT and brings it firmly into the modern era. It’s been designed and engineered from the ground up to deliver a truly special V8-powered driving experience. While it nods to the Interceptor introduced 60 years ago, this isn’t a restomod or a continuation car. It’s a completely new model that stands on its own.'
More details are expected closer to an official debut.
Jensen Automotive: A Quick History
Jensen was founded by brothers Richard and Alan Jensen, who started out designing bespoke coachwork before moving on to building cars under their own name. Early on, the company produced bodies for other manufacturers alongside its own sports cars, including the S-Type.
After the Second World War, Jensen introduced models like the PW, but it was the Interceptor that cemented the brand’s reputation as a maker of stylish grand tourers. Another standout was the Jensen FF, launched in the mid-1960s and notable for being one of the first production cars to feature both all-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes.
In the 1970s, Jensen tried to expand into the mass market with the Jensen-Healey roadster. Unfortunately, ongoing financial problems eventually caught up with the company, and Jensen closed for good in 1976.
Motor1's Take: Automotive historians should be excited about this one. The return of Jensen means that the ultra-luxury, British GT car space will be even more crowded. Hopefully this revival ends up more successful than TVR's failed attempt...
