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Jensen's Reborn Sports Car Debuts With Nearly 1,000 Horsepower And A Manual

For now, it's just a prototype, but the 960-horsepower Interceptor GTX previews Jensen's future road cars.

2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX

Photo by: Jensen International Automotive

Anthony Alaniz

By: Anthony Alaniz

Sep 4, at 4:00am ET

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Jensen is back—and the reborn automaker isn’t easing its way into the sports-car world. With the debut of the 2026 Interceptor GTX, the British marque is taking a big step toward putting a new Jensen on the road.

The GTX is a nearly 1,000-horsepower track car that previews the company’s plans for a new generation of road-going models. You can’t buy one just yet, but the GTX gives us our clearest look at what Jensen may have in store.

What's new? The Interceptor GTX is Jensen's track-focused development car, previewing the company's future road-going models.
What's under the hood? The GTX uses a heavily reworked supercharged 6.8-liter GM V8 producing 960 horsepower, with up to 1,200 hp possible.
What about the performance hardware? A six-speed sequential transmission, rear-wheel drive, Nitron three-way adjustable dampers, and AP Racing brakes give the GTX serious credentials.
Will it make it to the road? Jensen plans to develop two road-going versions—the high-performance Interceptor GTR and luxury-focused Interceptor GT—with a manual or automatic transmission.

British Born, American Bred

2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX

2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX supercharged 6.8-liter V8 engine.

Photo by: Jensen International Automotive

Jensen might not be a household name in the US, but the company has plenty of history. The new Interceptor GTX puts a modern spin on that heritage, combining classic-inspired styling with some seriously high-end hardware.

Under the hood is a supercharged 6.8-liter V8 from General Motors, although calling it a GM engine is probably underselling the amount of upgrading. Fewer than 20 percent of the original components remain after Jensen sent the engine to Late Model Engine in Texas for a comprehensive overhaul.

2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX

Photos by: Jensen International Automotive

2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX

The result is a V8 with CNC-machined cylinder heads, titanium valves, a fully forged rotating assembly, and motorsport-grade components, all managed by MoTeC engine software. It makes 960 horsepower in its standard configuration, but Jensen says it can produce as much as 1,200 hp and more than 1,100 pound-feet of torque.

That power is routed through a rear-mounted Samsonas Motorsport six-speed sequential transmission with straight-cut dog gears. A carbon-fiber prop shaft connects the engine and transaxle, while a Wavetrac differential sends the power to the rear wheels.

Stopping power comes from an AP Racing brake package with floating steel discs, tucked behind custom 20-inch forged aluminum wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The GTX also uses double-wishbone suspension at both ends, along with three-way adjustable Nitron dampers.

Functional, Yet Fancy

2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX

2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX interior.

Photo by: Jensen International Automotive

The GTX rides on an aluminum chassis developed in collaboration with Avant Design. And while this car is very much a track-focused machine, Jensen says about 80 percent of its exterior design will carry over to the road-going models.

That means the slim horizontal lights, large air intakes, integrated rear diffuser, and exposed aerodynamic elements are more than just styling exercises. The adjustable rear wing alone can generate up to 771 pounds of downforce, while a front splitter and flat floor round out the car’s aero package.

Inside, the GTX is every bit as serious as its exterior suggests. There’s a bespoke FIA safety cage, Tillett carbon-fiber competition seats with six-point harnesses, and a fire extinguisher. A MoTeC display handles the instrumentation, while Alcantara trim and orange stitching add a little luxury to the otherwise race-ready cabin.

What Comes Next?

Jensen Interceptor GT

Jensen Interceptor GT rear 3/4.

Photo by: Jensen International Automotive

The GTX is just the beginning. Jensen will now put the car through testing as it continues to develop its performance and refine the package ahead of its next-generation road cars.

The company plans to eventually offer two versions of the Interceptor: a high-performance GTR and a more luxurious GT. Unlike the GTX, both will be designed for the road and will use more conventional transmissions, including an H-pattern manual and a fully automatic.

Jensen International's Managing Director, David Duerden, notes:

'While this is only the first step, the GTX gives a clear indication of where we are heading and marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the marque.'

Jensen hasn’t announced when production will begin, saying only that it will work with customers as development continues. That leaves plenty of questions about pricing, production numbers, and exactly how much of the GTX’s wild performance will make it into the road cars.

What do you think?

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For now, though, the Interceptor GTX is a pretty convincing way for Jensen to announce that it’s serious about coming back.

2026 Jensen Interceptor GT Range

2026 Jensen Interceptor GTX

Source: Jensen International Automotive

Motor1's Take: The new Interceptor GTX looks like a serious machine. With V8 power and a manual, it could be exactly the revival the British automaker needs. It's just a matter of time before we see the production version on the road.

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