- CPP Global Holdings says it has been retained by a Swiss firm to build a new-generation Jensen Interceptor in 2014.
- CPP controls Spyker and recently formed a joint venture with Italian coachbuilder Zagato.
- The 2014 Interceptor will be assembled in a new plant to be built on the site of the old Jaguar facility at Browns Lane outside Coventry.
COVENTRY, England — CPP Global Holdings, which controls Spyker and recently formed a joint venture with Zagato, says it has been retained by a Swiss firm to build a new-generation Jensen Interceptor in 2014. CPP released sketches of the 2014 Interceptor and said it plans to assemble the car at a new plant to be built on the site of the old Jaguar facility at Browns Lane outside Coventry.
CPP — originally Coventry Prototype Panels — is controlled by Russian billionaire Vladimir Antonov, who earlier this year had hoped to acquire a minority interest in Saab.
The rights to the Jensen name and intellectual property are held by Healey Sports Cars Switzerland.
The original Interceptor was an Austin-based two-door that was built by Jensen from 1950-'57. The later and better-known Interceptor was a two-door GT built in the U.K. from 1966-'76 and fitted with a massive Chrysler V8. A handful of Interceptors from that period also featured four-wheel drive.
CPP said it was appointed by HSCS to engineer, develop and build the new Interceptor, which will be publicly unveiled in late 2012, possibly at the 2012 Paris Auto Show.
The 2014 Interceptor will be built on a new aluminum chassis with a hand-crafted aluminum body, according to CPP. The company said pricing and production volume will be announced at a later date, "but will be fixed to ensure ultra-exclusivity."
CPP founder and co-owner Brendan O'Toole said: "I started my career by restoring bodies and components for classic British sports cars, so for CPP to take the lead role in reviving this iconic brand is very exciting for the business, and for me personally. The Jensen design team has respected and honored the great heritage and attributes of the original Interceptor, while injecting a contemporary edge and advanced technologies that will ensure it appeals to the passionate, discerning motoring enthusiast of today. This work is at an advanced stage, and married to CPP's expert coachbuilding, craftsmanship and engineering skills, the new Interceptor will be an exceptional example of British automotive excellence."
Inside Line says: For further details, check out the neo-Interceptor Web site.
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patrickw says:
04:09 PM, 09/22/2011
I must agree with pei_asdf that the build quality of the Interceptors was quite low, even by British standards of the period (and that is saying something) and the Chrysler engines (particularly in the Mark I) left a lot to be desired. I was never tempted to buy one. But they were stylistically unique, both inside and out, and great fun to drive. I street-raced the Mark II FF against a '72 Hurst/Olds down the Pacific Coast Highway (don't try this at home) and although the H/O had me beat in the straights, I had it all over him in the twisties.
pei_asdf says:
10:24 AM, 09/22/2011
Saw a recent Top Gear episode about the Jensen Interceptor. Those car were build like crap. Worse than Ford Freestar crap.
patrickw says:
05:02 AM, 09/22/2011
I am smiling like the Cheshire Cat. I drove 3 Interceptors in the early '70s (including a Mark II FF - 4-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes - I felt like I had stepped into a time machine and emerged into the 21st century) and totally loved them. In those days it was nearly impossible to find a capable Sports/GT car comfortable for a tall person to sit upright (even without a helmet); the only two cars in which I really felt at home were the 911 and the Interceptor, and the two were as different in character as a scalpel and a broadsword. Although the Interceptor was a blast to drive and a real eye-catcher, what I remember most was the amazing visibility. The greenhouse was practically unobstructed (very narrow A-pillars and a panoramic rear window), resulting in a feeling of vastness and omniscience.
I hope CPP loses the sharp angles (think smooooth and elegant - similar in feeling to an Aston Vantage or a Jaguar XJ) and raises the roofline (check out the front windscreen on the new 991, guys), and I really look forward to driving one.
isend2c says:
03:21 PM, 09/21/2011
Doesn't Spyker own Saab, so Saab is saved? obviously not... But why not? Shouldn't Spyker be dragged down with Saab? I like Saab a helluva lot more than Spyker, so I'd like to see at least one useless brand die.