New Jensen Interceptor to be built by CPP

The first image of the CPP Jensen Interceptor

Ever since we first reported on just how good CPP are at what they do a couple of years ago, we’ve had umpteen stories about the boys from CPP and their ambitions – with the help of ‘Vlad the Investor’ – to make a real mark on the high-end car market. And now comes the news that CPP are to design and build an all new Jensen Interceptor.

Yes, we’ve had other stories in the last few years about ‘New’ Jensen Interceptors, but they’ve all been about updating original donor cars to make them fit for the 21st century. But CPP’s plans are much more ambitious, and a perfect direction for CPP to take.

As regular readers will know, CPP not only build – and own – Spyker, but they also build special high-end cars for a number of luxury car makers – like the Aston Martin One-77 – so they know exactly what they’re doing.

Not only do CPP know exactly what they’re doing, they have also bought in some real quality businesses recently with acquisitions like Bowler, maker of supercar 4x4s, and Zagato, the legendary design house. Which won’t go amiss in the development of the new Jensen Interceptor.

Little is known about CPP’s plans for the new Interceptor much beyond the images here and the intention to unveil the new Jensen at the end of 2012, with the first customer cars arriving in early 2014 – which should tie in perfectly with CPP’s new Browns Lane facility being ready to rock.

We’d expect a design with clear Zagato input, but with more than a passing nod to the heritage of the original Interceptor. CPP say the new Interceptor is based on an all-new aluminium chassis and will be “…echoing the four-seat grand tourer layout of the much-loved original built between 1966 and 1976.” Which sounds appealing enough to us.

Power is most likely to come from a GM V8 (although that’s not a snippet of information from CPP), although between now and 2014 CPP could quite easily have swallowed up a suitable engine supplier in its quest to corner the market.

We’d love to see CPP making the most of Bowler’s abilities by developing a modern version of the original Jensen FF (Ferguson Formula) four wheel drive Interceptor, which would give the new Interceptor a real edge.

Brendan O’Toole, CPP’s MD, seems more than a little keen on the new Jensen Interceptor project. He 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 honoured 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.

We look forward to CPP divulging a bit more about their plans for the new Interceptor before too long. We have no idea on price, but it’s fair to say that it won’t come cheap. But then special never does, and the CPP Interceptor does promise to be special.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, all the rights - assets, intellectual property, designs, and brand rights – for both ‘Jensen’ and ‘Interceptor’ belong to Healey Sports Cars Switzerland Ltd (HSCS), who are very much involved with the new Interceptor project. Liam Cardiff, director of Healey Sports Cars Switzerland, said:

CPP is the perfect partner to revive the iconic Jensen Interceptor.  With the Jensen design team integrated into an organisation with much greater resources and broader expertise, our dream of seeing the Jensen and Interceptor badges once again adorning the bonnets of beautiful, modern, British-built GT cars has come closer to reality.

There have been other Jensen revivals in the past, but CPP’s plans are very credible – and well financed.

We wait for the next instalment in this very promising alliance of Irish nous and Russian money.

(3 photos – click any thumbnail for full size)

By Cars UK