Performance Review: Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet - [1949]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Jensen Interceptor Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1949. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter and the 1950 Aston-Martin DB2 2.6L.This particular Jensen Interceptor has a 3990cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The Interceptor shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Interceptor's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1499 kgs (3304 lbs) this makes the Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Jensen Interceptor shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 3990cc 12V St6 engine produces 130 bhp (96 kW) @ 3700 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 212 lb-ft (287.4 Nm) @ 2200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Jensen Interceptor you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1994 Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 (111.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Jensen Interceptor.

The Jensen Interceptor has a Power to weight ratio of 86.7 bhp per ton and 141.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1949 Interceptor competing with the 1994 Mitsubishi FTO 1.8 (111.6 bhp per ton) or the 1983 Ford Mustang GT 2.3 Turbo (111.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Jensen Interceptor generating around 141.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1968 Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam (166.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Woks 2.0 Turbo (166.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 12.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 13.3 secs, this made the Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet as fast as the 1962 BMW 3200 CS Coupe (13.20 secs) the 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIII AN8 (13.30 secs) the 1954 Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 (13.30 secs) the or the 1970 Skoda UVMV 1100 GT (13.40 secs). This Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet is also faster than the 1962 BMW 3200 CS Coupe (13.20 secs) the 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite MKIII AN8 (13.30 secs) the 1954 Mercedes SL Class 190SL W121 (13.30 secs) the and the 1970 Skoda UVMV 1100 GT (13.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Interceptor and the 2002 Ford Focus ST 170

When talking about the performance of the Jensen Interceptor on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.46 secs @ 74.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Ford Focus ST 170 (18.40 secs), the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (18.40 secs), and the 2011 Abarth 500 Essessee 1.4 Turbo (18.40 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1949 version of the Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet has a maximum speed of 102mph.

Top Speed of the 1949 Interceptor equals the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (113 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1949 Jensen Interceptor 4.0 12v Cabriolet then how about the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (113 mph), the 1979 Volvo 242 GT 2.3 (113 mph), or the 1976 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi MK1 (113 mph).

Related Links:

1949 Interceptor Rivals List.

A Brief History of Jensen

Car Comparison