Jensen S-V8

Jensen S-V8
Overview
Manufacturer	Jensen Motors
Production	2001-2002
Assembly	Speke
Designer	Howard Guy and Gary Doy[1]
Body and chassis
Body style	Two-door convertible
Powertrain
Engine	4.6 L V8

The Jensen S-V8 is the most recent in a series of Jensen cars. After a £10 million investment, including Liverpool City Council and the Department of Trade and Industry, the two-seater convertible was launched at the 1998 British International Motor Show, with an initial production run of 300 deposit paid vehicles planned at a selling price of £40,000 each, but by October 1999 it was confirmed that 110 orders had been placed.^[2]

The new Merseyside factory in Speke commenced production in August 2001^[3] but troubles with manufacture meant production ceased with only 20 ever leaving the factory and another 18 cars left partially completed. The company went into administration in July 2002.

The Jensen name and partially completed cars were later sold to SV Automotive of Carterton, Oxfordshire, in 2003 who decided to complete the build of 12 of the cars, retaining the others for spares, and finally selling them for £38,070.^[4]

Specification

The S-V8 is powered by a Ford Mustang sourced 4·6-litre^[5] (4601 cc), 32-valve, four-cam, V8 engine producing 325 bhp (242 kW; 330 PS), with a top speed of 160 mph (260 km/h) and 0-60 mph in less than five seconds.

C-V8

A coupe version of the convertible S-V8 was planned, but due to the company's troubles it never saw the light of day bar one prototype.

References

1. "2003 Jensen SV8". H&H Auctions. 23 July 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
2. "Jensen roars back". BBC News. 12 October 1999. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
3. "New Jensen S-V8 enters production". The Telegraph. 25 August 2001. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
4. "The tragic tale of the Jensen S-V8". The Telegraph. 14 June 2003. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
5. "Jensen SV8". Auto Express. 10 June 2003. Retrieved 10 October 2012.