The Jensen Interceptor (and FF) were clearly the most
outstanding vehicles built by Jensen. It was both good-looking
and quick and displayed a new touring-style body.
The FF was the world's first production car to use the four-wheel-drive system developed by Harry Ferguson Research Ltd. The "Ferguson Formula" (thus FF) split the torque at 67% rear,
37% to front which gave the car unreal handling qualities.
Combined with its anti-lock brakes, this car became
known as the world's safest, and it would be some 15
years before another manufacturer was able to fit a four wheel drive system to a performance road car, in this instance the
Audi Quattro.
The
FF's appearance was very similar to the Interceptor
and both had much in common. The FF had a slightly altered frontal treatment, with a raised air intake on top of the bonnet and additional intakes on the front wings.
The automatic motor was powered with a 6.3-liter V8,
but the FF had a slightly longer wheel base and nose.
The underside of the chassis was markedly different
between the cars with the front showing a chassis-mounted
differential taking the drive to the front wheels.
In
1968 the cars received a mild make-over, which included new door trim panels, wood veneer round the central consile and gear selector, and electronically heated rear windows. The Interceptors were finished in Charcoal Grey or Stratosphere Blue, while the FF's were finished in Metallic Peat, with matching fawn roof.
The performance of the FF suffered slightly due to extra
weight, compared to the two-wheel drive Interceptor.
But it could still reach 0-96 km/h in around 8 seconds.
Although widely acclaimed, the FF was a third more costly
than the Interceptor, which caused sales to suffer. The FF discontinued production in
1971, with the Interceptor
following some 5 years later.