1998 Jensen S-V8

The British-built S-V8 was powered by a hand-built, all-alloy 4.6-liter V8 from Ford's Special Vehicle Team. The vehicle was shown at the 1999 Earls Car Motor Show and again at the 2000 Birmingham Show in the UK. It went into on sale during the summer of 2001. With 320 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, the S-V8 was capable of going from zero-to-sixty mph in less than five seconds with a top speed of over 160 miles-per-hour. The body panels were constructed from dent-resistant and lightweight aluminum. A five-speed manual gearbox and independent suspension gives it excellent handling and performance. The engine was planted in the front and powered the rear wheels. This left the trunk for luggage. The top could be folded-down and placed behind the seats.

The S-V8 is a two-seat convertible, high-performance sports car. The S-V8 was designed by Design Q, a design shop that has created other designs for the Jensen motors and manufacturing.

Re-emerging as a maker of sports cars and continuing the high standards of British legacy and pedigree, the S-V8 is poised to be a highly successful, low-production sports car.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2005