Jensen FF

The Jensen FF was a sports car of Gran Turismo class (GT ) of the British automobile manufacturer Jensen. He was one of the first cars with all-wheel drive and the first anti -lock braking system. Between 1966 and 1971, only 320 copies were built in West Bromwich.

All-wheel drive

The Jensen FF decreed the first passenger car already 14 years ahead of the Audi quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Four-wheel drives have been used until then only on commercial vehicles, military equipment and SUVs.

The all-wheel drive system used in the vehicle came from Ferguson Research. The company, founded by former tractor manufacturers Sir Harry Ferguson ( Massey Ferguson ) in cooperation with the racing driver and engineer Tony Rolt, developed in the late 1950s, a permanent all-wheel drive for a Formula 1 car ( Ferguson P99 ). Jensen acquired the exclusive rights to its use in his sports car. The term refers FF as an abbreviation for Ferguson Formula on this partnership.

The power transmission takes place in the Jensen FF from the engine via the automatic transmission to a planet with differential lock by double clutch. From there the drive force via a chain -driven cardan shaft and a bevel gear differential to the front wheels and on a further shaft and also a differential to the rear wheels is transmitted. The three differentials, the variable link between the engine and the wheels is enabled, that is necessary for cornering at higher speeds. The force distribution is carried out to 37% to the front wheels and 63% to the rear wheels.

Anti -lock braking system

The Jensen FF was the first passenger car equipped with the early electro-mechanical Dunlop Maxaret anti-lock system, which was hitherto only been in airplanes and racing cars used. In order for the car for that time offered a maximum of active safety in the field of brake delay.

Unlike modern electronically controlled anti-lock systems are, in Jensen FF to a mechanical system, which detects the blocking of a shaft in the transfer case and then electrically reduces the negative pressure in the brake booster.

Body

The design of the Jensen FF is based on the same year featured Interceptor. However, the components of the four-wheel drive made ​​significant changes to the frame - required and the front area of ​​the body - longer front end and a larger distance between the supporting longitudinal pipes. In addition to the extended by 10 centimeters body of the Jensen FF is 150 kilograms heavier than the Interceptor.

From its cheaper sister model without all-wheel drive of the Jensen FF is easily distinguished by the longer front with a second lateral vent and by the special air scoop on the hood.

All Jensen FF were produced as a right-hand drive, because the space- consuming drive unit was generally designed. Differential and propeller shaft were on the left side. A left-hand drive was not produced, because this a costly redesign of the drive train would have been necessary.

Motor

Jensen FF is powered by a 6.3 -liter eight-cylinder Chrysler engine with 325 hp SAE. As power transmission is used which was also developed by Chrysler three-speed automatic transmission of the type TorqueFlite. Despite the high empty weight of about 2 tons the vehicle needs only 8.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h and reaches a top speed of 210 km / h The fuel consumption is about 20 liters per 100 km.

Model history

Jensen installed the all-wheel drive system from Ferguson for the first time in a converted C- V8. The plant was expected to produce this modified C - V8 in series; Prospectuses for this Jensen FF mentioned cars were printed in the course of 1966 and disseminated. Ultimately, the company management decided to implement the system in a new car - the Interceptor - because it kept the design of the C- V8 for unattractive and no longer competitive.

The production models of the Jensen FF therefore based on the Interceptor coupes. Between 1966 and 1971 ( Mk I to Mk III) were produced a total of only 320 pieces in three generations.

The Jensen FF was not a commercial success. The price was very high, located about 30 % over the similar-looking, but the rear-engined Jensen Interceptor and on top of that partially over the much more prestigious of luxury GTs other brands. The original price was 1970 at the equivalent of 87,500 D-Mark.

Since the Jensen FF was offered only as a right-hand drive, he could also not be sold in major markets like the U.S., Switzerland or Germany.