While American muscle cars are known for their massive engines, European cars usually focus on smaller, more efficient engines that improve handling. However, a few European cars, like the British-made Jensen Interceptor, bucked this trend by using huge engines.
The Jensen Interceptor, a stylish four-seat coupe, holds the title for having the biggest V8 engine ever in a European muscle car. Introduced in 1971, the Interceptor Mark III was equipped with a 7.2-liter (440 cubic inches) Chrysler V8 engine.
This powerful engine, originally built in the U.S., produced up to 390 horsepower and 490 lb-ft of torque in its most potent “Six Pack” version, which had three two-barrel carburetors. The engine was designed to be durable and could be easily upgraded for even more power.
The Chrysler 440 V8 was chosen because it was powerful, reliable, and relatively easy to maintain. It was also built to handle more power than it originally produced, making it a perfect fit for the Interceptor. Jensen’s decision to use this engine allowed them to create a car with the power and presence of a true muscle car, something rare in Europe at the time.
While Mercedes-Benz also made powerful V8 engines, like the 6.2-liter engine in the 2012 C 63 AMG Coupe, it didn’t match the sheer size of the Chrysler engine in the Interceptor. This makes the Jensen Interceptor standout as the European muscle car with the largest displacement V8 engine ever produced.
