Jensen FF
| Jensen FF | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Jensen Motors |
| Production | 1966–1971 320 produced |
| Assembly | West Bromwich, England |
| Designer | Federico Formenti at Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-door 4-seat coupé |
| Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Jensen Interceptor |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6,277 cc (6.3 L; 383.0 cu in) [Chrysler 383] V8 |
| Transmission | 3-speed TorqueFlite A727 automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 109 in (2,769 mm) |
| Length | 191 in (4,851 mm) |
| Width | 69 in (1,753 mm) |
| Height | 55 in (1,397 mm) |
| Kerb weight | 3,808 lb (1,727 kg) |
The Jensen FF is a four-wheel drive grand tourer produced by British car manufacturer Jensen Motors between 1966 and 1971. It was the first non all-terrain production car equipped with four-wheel drive and an anti-lock braking system. The powertrain was sourced from Chrysler, installing the second generation 6,277 cc (6.3 L; 383.0 cu in) V8 engine and 3-speed TorqueFlite A727 automatic transmission.
The use of four-wheel drive in a passenger car preceded the successful AMC Eagle by thirteen years, the Audi Quattro by fourteen years, and the Subaru Leone by five years. The Dunlop Maxaret mechanical anti-lock braking system had previously been used only on aircraft, lorries, and racing cars. An experimental version was first fitted to the earlier Jensen C-V8, but this did not go into production.
The letters FF stand for Ferguson Formula, after Ferguson Research Ltd., who invented the car's four-wheel drive system. The FF is related to the similar-looking, rear-wheel drive Jensen Interceptor, but is 127 mm (5.0 in) longer, and mechanically very different.
Standard FF features included front seat belts, a tachometer, and map pockets.