Key Takeaways
- Ford’s Capri, once associated with the Mustang, is now back as an electric crossover under Volkswagen influence.
- Powertrains include rear-wheel-drive models with 284 hp, 390 miles of range, and luxurious interior features.
- The new Ford Capri model is sleek and offers a comfortable drive, but nostalgic enthusiasts may find it disappointing.
The Ford Capri was once an icon with several close parallels to the Ford Mustang, including but not limited to its relation to the Ford Probe, but that’s a whole other story. What matters to enthusiasts who recall the Seventies through rose-tinted glasses is that it was a European-designed rear-wheel-drive coupe that the masses could afford. A South African version called the Perana even got approval to use the Mustang’s V8 engine, but in America, the Capri was not immediately recognizable as a Ford, being marketed exclusively through Lincoln-Mercury dealers.
Sadly, none of that sporty pony car charm exists for the resurrection of the nameplate. It’s not a Ford underneath, but a Volkswagen ID.5, and on top, it’s not a sports car anymore either. Ironically, like the Mustang Mach-E, it has become an electric crossover. When will the milking of famous nameplates end? Is it really that difficult to invent new names without infringing on copyrights and without offending anyone? In all fairness, it probably is nearly impossible, but this represents more than just the repurposing of a name.
Ford
Ford is one of America’s oldest automakers and one of the oldest in the world, popularized for being the first to effectively mass produce the automobile under Henry Ford with the Ford Model T. In over 120 years, Ford has become a sales leader in a variety of segments, with popular nameplates like the Ford F-150, Transit, and Mustang.
- Founded
- June 16, 1903
- Founder
- Henry Ford
- Headquarters
- Dearborn, Michigan, USA
- Owned By
- Publicly Traded
- Current CEO
- Jim Farley
Several Powertrains
Partnerships like this enable far greater economies of scale, and there’s a good possibility that more will follow. So far, we’ve seen Ford and VW collaborate on the midsize Ranger and Amarok Pickups, as well as the Explorer and ID.4 EVs. For the Capri, VW has provided Ford with a base setup that provides 284 hp to the rear wheels. This has a 77 kWh battery and 390 miles of range on the generous WLTP cycle and will hit 62 mph in 6.4 – all for £48,075, roughly $61,700. If that’s too rich for your blood, a cheaper model (roughly $54,000 at current exchange rates) will eventually follow with 168 hp and a 52 kWh battery.
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On the other end of the scale, an AWD 79kWh model with 336 hp will get to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds and clock 368 miles of range in perfect conditions for roughly $67,000. As for recharging, the biggest battery takes 26 minutes to charge from 10-80% while the 77 kWh unit is two minutes slower. The former maxes out on a DC charger at 185 kW, while the latter manages 135 kW. On AC charging, both get 11 Kw. Curb weights range from 4,625-4,828 lbs, carried by either 19-, 20-, or 21-inch wheels, depending on trim. All models have a top speed of 180 mph.
Simple And Stylish
The exterior can be had with Matrix LED headlights, a hands-free tailgate, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and ambiet lighting, but as standard, you already get a 14.6-inch SYNC Move infotainment display, a five-inch driver display, a massaging driver’s seat, heated front seats and steering wheel, wireless smartphone integration, and a ‘MegaConsole’ center storage system that provides 0.6 cubes of volume. Speaking of volume, the cargo area offers up to 22.1 cubic feet of storage with the seats in place. Drop them and you get as much as 53.3 cubes of volume.
“Inside, I think this is exactly how an original Capri driver would have expected the future to feel.”
– Amko Leenarts, Ford of Europe Director of Design
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It does have its merits.
Keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers, and a wireless phone charger are also included, and even you get the regular Capri rather than the Capri Premium, with its 10-speaker B&O system and its subwoofer, you do get seven speakers with a soundbar. A panoramic glass roof is also standard for most markets (and only standard on the Premium if you live in the UK). A head-ip display, active park assist, lane centering and lane change assists, and a 360-degree camera are also included, but what about the way it looks.
A Compelling Package For Most
Ford has already seen success in repurposing the Puma nameplate as an affordable crossover for the masses, and these days, that’s what most buyers need. That being said, it’s impossible for us to look at something named after a buidling block in the core memories of many enthusiasts without addressing its total departure from all that seared it into their memories in the first place. The original coupe had a slanted roof, and we must admit that this is present in the crossover. It also had a relatively pert rear end, with a wedgelike rear fascia smoothed by chrome bumpers. This looks similar to a Polestar or Volvo, but we can appreaciate that the taillight graphics try to reference the original car, albeit very mildly. A Capri badge confuses 40-year-olds who follow.
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At the front, on the other hand, there’s very little that makes a splash, for better or worse. The LED headlights are separated by a faux grille panel where the name of the car reappears as a means of repetitive reinforcement. However, there’s little else to talk about. The design is neither egregious nor exciting. Perhaps that sums up the Capri. It’s nothing we haven’t seen done before, and it’s not so bad that we’re forced to hate it. Still, it’s confirmation that sports cars are the last thing on European Ford buyers minds at the moment.
