Ford brings back the Capri - but thoroughly differently
The Ford Capri was Europe's Muscle-Car. Now, the Cologne carmakers are taking back the model name - for a completely different car.
Ford is bringing back the Capri in a new edition - it is not like the original from the late 1960s, which was a European muscle-car, but an electric crossover with a coupe roof. The Explorer's sibling model, recently introduced, promises ranges above 600 kilometers and power outputs of over 300 PS. Prices start at €52,000.
Although the Capri shares the same electric platform with the Explorer SUV, it appears visually distinct. Not only in the coupe-like roofline, but also in the front, which is designed more sportily than bulky. The flat grille is meant to remind one of the muscularly modeled shoulder line and the round-edged rear side window of the namesake model.
With a length of 4.63 meters, the Capri is about 15 centimeters longer than its platform sibling, mainly due to the longer rear overhang. Above that is the cargo area with a capacity of 570 liters (1,510 liters with the folded rear seat), which is covered by a large hatch.
Ranges of around 600 kilometers
At the start, the crossover coupe relies exclusively on the at least 77 kWh large long-range battery, which can be combined with rear- or all-wheel drive. In the first case, 210 kW/286 PS are available, with a range of 627 kilometers.
When two motors are on board, the power increases to 250 kW/340 PS, but the range drops to 592 kilometers despite the addition of two kilowatt-hours of capacity.
Both versions can be charged at the wallbox and normal socket with up to 11 kW, the rear-wheel-drive model charges at the fast charger with 135 kW, and the all-wheel-drive version charges with 185 kW. Further versions may follow, including an entry-level model with a smaller battery.
The Capri is priced around €2,000 above the Explorer. The next technology sibling at VW, the ID.5, is only a few hundred euros more expensive. Among other competitors are the Tesla Model Y, Volvo C40, and Kia EV6.
Naming References to History
In naming, Ford, like with the Explorer, looked back to its own history. While the Explorer drew inspiration from a popular model in the US, the Capri is a purely European one.
The Capri, produced in Cologne and England since 1969, took inspiration from US pony cars but was developed in and for Europe. Until the mid-1980s, it formed a sporty trio with the Opel Manta and VW Scirocco, which found favor among young drivers due to relatively low prices for a lot of horsepower.
The Ford Capri's revival as an electric crossover highlights the company's interest in Electromobility and Electric cars. Despite sharing a platform with the Explorer, the new Capri showcases unique Ford-Models design features, including a coupe roof and a sporty front.
