The Car You Always Promised Yourself
Exclaimed Ford’s advertising campaign back in 1969 when the iconic Ford Capri was launched. A Mustang for the UK market was Ford’s aim. Originally it was going to be named the Colt, keeping with the equine theme, but Mitsubishi were using that name.
A two door coupe offered in numerous trim levels and variants including engine options of a four pot 1.6, 2.0 V4 and a 3.0 V6 at the end of the launch year. Engine sizes changed over time with the switch to fuel injection that replaced carburettor set-ups. Three generations later in 1987, came the last edition – the 280 Brooklands rolled off the production line. Then radio silence for the Capri name prevailed until this year.
Ford has launched the new Capri as an electric only SUV format vehicle. With its four doors and crossover SUV design, the manufacturer is obviously aiming at where the market demand is currently. A new two door coupe would just not generate volume sales in today’s crowded electric vehicle market.
At first glance, with the badges removed, this reincarnation could be mistaken for many other marque’s electric car offerings today. A side view resembles a Polestar 2 with a curved C pillar legacy Capri window. A closer look around the car, for those who are old enough to remember, reveals vague similarities such as the shaped bonnet line over the headlamps. The Capri lettering on the boot appears to be of a similar font to the old MKIII’s graphics.
The new model has two power options, a single motor driving the rear wheels only and a dual-motor option with all wheel drive. Many of the assembled parts are shared with Volkswagen’s ID5 model.
Performance and range are comparable to other vehicles in its class. Who will the Capri appeal to? Probably all demographics, young and old as the SUV is practical. Priced around £50,000, time will tell how many of these Italian island named cars will explore our roads. ©
