Ford Capri is back but not as you know it! Ford’s cult classic name controversially returns for a new £42k electric SUV
The Ford Capri is back… but not how we know it.
The US car giant has taken the daring decision to relaunch one of its greatest nameplates after a near 40-year hiatus and it is sure to ruffle a few feathers.
Why daring? Well, the ‘new Capri’ isn’t a low-slung, two-door sport coupe with svelte looks like the original; instead, the legendary name badge now controversially adorns a 2.1-tonne electric SUV.
Ford says the battery powered Capri will cost from £42,075 and ‘continues the story of the iconic cult classic’ and ‘will inject some soul into the world of EVs’.
But people are already disagreeing on social media. Responding to Ford UK’s Instagram post revealing the car, one person wrote: ‘Is it an SUV??? Electric??? Way to kill a legend and name.’
The build up to the vehicle’s release has centred around the statement: ‘The legend is back!’ – a phrase used by Eric Cantona in a podcast interview with Gary Lineker this month as it is revealed the former Manchester United player’s recent spate of viral stunts featuring a goat were orchestrated by Ford to promote Capri’s renaissance.
The Capri is back… but this might not be how you expected it to look. Ford’s iconic name has returned after almost 40 years away – but now it’s being used for an electric SUV that bears little resemblance to the original. Prices will start from £42,075
Eric Cantona pictured with the 2024 Ford Capri having featured in a well-orchestrated viral social media campaign hinting at the return of one of the great automotive names of the seventies and eighties
Unveiled today, Ford says the all-electric performance ‘sports SUV’ will ‘rewire Capri for the EV generation’.
It adds: ‘The new all-electric Capri is the car the iconic sports coupe was destined to become. No other family EV has heritage like this.’
It is underpinned by the same platform used for Ford’s other new electric SUV, which coincidentally also uses one of the brand’s former hero names, Explorer – and is an EV This is Money has very recently tested.
Both models are built at the company’s Cologne factory in Germany, which was previously the production home for Fiesta before Ford killed it off last summer.
A Capri by name but not scale: Ford says the battery powered 2024 Capri SUV ‘continues the story of the iconic cult classic’ and ‘will inject some soul into the world of EVs’. But it could also rattle the cages of enthusiasts while doing so
Does the new Ford Capri electric SUV really mirror the two-door sports coupes of old that share its name? We’re not entirely convinced…
Look familiar? While some will argue this isn’t a Capri at all, questions will also be asked about whether it is even a Ford. That’s because the car uses the Volkswagen MEB platform – one that underpins the VW ID.5 (pictured right)
But sharing a platform with Explorer means the new Capri won’t necessarily be a Ford underneath.
Both use Volkswagen’s MEB electric architecture that underpins the similar-size VW ID.4 and ID.5, which is courtesy of a tie-up between the two automotive powerhouses in a cost-cutting, development-sharing partnership penned back in 2020.
However, bosses are adamant that it’s been tweaked and fine-tuned to feel like a Ford, especially focussing on how the coupe-SUV crossover handles.
‘Bringing back a legend as revered as the Ford Capri is a big deal,’ admits Jon Williams, general manager for Ford’s electric vehicle division.
‘We’re excited that the new all-electric Capri is ready to bring some swagger to the world of EVs and introduce a whole new generation of drivers to the spirit of a cult classic.’
‘A cutting-edge EV, designed and built in Europe – Capri has soul that can only come from a brand with genuine heritage.’
Two ‘Extended Range; versions are available to order now, with the cheapest starting at just over £48,000. But if you wait until early next year, you can get your hands on a Standard Range model offering around 250 miles of range for £42,000
How much will the new Ford Capri cost – and when can I order one?
Order books have opened today for two drivetrain options: the £48,075 rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Extended Range model and the £56,175 all-wheel-drive (AWD) Extended Range variant.
The former’s drivetrain is made up of a 77kWh lithium-ion battery sending energy to a single 282bhp (210kW) electric motor at the rear axle.
This marriage offers a 0-to-62mph acceleration time of 6.4 seconds and maximum claimed range of up to 389 miles from a fully-charged battery.
The AWD has a slightly larger 79kWh battery pack linked to dual electric motors – one at the front axle and another at the rear – that produce a combined output of 335bhp (250kW).
The extra potency knocks 1.1 seconds off the 0-62mph time (5.3 seconds) of the two-wheel-drive Capri but the compromise of the additional grunt is a shorter range of 368 miles.
Both have an electronically-limited top speed of 112mph.
First deliveries are due in the UK before the end of the year, likely around November.
The £42,075 entry-price ‘Standard Range’ RWD model will come early next year.
This will feature a smaller 52kWh battery, 168bhp single electric motor and range of around 250 miles. It will have a top speed limited to 99mph.
Ford’s designers say the SUV’s svelte shape has helped it to achieve a greater battery range. The furthest it can go on a full charge is up to 389 miles. This is based on the £48,075 RWD Extended Range model
The pricier £56,175 option is the AWD Extended Range, which has a slightly larger battery capacity and two electric motors instead of one. The extra potency knocks 1.1 seconds off the 0-62mph time (5.3 seconds) of the two-wheel-drive Capri but the compromise of the additional grunt is a shorter range of 368 miles
There are two trim levels to begin with: standard ‘Select’ and a higher-grade ‘Premium’. The former has 19-inch wheels while the latter can be upgraded up to 21-inch rims if you so desire – though the bigger wheels do slightly impact the battery range, which buyers will need to keep in mind.
Customers will have six colour options to choose from: Agate Black; Frozen White; Magnetic Grey; Lucid Red; Blue My Mind; and the eye-catching Vivid Daytona Yellow used for the majority of the unveiling pictures and footage.
Commenting on its unveiling today, COO of the ‘Ford Model e’ electric division, Marin Gjaja, said: ‘If you want the perfect example of how Model e is transforming the Ford business in Europe, look no further than our new all-electric Ford Capri.
‘A cutting-edge EV, designed and built in Europe – Capri has soul that can only come from a brand with genuine heritage.’
The Ford Capri was launched in 1969. It survived through three generations of the sporty coupe. Here is an advert for the original
When it was first shown to the public in January 1969 at the Brussels Motor Show, it was marketed as a cheap, fast and fun coupe. Production for the car began two months earlier at the Halewood plant in Liverpool to ensure every UK dealer would have at least one Capri on its forecourt by the time sales started, such was the stir of demand it created
Does it really pay homage to Ford Capris of the past?
Ask a bunch of Ford fanatics what their favourite model is from the brand’s glittering history and plenty will name the Capri.
When it was first shown to the public in January 1969 at the Brussels Motor Show, it was marketed as a cheap, fast and fun coupe.
Production for the car began two months earlier at the Halewood plant in Liverpool to ensure every UK dealer would have at least one Capri on its forecourt by the time sales started, such was the stir of demand it created.
Prices started from £890 in 1969, which equates to around £18,375 today, according to This is Money’s inflation calculator. That’s more than half the £42,075 starting price of the new one.
The two-door coupe instantly became a hit in the early seventies, with the blue-oval brand selling a staggering 400,000 units in the first 24 months.
Penned by a team led by American automotive designer Philip T. Clark, the Capri was originally intended to be named ‘Colt’ – a reference to the famous Ford Mustang in the hope it would mirror the American pony car’s enormous success on the other side of the Atlantic. And largely, it did.
The one millionth Ford Capri – an RS2600 – pictured coming off the production line at the Saarlouis factory in Germany in 1973
Production of the Ford Capri ended with the Mk3 in 1986. After a 38-year hiatus, its comeback is being celebrated with significant fanfare by the car maker
The Capri gained popularity across Europe as one of the most affordable and popular sports cars, earning the moniker of ‘the working man’s Porsche’.
On sale until 1986, the 17-year production run ended with the Mk3 version and a grand total of 1.9million sales.
And they’re now collector’s item, with values soaring in recent years.
The highest price paid for one at auction changed hands in June 2022 when an enthusiast paid £74,250 for the ‘Holy Grail’ of Capris – a 1972 RS3100 prototype, which is a one-of-a-kind version of the souped-up classic coupe.
Last summer, a pair of Ford Capris that featured in cult 1970s ITV show ‘The Professionals’ that were driven by characters Raymond Doyle (played by Martin Shaw) and William Andrew Philip Bodie (played by Lewis Collins) also sold as a two-vehicle lot for a whopping £186,000.
Celebrity fans of the Capri include TV chef Jamie Oliver and former One Direction member and now solo singer, Harry Styles.
People have already been voicing their opinions about the new Capri on Ford UK’s official Instagram account.
One commenter wrote: ‘Imagine previously making good cars for years, the cars of the everyday person, then getting rid of great vehicle lines for soulless and costly electrification and now producing this and calling it a Capri somehow? A fall from grace.’
It was swiftly followed by another user writing: ‘It was clear when they released the Mach-E but now it’s official! Ford does not care about their heritage at all. Hope it doesn’t sell well at all!’
Another Instagram user responded to the the video with the comment: ‘Another legendary name destroyed by @ford, first Mustang, now the Capri. Just think up of new car names and stop killing historical names.’
Famous Fords: This pair of Carpis that featured on TV screens in hit TV show ‘The Professionals’ sold last year for £186,000 as a twin auction lot
LEFT: Jamie Oliver’s Mk1 Capri was featured in the Channel 4 show Jamie and Jimmy’s Friday Night Feast, and still has the window stickers to prove it. Pictured here with co-host Jimmy Doherty. RIGHT: Harry Styles is among the fans of the iconic Capri. Pictured here in 2014
Has Ford done enough to make the Capri look like its predecessors? The headlights are said to mimic those of past models
Side by side with a Mk3 Capri (left), it’s clear to see that the Ford design team faced an impossible task to reimagine the old model. Even the sloped roofline does little to inspire a nostalgic reaction thanks to the car’s enormous proportions and jacked-up ride height
Ford’s designers revealed sketches of the car and how it was penned to replicate the original two-door coupe. There’s still only very subtle links between the two
Does it look like the Capri of old?
Overlooking the 2024 Capri’s electric drivetrain for one moment, there’s very little about the shape of the new model that triggers the memory to its predecessors of the same name.
Ford says it has a ‘soulful coupe SUV design’ that ‘continues the story of the iconic cult classic’.
However, to attempt to reimagine the original Capri’s style in SUV form was always going to be an impossible task for Ford’s design team – even the sloped roofline does little to inspire a nostalgic reaction thanks to the car’s enormous proportions and jacked-up ride height.
Ford says the new 2024 Capri has a ‘soulful coupe SUV design’ that ‘continues the story of the iconic cult classic’
The black blade panel spanning the rear – flanked at each end by the brake light clusters – is also a nod back to sporty RS variants of the past
Where they have tried to implement elements of the original Capri is in the finer details.
Like the headlight, for instance, which incorporates a pair of oval LEDs per cluster as a reference to its predecessor. The C-shape created where the rear window meets the C-pillar is a design feature of the 1969 motor, too.
The black blade panel spanning the rear – flanked at each end by the brake light clusters – is also a nod back to sporty RS variants of the past.
Thomas Morel, who headed up the exterior design for Capri, said: ‘It’s not every day that you have the chance to redesign an icon.
‘We wanted to bring this spice into the next generation.’
Whether Morel and his fellow designers have achieved this is something we expect to generate plenty of debate among Fast Ford aficionados and collectors.
Ford drafts in football legend Eric Cantona for series of ‘goat’ viral stunts to promote Capri’s return – but why?
Ford has used Eric Cantona and a goat (Capri translating from Italian to goat) to promote the arrival of the new electric SUV in a series of viral stunts. But why?
What has Eric Cantona got to do with the new electric Ford Capri? Erm, that’s a good question and one we’re struggling to answer…
But Ford effectively used the French Manchester United legend to drum up a social media frenzy ahead of the EV’s unveiling.
It started with adverts placed in a number of print publications last month under the bogus company name ‘Comeback Cars’. The interactive ad – which directed readers to a WhatsApp chatbot – featured Cantona’s famous 1995 quote: ‘When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.’
It was shortly followed by viral social media posts including a clip of Cantona walking a goat down the street in a hilarious video – in which he’s wearing a Ford-branded cap – and photos shared of a flag being flown at Glastonbury showing the eccentric footballer-turned-poet with the animal.
All were stunts orchestrated and planted purposely by the car maker.
Cantona’s exploits over recent weeks haven’t gone unnoticed, however it has been difficult to link some of the viral social media appearances to the return of the Ford Capri
Apparently, the link is that Capri translates from Italian to ‘goat’. There’s also the obvious reference to ‘Greatest Of All Time’. But where Eric Cantona comes into the equation, we’re not too sure.
Appearing on ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast – hosted by Gary Lineker alongside Alan Shearer and Micah Richards – on 4 July, Cantona was quizzed about the recent goat appearances. In his response, Eric said: ‘When a goat follows his hero in his car it’s because the ruler on the race track returns.’ After removing his headphones to leave the podcast show, Cantona signed off with: ‘The legend is back,’ in a nod to the Capri’s relaunch.
The raft of oddball promotional exploits eventually came to a close earlier this week when Ford UK’s official X account shared a video of Cantona attempting to plug an EV charger into a Mk3 Capri. On the back window of the car were the words ‘THE LEGEND IS BACK’ accompanied by today’s date, ‘10.07.24’.
<!- – ad: – ->
2024 Ford Capri is no lightweight
The 1969 original tipped the scale at around just one tonne and Capri owners notoriously referenced how ‘tail happy’ the car was, with some often resorting to putting a bag of cement or paving slab in the boot to stop it skidding around, especially in the wet.
But that’s the last thing you’ll want to put in the back of the Capri EV, with the electrified successor weighing in at more than twice the bulk of the original.
The introduction of stricter rules around crash protection, mandated safety features and modern luxuries in today’s cars means there’s little point comparing old with new – especially across such a significant gulf in time.
But the Capri SUV is no lightweight, even by 2024 standards thanks to its electric drivetrain.
The lightest (RWD Extended Range Select) measures in at 2,098kg, whereas the heaviest (AWD Extended Range Premium) is 2,190kg.
It means the Capri – marketed as a sporty coupe – is only a fraction lighter than the current Range Rover.
In terms of dimensions, the Capri is much smaller than the British luxury off-roader; the Ford is 4,634mm long, 2,063mm wide (with mirrors out) and 1,626mm high.
For comparison purposes, it is much closer to the scale of a Range Rover Evoque than the full-fat Range Rover.
In terms of the wealth of technological safety kit the Capri boasts, the latest systems include Assisted Lane Change and Clear Exit Warning.
The former powers automated lane changes at the flick of a switch, while the Clear Exit feature alerts occupants if a cyclist is about to pass so they don’t open their door into their path.
With a claimed 560 litres of boot space (1,510 with the rear backrests folded down), the Capri can fit four medium-size suitcases in the back. It’s on par with the luggage compartment of the BMW 5 Series Touring estate
Fast charging the Ford Capri en route to a destination won’t take too long. Both powertrain options can up the battery from 10% to 80% charge in less than half an hour
Capri EV is the ‘ultimate getaway car’
No, Ford isn’t suggesting you rob a bank in its reborn Capri – but it does recommend it for weekend trips and longer holidays.
It says the performance figures should make the Capri ‘the ultimate car for a getaway’ when also taking into account the EV’s short charging times and capacious luggage volume.
If drivers can locate a compatible public fast charger en route to destinations, both Capri drivetrains can up battery capacity from 10 to 80 per cent in less than half an hour (28 mins for the RWD and 26 mins for the AWD).
And with 627 litres of boot space (1,510 with the rear backrests folded down), it offers plenty of room for four medium-size suitcases – though these figures are based on loading up to the roof so you can’t see out of the rear window. Use the parcel shelf and it will only take up to 560 litres.
In terms of boot capacity, the Capri offers around the same as a BMW 5 Series Touring estate, which is pretty impressive.
There’s little in terms of original features. We would have preferred to have seen the incorporation of classic oval dials in the digital instrument cluster and some retro switches. The only nod back to the original is the lower spoke of the steering wheel having three holes machined out of it
The upper section of the dashbaord, running from behind the narrow digital instrument cluster and steering wheel and extending beyond the centre console, is in fact a Bang & Olufsen soundbar
What’s it like inside the Ford Capri EV SUV?
Ford is promising a ‘luxurious interior’ that – like most new models being unveiled right now – focuses on a ‘minimalist and digital feel’.
However, this also means it has overlooked heritage by carrying no original Capri cabin features over, such as classic oval dials and a few retro switches.
Instead, it looks fairly nondescript by modern car standards. The only nod back to the original is the lower spoke of the steering wheel having three holes machined out of it.
The cabin has a two-layer dashboard, with the upper section running from behind the narrow digital instrument cluster and steering wheel and extending beyond the centre console is in fact a TV-style, 10-way Bang & Olufsen soundbar. Expect the Capri to be a nice place to listen to music!
Dominating the dash is a portrait-orientated 14.6-inch touchscreen. Like in the Explorer, this can be tilted to various angles to make it easier to see for drivers of different heights but also to prevent sunlight glare on the display. It also has the ‘My Private Locker’ feature hidden behind it where driver and passengers can keep valuables out of sight.
Ford says the Capri has a ‘luxurious interior’ that – like most new models being unveiled right now – focuses on a ‘minimalist and digital feel’
Like the Explorer, the new Ford Capri features the ‘My Private Locker’ storage section hidden behind the infotainment screen (pictured left) – this is where driver and passengers can keep valuables out of sight. It too shares the 17-litre ‘MegaConsole’ beneath the front armrest (pictured right), which is deep enough to hide away a laptop
The dramatically-sloping roof line in the back could mean there’s little in terms of headroom for taller occupants, but square-shape side windows and a large panoramic roof make it look relatively airy
The Capri too shares the 17-litre ‘MegaConsole’ beneath the front armrest, which is deep enough to hide away a laptop.
As standard, all Capris have heated front seats and steering wheel. The driver also gets a choice of massage settings and the ability to pre-set their ideal seat position that electronically adjusts when you get in.
All versions also get smartphone integration for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a wireless smartphone charger.
A timeline of the original Ford Capri (1969 – 1986)
Ford Capri Mk1: 1969 – 1974
Ford Capri MkI (1969-1974)
Inspired by the success of the Ford Mustang, the Ford Capri was developed to bring affordable sports coupe style and performance to customers in Europe.
The Mk1 Capri was unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show, Belgium in 1969 and was immediately popular, accumulating 400,000 sales in the first two years in showrooms.
Early limited edition examples included the Capri Special in 1971; it was only available in striking Vista Orange, and could be equipped with supercar-style rear spoiler and window slats.
Capri’s swagger wasn’t limited to the road – it was a star of the racetrack too. The Capri RS2600 won the European Touring Car Championship in 1971 and 1972. The sporty Capri RS3100 was also built to go racing.
Ford Capri Mk2: 1974 – 1978
Ford Capri MkII: 1974-1978
A new hatchback tailgate was one of the big changes for the Capri Mk2 introduced in 1974. It made the coupe more practical, while other changes made the interior more modern and the car better to drive.
The 1975 Capri Special was another limited edition model with a dazzling colour scheme. It was available only in black or white, it had gold-coloured pinstripes on the bonnet, sides and rear, as well as gold-coloured wheels and special seat trim with gold-coloured inserts.
Being able to personalise Capri by choosing specific options was always a big part of the sports car’s appeal. ‘Series X’ kits introduced for Capri in 1977 meant customers could choose Ford Rallye Sport features to make the car go and look how they wanted.
Ford Capri Mk3: 1978 – 1986
Ford Capri MkIII: 1978-1986
The sleeker, more aggressive styling of the Mk3 Capri was a perfect fit for the new decade on the horizon. Four round headlamps connected by horizontal grille slats became an iconic 1980s design feature.
Turbocharging wasn’t the only sophisticated engine technology used by the Capri. Modern fuel injection for a new 2.8-litre engine made the Fast Ford more refined and fuel efficient, while boosting the sports coupe performance.
In 1986, Ford marked the end of Capri production with a final limited edition Capri 280 – just over 1,000 examples were made and all were painted Brooklands Green.
Source: Ford
<!- – ad: – ->
VIDEO
ELECTRIC CAR VIDEOS
Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.
