10/07/2024 Ford’s partnership with Volkswagen has given us the Ford Explorer EV and today in London Ford officially debuted a second car based on the German firm’s ‘ID’ electric car underpinnings – The Ford Capri… yes, the historic name has been reborn.
We were given a preview of the car at the Explorer’s launch but had signed NDAs so we were gagged. Ford is using the power of a historic Ford model name to gain instant traction for the four-door car that looks nothing like a classic Capri. Ford has used this naming trick recently with the Mustang Mach-E. Name recognition is king it seems – but as a classic Ford fan, I’m annoyed. When the new Capri was revealed to us, I, and the vast majority of journalists present, hoped for a two-door sporty coupe that would raise our pulses. Instead, Ford revealed a rather unremarkable looking electric car that in no way, bar a familiar curve to the C pillar’s glass, could be seen as a homage to what was Ford of Europe’s Mustang wanna-be. The new Capri as a car will be absoloutley fine and brimming with tech, of that I’m sure – but its name… its just wrong and has distracted me. The new Capri no doubt will impress when we get to road test it but “Ford you have forgotten your heritage”. Growing up in the last century, a neighbour had Capris from the mark 1 onwards. In my early days of mtoring journalism I got to drive many generations of Carpis and grades e.g. Lasers, 2.8 Injection (below) and the iconic 3.0S.
All were utterly impractical and clearly no-compromise coupes. The original was a head-turner and in truth pretty terrible to drive. Capris had giant turning circles, dreadful handling and bad brakes (pre abs) but that said the Capri was always a statement on the road – the new one I fear isn’t! TV shows flocked to it and it was adored by many. I understand the thinking by Ford in using a much loved name and know there are many younger motorists who have no clue about Capri’s heritage, and won’t care, but Ford has been lazy calling this new model a Capri. There are countless retro Ford four-door car names that would be more appropriate e.g. Sierra, Mondeo, Cortina or Orion!? Rant over. Watch this space for our test drive of the new… argh… Capri. Michael Sheridan
