Car enthusiasts are often critical when a brand reintroduces an iconic name on a car that differs from the original, and the new Ford Capri provides another opportunity for this reaction. While the original Capri was a gas-powered two-door sports coupe sold in Europe from 1968 to 1986, the new Capri is an electric four-door crossover sedan built on a Volkswagen platform. The design of the new Capri resembles the Polestar 2, featuring a sedan profile with a raised ride height, body cladding, a sloping liftback hatch, and bluff overhangs. At 182.4 inches long, the Capri is slightly shorter than the Mustang Mach-E but similar in height and width.
The new Capri incorporates design elements inspired by the old Capris, such as the rounded D-pillar, quarter window, quad LED headlights and taillights, black A-pillar, and black panel “grille.” Additionally, the Capri name is stamped into the front bumper. Ford claims that “the new all-electric Capri is the car the iconic sports coupe was destined to become,” emphasizing its heritage. The Capri is based on VW’s MEB platform, similar to the Europe-only Ford Explorer EV. The base model is rear-wheel drive with a 77-kWh battery pack and a single electric motor producing 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds.
The all-wheel-drive version of the Capri has a 79-kWh battery and two electric motors generating a total of 335 hp, reducing the 0-to-62-mph time to 5.3 seconds. Ford claims a range of 390 miles on the European WLTP cycle for the single-motor Capri and 368 miles for the dual-motor version. However, charging times are relatively slow, with the rear-drive Capri taking 28 minutes to reach 80% charge at 135 kW and the AWD model requiring 26 minutes at 185 kW.
The interior of the Capri closely resembles that of the Explorer EV, featuring sport seats with integrated headrests, a squircle-shaped steering wheel, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, a lockable cubby hole, and a “MegaConsole” under the front armrest. Standard features include a massaging driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation, keyless entry, and various driver-assist technologies. Optional upgrades include a hands-free tailgate, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, B&O sound system, and more.
Production of the Capri will take place in Cologne, Germany, alongside the Explorer EV, with deliveries expected to begin soon. In the UK, the Capri is priced approximately £5,000 higher than the Mustang Mach-E and £2,000 more than the Explorer EV, despite similar sizes. Overall, the new Ford Capri offers a blend of modern electric technology with nostalgic design elements, catering to both heritage enthusiasts and eco-conscious consumers.
