Car companies love the past yet have no respect for it all the same. Do you think Dodge cares about the Charger being a four-door? Nope. Does Ford give a darn that you’re mad their EV crossover appropriated its essence from the Mustang? Double-nope. So, should it be any surprise that Ford has reintroduced the Capri name and applied it to an EV crossover?
The Capri name first appeared on a Ford product in 1950, initially as a specially-trimmed version of the Lincoln Cosmopolitan. As Lincoln did not have a proper hardtop, Lincoln dressed up the Cosmo Capri with fabric-covered roof, chrome fender trim, and a fancier interior.
The trim package was available through 1951, upon which the Lincoln Capri became an official model for 1952. It was slotted above the Cosmopolitan, then was knocked down during the premiere of the Premiere for 1956. The Lincoln Capri lasted through 1959 and then the name was put to rest.
Over in the United Kingdom, the Capri name was introduced for 1962 as a hardtop coupe version of the Ford Consul, and the Consul Capri lasted through 1964. Several years later, Mercury introduced the Comet Capri as a trim level above the 202 and below the Caliente, though this name would only be used for 1966-67.
During this time, Ford Europe was developing a Euro-style pony car based on the Cortina, and that car was introduced as the 1969 Ford Capri. This very same vehicle reached American shores in the spring of 1970 and was sold at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships (much like another captive import, the DeTomaso Pantera) through 1977. The Capri continued to be produced for the European market through 1984, upon which it was only available in the United Kingdom through 1986.
This very same vehicle reached American shores in the spring of 1970 and was sold at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships (much like another captive import, the DeTomaso Pantera) through 1977. The Capri continued to be produced for the European market through 1984, upon which it was only available in the United Kingdom through 1986.
Since the 1979 model year, Mercury dealerships in the U.S. were selling a Capri based on the Fox platform. It basically was a Mustang hatchback with different styling, and it was produced through 1986.
But it didn’t end there, folks, as the Capri name was revived for an Australian-built 2+2 roadster based on the Mazda 323 that, ironically, targeted the Mazda Miata. This Mercury was available for 1991-94 in the U.S., though production of the Australian Ford Capri began in 1989.
Now, it seems, we have another Capri upon us as Ford Europe has unveiled the Ford Capri EV, an SUV crossover built on VW Group’s MEB platform. That means it shares bones with the Volkswagen ID.4. Horsepower will come from a single electric motor offering 282 horses and 390 miles of range, with the Capri Premium adding a second motor and AWD for 335 horses.
There are no plans to import the Ford Capri to the U.S. However, we’re curious if Europeans will be upset the way Americans were upset about the four-door Charger.
Comments are closed