Ford revives iconic Capri as coupé-style EV crossover

Ford has revived the Capri name for a sportier coupé-style version of its new Explorer full-electric SUV based on the Volkswagen-sourced MEB platform. The new Capri, unveiled on July 10th, will be built in Ford’s factory in Cologne, Germany. Prices in Belgium start at €47,750 for the basic 125 kW RWD version with a 52 kWh battery, which will arrive a little later.

The original Capri was a Europe-focused coupé, also made in Cologne. It was launched in 1969 and Ford sold 400,000 examples in the first two years. Production continued until 1987. The first-generation Capri was also sold in the US Nods to the original Capri include LED driving lights that suggest the original twin headlights.

Ford’s use of the Capri nameplate follows its revival of the Puma badge for its small SUV, which will also boast a fully electric version soon and is currently Ford’s best-selling model in Europe, and the extension of the Mustang name for the Mach E electric car.

Family ties, 627 km range

The relationship between the Explorer and the new sports crossover is the same as that of the VW ID.4 SUV and the VW ID.5 coupé crossover. The same goes for the Skoda Enyaq and the Enyaq Coupé. All of these use the MEB platform and are classified as midsize SUVs or crossovers.

The Capri’s range is up to 627 km, slightly higher than the top range of 602 km quoted for the Explorer long range. In the dual-motor version, the Capri has a 79-kilowatt-hour battery with a maximum DC (direct current) charging speed of 185 kilowatts, meaning the car can be charged from 10 percent to 80% in 26 minutes.

With the Explorer’s 77 kWh battery, the single-motor Extended Range version can fast-charge at 135 kW (28 minutes for 10 to 80%). There’s also a Standard Range basic version with a smaller 52 kWh battery pack.

One or two motors

The single-motor, rear-wheel-drive model has an output of 210 kW/286 hp and a 0-100 kph time of 6.4 seconds, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive model gets 250 kW/340 hp, cutting the acceleration time to 100 kph to 5.3 seconds. The most powerful version has a maximum range of 592 km.

The Capri is 4,634 mm long, or 4,734 mm, with the standard integrated towbar in position; the Explorer is 4,460 mm long, and the Mustang Mach E is 4,712 mm long, which makes them direct rivals in size. Of course, the technique/platform is completely different.

The new car is 1,872 mm wide and 1,626 mm high. Its wheelbase is 2,767 mm. The towbar hides away in the rear bumper when not in use. The trunk space is 572 liters, and there is a 17-liter ‘mega console’ storage center between the front seat occupants.

Standard equipment includes heated front seats with a massage function on the driver’s side, a heated steering wheel, and an adjustable 14.6-inch center touch screen. Options include a heat pump to increase range, a panoramic sunroof, and a driver assist pack with a head-up display, active park assist, and a 360-degree camera. There will be a basic and a Premium version, with 20-inch wheels, a B&O sound system, ambient lighting, and an electric tailgate.

Made in Cologne

The Capri will be built on the same line as the Explorer at Ford’s Cologne plant in Germany. Production of the Explorer started in June following a $2 billion upgrade to switch to making electric cars from the Fiesta small car.

On a June visit to the Cologne facility, Ford told journalists that production volumes will be two-thirds Explorer and one-third Capri. Ford has the potential to build a total of 250,000 units annually of the two cars on three shifts in Cologne.

Rivals for the Capri are, of course, the EVs on the same MEB platform, like the VW ID.5, the Skoda Enyaq Coupe, and the Cupra Tavascan. Rivals outside the VW-Ford partnership include the Tesla Model Y (Europe’s best-selling car in 2023), the Smart #3, the Volvo C40 Recharge, the Polestar 2, and the Nissan Ariya, to name just a few examples.

The official Belgian prices are as follows: € 47,750 for the Capri EV Standard Range RWD with 52 kWh battery. €51,450 for the Extended Range RWD with the 77 kWh battery, and €61,450 for the Extended Range AWD with the largest 79 kWh battery pack.