Can an EV drive like a Capri? Ford caused uproar when it reintroduced the iconic name for its new electric SUV – so, is it any good? We test it

It was arduous to overlook the relaunch of the Ford Capri earlier this yr.

French Manchester United legend Eric Cantona was the face of the marketing campaign, along with his now notorious tag line ‘the legend is again’ a part of an oddball media blitz of bogus adverts, viral social media clips and goat flags at Glastonbury.

But it surely’s Ford’s choice to make use of certainly one of its most iconic legacy nameplates for a brand new electrical SUV that triggered widespread uproar.

‘It has the soul of the traditional Capri, reinvented with a brand new, trendy design,’ in response to bosses on the blue oval model. But it surely’s honest to say the general public response has been something however welcoming.

Regardless of the critics, the brand new battery-powered Capri will arrive within the UK in a matter of weeks. However earlier than it does, we check drove it in Marseille to see what it is like past the controversy.

Addressing the elephant within the room – the Capri title 

‘I am sorry however that’s not a Capri!’

This was one of many feedback I acquired on Instagram when posting snaps of the automobile within the South of France.

And since Ford unveiled the reborn Capri to the general public this summer season, social media and mainstream press has been awash with comparable – if not far harsher – sentiments.

So, there is not any possibility aside from to bravely handle the elephant within the room – the truth that many Ford followers aren’t joyful concerning the title.

Even Ford’s director of selling, Peter Zillig, mentioned he’d seen somebody write that the model’s ‘actually stress-testing the notion of all publicity is sweet publicity’ with the brand new Capri.

And persons are proper to take intention on the automobile maker.

The 2024 Capri is not the burbling, petrol-gulping, low-slung, reasonably priced, two-door sport coupe for boy racers of the previous; it is a silent, battery-powered, high-riding, costly, five-door sports activities utility automobile aimed predominantly at eco-conscious households.

Ford has – in its defence – utilized a nod or two to the unique, together with the oval LED inclusion within the headlights, the C-shape rear pillar, and the black blade panel stretching throughout the again just like the Capri RS variants of previous.

But it surely’s efforts have been in useless within the eyes of the motoring fraternity.

A Capri by title however not scale: Ford says the battery powered 2024 Capri SUV ‘continues the story of the long-lasting cult traditional’ and ‘will inject some soul into the world of EVs’. However the public have not been taking all of it that properly…

Many individuals aren’t but satisfied concerning the new Capri: ‘Utilizing the Capri nameplate for that is blasphemy and disrespectful to the unique Capri’ on particular person posted. One other person commented: ‘Think about beforehand making good automobiles for years, the automobiles of the on a regular basis particular person, then eliminating nice automobile strains for soulless and expensive electrification and now producing this and calling it a Capri in some way? A fall from grace’

‘Utilizing the Capri nameplate for that is blasphemy and disrespectful to the unique Capri,’ one social media person wrote on an official Ford social media channel.

One other person commented: ‘Think about beforehand making good automobiles for years, the automobiles of the on a regular basis particular person, then eliminating nice automobile strains for soulless and expensive electrification and now producing this and calling it a Capri in some way? A fall from grace.’

For stability, I’ve scrolled [for some time] to try to seek out constructive feedback however have discovered little higher than somebody posting: ‘I sort of prefer it.’

When it was first proven to the general public in January 1969 on the Brussels Motor Present, it was marketed as an affordable, quick and enjoyable coupe. Manufacturing for the automobile started two months earlier on the Halewood plant in Liverpool to make sure each UK supplier would have at the very least one Capri on its forecourt by the point gross sales began, such was the stir of demand it created

Why do folks really feel so passionately about Capri? A really transient historical past lesson

The historical past of the Capri is a protracted essay, so here is a quick recap…

The unique was constructed to be the UK’s reply to the roaring success of the Mustang within the US. It appeared sensible, provided incredible worth, and got here with some genius advertising and marketing.

And there was a Capri for many tastes – from smart 1.3-litre engines all the way in which as much as sexier limited-numbered RS3100 efficiency choices.

Naturally, the two-door coupe immediately turned a success within the early seventies; Ford famously offered 400,000 of them within the first 24 months alone.

And that was largely as a result of costs began from £890 in 1969, which equates to round £12,500 as we speak – a 3rd of what the most cost effective new EV model will price.

The Ford Capri was launched in 1969. It survived by way of three generations of the sporty coupe. Right here is an advert for the unique

The one millionth Ford Capri – an RS2600 – pictured coming off the manufacturing line on the Saarlouis manufacturing facility in Germany in 1973

If you wish to flip a unfavorable to a constructive then you possibly can say that Ford’s heritage is actually sacrosanct on the level, because the response to the Capri has proven.

With so many new manufacturers getting into the EV area, Ford has a legacy many manufacturers would kill to achieve within the subsequent 100 years.

And that’s worth. Massive worth.

The issue is it may be as a lot an obstacle as a bonus by way of PR… as Ford is at present discovering out.

The rear-wheel drive has an extended vary than the all-wheel drive: 389 miles versus 367 miles. The rear-wheel drive although is barely slower off the mark managing 0 to 62mph in 6.4 second in comparison with the AWD’s 5.3 seconds

The Capri’s form and measurement (perhaps that is simply the case for somebody of my measurement) lends itself to raised visibility although; the Explorer’s visibility wasn’t good, and also you couldn’t simply inform placement of the entrance wheels particularly on roundabouts

One other massive win is that Capri can be a lot quieter than the Explorer, selecting up much less street and wind noise, which offers a extra cossetting and stress-free driving expertise

Nameplate apart – what’s the Capri prefer to drive?

To start out, it is best to guage Ford’s latest EV as a automobile with an indeterminate nameplate. So that is what I will do.

It is constructed on the Volkswagen MEB platform, similar to its greater sibling, the Explorer. Basically, there is a VW ID.5 beneath the brilliant yellow bodywork.

However as a result of it’s 20mm decrease than the Explorer – and Ford has fiddled with the suspension tuning – it feels much more completed within the corners.

The gentle tweaks are a serious enhance to each agility and nimbleness in comparison with the boxier Explorer, and being decrease to the bottom there’s much less roll in corners, too.

Geert Van Noyen, automobile dynamics supervisor for Ford of Europe, confirmed that the suspension is ‘one notch’ stiffer than the Explorer and that stability has been shifted in the direction of the rear to provide a sportier sensation. And it has labored.

The brand new Capri makes use of the Volkswagen MEB platform – one which underpins the VW ID.5 (pictured proper) – which it shares with the brand new Explorer

Its form and measurement (perhaps that is simply the case for somebody of my restricted top) additionally lends itself to raised visibility; the Explorer’s all-round view wasn’t good, and also you could not simply inform placement of the entrance wheels particularly on roundabouts.

One other massive win is that Capri can be a lot quieter than the Explorer, selecting up much less street and wind noise, which offers a extra cossetting and stress-free driving expertise.

I used to be delighted that regardless of having a set of security assists – there are 12 ultrasonic sensors, 5 cameras and three radar sensors – I wasn’t nagged in any respect by the programs. This was a welcome change to the fixed pinging most new automobiles offer you.

Throughout my stint in Marseille, I took each the 79kWh 335bhp all-wheel drive model and the 77kW 282bhp rear-wheel drive choices for a spin. For reference, the RWD has an extended vary than the AWD (389 miles versus 367 miles) these is barely slower off the mark managing 0 to 62mph in 6.4 second in comparison with 5.3 seconds.

Once more, these stats mirror these of the Explorer.

However total, if it is the Capri versus the Explorer, the journey top and composure of the Capri wins out by a small margin.

Fords says it is an ‘city electrical sports activities automobile’ that’s good for the entire household, and in that mild, it drives properly, has glorious vary and is a really comfy coupe-SUV for a variety of individuals

Sadly, the brand new one merely feels too samey. Shut your eyes [ while not recommended while driving, of course ] and you will wrestle to inform it other than most EVs already available on the market as we speak

Fords says it is an ‘city electrical sports activities automobile’ that’s good for the entire household, and in that mild, it drives properly, has glorious vary and is a really comfy coupe-SUV for a variety of individuals.

And it does begin from round £10K lower than a Polestar 4 (additionally a coupe-SUV) and has barely faster acceleration than its Swedish rival – although the Ford is nowhere close to as luxurious inside.

However the massive query each sceptic will ask is: does it drive like a Capri?

That’s when the world, which for essentially the most half is marmite in the direction of EVs, screams ‘no!’

That is regardless of most Capris of previous not at all times being golden to drive. You may’t overlook the truth that that they had Cortina ‘Kent’ engines. And press cuttings from the day dubbed the MK2 a ‘sheep in a wolf’s clothes’.

However Capris at all times had character.

Sadly, the brand new one merely feels too samey. Shut your eyes [while not recommended while driving, of course] and you will wrestle to inform it other than most EVs already available on the market as we speak.

It doesn’t matter what Ford tells you and I, the Capri EV is lacking the flare and likeability of its predecessors.

The Capri’s inside may be very comfy, spacious and well-designed however it’s a virtually carbon copy of the recently-launched Explorer inside

The mega console from the Explorer and the locker behind the infotainment display (the display strikes and there is a hidden compartment behind) – are each carried throughout. Each intelligent options and excellent for household enjoyable, however these options had been offered as excellent for the Explorer as a result of that they had journey in thoughts

Inside – is it a pleasant place to spend time and is it sensible?

The inside is just about a whole copy and paste of the Explorer’s cabin: apart from one or two small particular person particulars, together with a single steering wheel spoke at six o’clock.

Is {that a} dangerous factor? 

For consolation and practicality, no – the Capri is a really comfy automobile to be in and there’s lots of sensible storage.

The mega console (an extremely deep centre cupboard space beneath the arm relaxation) and the locker behind the infotainment display (the display strikes and there is a hidden compartment behind) – are each welcome additions however, given they already characteristic in Explorer, do not feel all that particular or distinctive.

The 14.6-inch infotainment display can be the identical as we have seen beforehand, which is a pity because it isn’t a really intuitive system and is fiddly to function. We advocate syncing your Apple CarPlay or Android Auto out of your smartphone, which is marvelously straightforward to do within the Capri.

Ford has additionally nailed boot area, providing 572 litres with a second flooring and a facet storage compartment.  

It is class-leading (the Polestar 4 solely has 526 litres) and is way greater than the Explorer’s 450-litre capability.

The boot is the standout of the Capri’s inside and practicality with a large 572-lites and a second flooring to play with

Headroom and legroom are each additionally each spectacular, even for the giants of the world.

It is only a pity that for a automobile with the star energy of the Capri title, Ford hasn’t designed a bespoke inside to pay tribute.

The brand new Capri EV presents between 346 miles and 389 miles on a single cost, relying on the choice you go for. Quick charging faucets out at 100kW, which provides you 10 to 80 per cent cost in 26 to twenty-eight minutes

Vary and charging occasions and extras price shopping for

The brand new Capri EV presents between 346 miles and 389 miles on a single cost, relying on the choice you go for.

Quick charging faucets out at 100kW, which provides you 10 to 80 per cent cost in 26 to twenty-eight minutes.

Ford mentioned that to maintain prices down for all patrons, a warmth pump is just not a regular characteristic, as an alternative you possibly can decide so as to add one for an additional £1,050.

A warmth pump – which makes use of warmth from the battery to heat the cabin – saves you roughly about 10 per cent vary so it’s a helpful characteristic so as to add if you are going to add something. 

There’s additionally an retractable tow bar possibility for £750, which permits the Capri to tow as much as 1,000kg, which might be price getting if you wish to maximise your energetic life-style. 

Pricing and trims

There are simply two Capri trims (the identical because the Explorer): Choose and Premium.

Each trims are generously kitted-out, with Ford giving even the bottom trim all the identical security assists and cameras, in addition to consolation options like heated seats. 

The Premium additions embody matrix headlights, a hands-free tailgate, ambient lighting, a panoramic roof, and a 10-speaker B&O sound system.

The Choose RWD possibility would be the most cost-effective beginning at £42,075 with the Premium AWD 79kW going as much as £56,175. 

For comparability the Polestar 2 (which many individuals say the Capri appears like) prices between £42,950 and £55,950, the VW ID.5 (with the identical platform) is priced between £45,860 to £55,720 and the Volvo EX30 from £31,995 to £42,495.

Order books are open with deliveries commencing later this yr.

Ford Capri EV: The Automobiles and Motoring Verdict

Making an attempt to influence people who an EV is deserving of a moniker bestowed to probably the most liked British automobiles of all time is at finest bold advertising and marketing – and at worst a whole lack of judgement.

And it isn’t as if Ford does not have a wealth of legacy nameplates that may have triggered far much less offence. An Escort for the EV period? A battery-powered Sierra? Folks may need accepted that.

Ford has clearly earmarked a audience of nostalgia-driven motorists – probably as a result of that is the demographic that may finest afford the steep asking worth. 

And therein lies its largest failing.

The unique Capri was dubbed ‘the automobile you at all times promised your self’ and was for younger folks. It was daring, it was thrilling, it dressed up a Cortina and made it cool.

The brand new Capri is a good EV. It isn’t that it isn’t automobile to drive nevertheless it does really feel considerably underwhelming.

As a teen in a world the place three quarters (77 per cent) of 25 to 34-year-olds are more likely to go electrical for his or her subsequent automobile – and half of younger learners wish to take their driving check in an EV – the brand new Capri looks like a missed alternative.

There is not any reasonably priced, era-defining EV for younger folks. Particularly not one that can go on to develop into a legend like the unique Capri.

It appears a disgrace that Ford did not determine to provide younger folks of as we speak a Capri of their very own.

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