Ford’s latest creation, the all-electric Capri, is set to debut at the Paris Motor Show, followed by an appearance at eCar Expo 2024 in Copenhagen, Europe’s largest electric vehicle exhibition. Reviving the name of Ford’s legendary 1960s fastback—often dubbed the “European Mustang”—the new Capri brings back iconic styling cues, yet reinvents itself as a sleek coupe-SUV.
A familiar name, a modern shape
Ford’s new Capri draws inspiration from its namesake in subtle ways, much like the transformation of the Mustang into the Mustang Mach-E. This time, however, the Capri takes the form of a crossover coupe, an electric reinterpretation of the classic model, merging heritage with modern SUV styling.
The Capri now finds itself more closely aligned with the Ford Explorer EV, another European-market model, both of which are built on Volkswagen’s MEB platform. This makes the Capri a close relative of the Volkswagen ID.5, while the Explorer takes after the ID.4.
At 463 cm long, 187 cm wide, and 163 cm tall, the Capri measures close to the ID.5, with a 277 cm wheelbase that supports a well-balanced SUV stance. Standard 19-inch wheels can be upgraded to either 20 or 21 inches, enhancing its robust appearance.
Though Ford has attempted to bring a coupe-like touch to the design, the Capri’s relatively flat roofline leans more towards an elevated sedan profile, lacking the distinct fastback flair of its predecessors. A modest tribute to the original Capri’s essence can be seen in select design elements, but Ford’s focus is more on modern practicality than full-on retro homage.
Performance and Range
Ford offers the Capri in two configurations:
- Rear-Wheel Drive Single Motor: This base model delivers 282 horsepower and 545 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds with a limited top speed of 192 km/h. While not as fast as the classic Capri sports models, it holds up well for an electric SUV.
The RWD model is equipped with a 77 kWh Li-NMC battery, providing a range of up to 625 km (WLTP). With 135 kW rapid charging capability, it takes around 28 minutes to recharge from 10% to 80%.
- All-Wheel Drive Dual Motor: The AWD version adds an additional front motor for a total power output of 335 horsepower and 680 Nm of torque, paralleling the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX. This setup propels the Capri from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. Ford also equips this version with a slightly larger 79 kWh battery, capable of 185 kW fast charging that brings the battery from 10% to 80% in just 26 minutes. With this setup, the AWD Capri achieves a range of 590 km.
Comfort and Practicality
Weighing in at 2,100 kg for the base model and 2,190 kg for the AWD, the new Capri is substantially heavier than the original, which typically ranged between 900 and 1,225 kg. The weight difference underscores its transition from a lightweight sports coupe to a feature-packed electric SUV.
Inside, the Capri mirrors the design language of the Ford Explorer EV, boasting a large 14.6-inch vertical touchscreen that slides vertically to reveal a hidden storage compartment. The cabin offers substantial space, with 570 liters of cargo room behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,510 liters with the seats folded down. These dimensions slightly surpass the Explorer’s, likely due to the Capri’s 16 cm extra length despite a similar wheelbase.
