Ford Brings Back the Capri After 30 Years as a Four-Door EV

Ford is reviving its ’70s car, the Capri, but only in name. The new Capri bears no resemblance to the original pony-style two-door fastback that debuted in 1968. Instead, it will be a four-door electric car based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform and will only be sold in Europe.

The Capri looks like it was designed by executives. The design is similar to the Polestar 2, but more subdued. Ford calls it a “sports coupe for the family,” but the only thing that’s almost as rebellious as the original is the bright yellow or blue paint.

Two models are available: an entry-level version, a basic version, and a premium version, both of which are called “Extended Range.” The basic is a 282-horsepower model with rear-wheel drive, a single motor, and a 77-kWh battery pack, with a range of 390 miles (WLTP) and a charging time of 28 minutes from 10 to 80 percent.

The Premium model is an all-wheel drive model with two engines and 335 horsepower. The slightly larger 79 kWh battery can be charged at 185 kW (50 kW more than the base model), allowing the battery to be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 26 minutes. This model’s range is slightly reduced to 368 miles in accordance with Europe’s WLTP standard. In terms of performance, the base model can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds, while the Premium model does it in 5.3 seconds.

The Premium model adds a few more extras, including 20-inch alloy wheels instead of 19-inch ones, ambient lighting, a B&O sound system, and a hands-free tailgate.

On the tech side, the Capri gets automatic lane changing, bike detection when the door is opened, and a massaging driver’s seat. The 14.6-inch touchscreen slides out to reveal a storage compartment, and the front armrest houses a “mega console” with 0.6 cubic feet of space.

Ford recently introduced another electric vehicle named after a classic model, the Explorer, to Europe. Like the Capri, it has nothing to do with the original in look or spirit, being more of a compact crossover than a pickup or SUV.

The Capri is only available in Europe, so you can buy it on the Italian island of the same name, but not anywhere in North America. It’s built in Germany, and prices start at 49,400 euros (about $53,590) for the base model and 53,000 euros ($57,490) with the Premium package, according to Ford’s French website.