Volkswagen EV input tipped to revive Ford Capri in 2024

A rumour first mentioned in 2019 is reportedly set to become a reality as a new report from the United Kingdom (UK) allege that Ford will be using its partnership with Volkswagen to breath new life into the iconic Capri moniker.

Although last resplendent on a Blue Oval model made between 1989 and 1994 in the shape of a convertible underpinned by the Mazda 323 in Australia only, the nameplate is more fondly remembered for the mini Mustang-styled coupe produced across three generations from 1968 to 1986.

No modern coupe return

In-line with Dearborn’s current approach though as evident by the Puma that went on-sale four years ago as an SUV and not a Fiesta-based coupe as the original had been, the Capri will follow the same route instead of becoming a modern-day representation or even what was hinted at by the Visos Concept shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show 20 years ago.

At the same time, the partnership with Volkswagen, which so far has delivered the new Amarok based on the Ranger and the Tourneo Connect spun-off of the Caddy, means the Capri will follow the same route as the newly launched Explorer EV by becoming an electric vehicle based on Wolfsburg’s MEB platform that underpins its ID line-up of models.

ALSO READ: Ford Europe design boss wants Capri back

“Who would not want to bring back the Capri as a design? We’d love it. But it’s got to be in the zeitgeist and has to fit, and work as a plural, not just exist as something for a designer to bring back an old car,” Ford for Europe’s Director of Design, Amko Leenarts, told Britain’s Autocar four years ago as part of the first hint relating to the Capri’s return.

EV without the retro look

In a follow-up to the claims, The Sun claims the electric Capri will become a reality next year and produce 221 kW, the same output as the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX.

The article goes further by claiming that besides the alleged output, a range of just shy of 500 km will be possible, along with a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) acceleration time of six seconds.

Despite not wanting to comment directly on The Sun’s claims, Leenarts told Autocar in an exclusive interview that Ford’s won’t be adopting a retro-styled design approach to its EVs as evident by the Explorer EV.

“We started researching first: how do customers look at us? I felt personally that we were looking too positively on our own brand; we needed a health check on where we really were. And that’s why we did work with the customers,” Leenarts said.

“What was really hurting me was them saying we were boring. And that was the part I got really engaged in. I said: ‘Okay, we have to come up with unique proposals: car designs that are clearly differentiated, that offer a unique perspective that nobody else has”.

He also added that the automaker’s EV portfolio is all about simplification on the design front, saying, “the language [is] much more simplistic, but with that it almost feels more expensive, more premium, more approachable. So, we’re not doing aggressive cars here. We’re actually doing cars that you can love easily”.

Besides the Capri, and following the Puma’s revival, other nameplates have also been mulled as making a return, namely the Sierra and Cortina, although nothing else has since emerged.

Manta vs Capri

Despite the likely criticism from enthusiasts for reviving the Capri as an EV crossover, the move won’t dissimilar to Stellantis announcing last year that the Capri’s one-time rival, the Opel Manta, will make comeback in 2025 not as a coupe, but rather an electric crossover based on the newly designed EV optimised STLA Medium platform.

At present, Ford has remained mum on the claims, but don’t be surprised if details do emerge over the coming months in the form of either spy images or even official teasers.

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