Posted on Monday 24 March 2008
After bowing out of the market in the late 1980s, Ford’s European Capri sports coupe could make a return as a rival to Volkswagen’s rejuvenated Scirocco coupe. Several reports coming out of Germany claim Ford is prepping a new a concept to celebrate next year’s 40th anniversary of the original Ford Capri Mk1 from 1969. The concept will eventually spawn a new Mk4 version around 2012.
In 2003 Ford gave a hint that a new Capri was on the drawing board with the unveiling of the Visos concept car pictured below. The concept shared the same basic coupe-hatch bodystyle of previous generation Capris and also featured the same rear-fender-mounted side intakes. The next Capri would likely feature Ford’s latest Kinetic design theme as seen on the more recent Kuga crossover and Focus range.
According to Autobild, power outputs for the new Capri will range between 140 and 250hp with both four and five-cylinder engines on offer. The car will also be about the same size as the new Scirocco and will be priced from about €20,000.
Ford isn’t the only carmaker rumoured to be bringing back one of Europe’s past sport coupes. Opel is also tipped to be developing a successor to the Calibra based on its recent GTC coupe concept.
With this revival of affordable sports coupes, a whole new generation of car enthusiasts will be able to once again fall in love with some of Europe’s most cherished nameplates.
2003 Ford Visos Concept
Will it be FWD or RWD?
I would guess front wheel drive, as other than the Falcan in Australia, Ford does not have many RWD platforms, and the Falcon will be too large a base for a ’scirocco’ class car.
i’d expect FWD and AWD availability. looks like a ford badge on a volvo C30. the c30/s40/v50 volvo is the same as the eurospec focus, and the mazda 3. with the new 3 coming out in 09, and a new focus in 10 or 11, expect this to be called the capri in concept form but end up being a body style of the new focus. AWD is expected on the platform, and a range of ecoboost engines would be suitable.
basically it looks like the latest generation of the SVT ZX3 focus.
It doesn’t surprise me that Ford is thinking of bringing back a car that died almost 30 years ago.
What would surprise me is for Ford to come out with an original and forward thinking idea for a car. I give it until 2015 for them to come out with the all new Ford Model T.
hecotr; dont bash them for possibly bringing back a name plate. you yourself should appreciate that ford is looking at making a small european type sports car, to lure buyers away from the heavy pig of a mustang with its giant engines that do nothing.
were you heaving on the japanese brands 10 years ago when they all jumped on the american band wagon and made a full line up of SUVs? that wasnt very forward thinking.
you of all people should be commending them for making a car that is small, fun, and exciting.
but like i said; if they were to ever do something like this, it will be based losely on the next focus. ill bet my left little toe on it.
to carry on from the comments…
This car will be released as the “Focus Coupe”
The focus is now established world wide and it would be a smart marketing ploy to continue with that name and create a family of these cars…
The comeback of a Legend?
I hope it will be as successful as it’s predecessor
Will it be FWD or RWD or AWD.
I’d like to hope they use their brains and borrow the Mazda RX-8 compact RWD platform with 4cyl Petrol and Diesel engines and the Volvo T5 but I know they will probably use the C1 FWD platform with maybe the Kuga’s AWD system.
As a big Capri fan, whatever they do, as long as it still resembles and is called Capri, I will buy them.
I feel it’s time for a new small FWD Puma again as well.