Ford Capri Road Test

IN terms of automotive controversy, it doesn’t get much greater than when Ford decided to revive its iconic Capri name for its upcoming electric car. That name, after all, was originally worn by one of the Blue Oval’s most iconic models and one which has a particularly strong connection with British drivers.
But things do change, after all, so can the Capri name make the jump to an EV successfully or is it a step too far for Ford? We’ve been finding out.

What’s new?
The Capri is one of a number of models which has come through a partnership between Ford and Volkswagen. Underneath, the MEB platform is the same as you’ll find used on cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Born, while inside, there are plenty of tell-tale signs that the German brand has had some involvement. Many of the switches, for instance, are just the same as you’ll get in Volkswagen vehicles.
But Ford has tried to carry over some of the original Capri’s features. The steering wheel, for instance, has sections which look similar to those on its classic predecessor, while the black bar between the headlights is meant to hark back to the Capri of yesteryear.

What’s under the bonnet?
Because Ford can lean upon Volkswagen’s technical know-how with the Capri, it’s available with a series of motor and battery set-ups. There’s a standard single-motor version, for instance, which is linked to a 52kWh battery for a range of up to 242 miles. There’s then a single motor Extended Range variant which has a larger 72kWh battery and an impressive range of 389 miles.
We’re in the range-topping dual-motor version, which still gets the larger battery but, because of its 335bhp output, throttles the range back to a still-respectable 346 miles. The Capri will also accept a top-whack charging speed of 185kW, which allows for a 10% to 80% charge to be completed in around 26 minutes when you’re hooked up to a suitably speedy charger.

What’s it like to drive?
Make no bones about it, the Capri doesn’t impress sportiness upon you when you first get behind the wheel. In fact, it’s a far more laid-back affair than you might expect, though the Capri does brilliantly in terms of ironing out those lumps and bumps that are so commonplace in the 
UK. 
This dual-motor version will manage 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds, but you’re never all that bothered about accelerating too hard. Instead, you enjoy the Capri’s quiet composure and decent handling at more moderate speeds. It’s not upset by twistier sections of road, and the Capri will corner in a pleasantly flat manner given the chance.
Is the dual-motor version worth it? In truth, we’d probably stick to the larger-battery single-motor model, as it’s still more than nippy enough but delivers a chunk more range that’ll come in far handier than the additional performance.

How does it look?
Well, it doesn’t look very much like a Capri, does it? In truth, it would be very hard to fully adapt the classic Capri into modern-day form – particularly bearing in mind the latest crash test requirements – so you can’t fault it for not making a carbon copy of the original. That said, we feel as though Ford could’ve pushed the envelope a little further with the way this Capri looks.
The good news is that Ford has offered the Capri with a variety of bright colours, bucking the trend for toned-down shades that you’ll find elsewhere in the UK market. Vivid Yellow and Rapid Red, to our eyes, look particularly good.

What’s it like inside?
Inside, Ford has taken the Volkswagen packaging and put a pleasant spin on it. There’s a large central touchscreen – as is commonplace on all modern cars – but it can be slid forward and back to reveal a hidden storage area, which is very handy for keeping more valuable items secure. 
There’s also a huge storage space under the centre console and it all adds together to make the Capri feel quite family-friendly. Space in the back of the car isn’t bad either, though taller passengers might find their heads scraping the roof due to the sloping design. With its 572-litre boot, the Capri has loads of luggage space to offer and this puts it above many rivals in terms of outright practicality.

What’s the spec like?
Prices for the Capri start from just over £41,000 for a standard-range version. All cars get that large 14.6-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as a seven-speaker audio system. In general, the screen itself is responsive to inputs, though it’s a little cluttered and hard to navigate due to a large number of separate menus and readouts.
Dual-motor versions like our test car are only available in the range-topping Premium specification. This gets 20-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats with a massage function and Matrix LED headlights. However, at £60,355, our test car also seriously pushed up the Capri’s price and, at this level, it really starts to look a little expensive.

Verdict
If you took this car’s name out of the equation, what you’d be left with is a very honest, well-equipped and long-range electric vehicle which has all of the mod-cons you could really need. It’s only that famous “Capri” name which drags in some controversy; without it, this car wouldn’t have caused quite so much of a fuss. 
So if heritage is important for you, you might be left wanting more – but if you’re fine with a fresh take on things, then the Ford Capri will prove to be a very good all-rounder.

Fast facts
Model as tested: Ford Capri Premium AWD
UK price: £60,335
Engine: Dual electric motors
Power: 335bhp
Torque: 679Nm
Max speed: 111mph
0-60mph: 5.1 seconds
MPG: N/A
Emissions: 0g/km
Range: 346 miles
Charging speed: 185kW