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2024 Ford Capri review

3 weeks ago

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Writer:

Andrew Frankel | Ti co-founder

Date:

30 November 2024

There’s a very good argument that says forget the fact it’s called Capri. We all know it has nothing whatsoever to do with the preferred mode of transport for CI5’s most unreconstructed operatives – that it’s all just nonsense dreamt up in the marketing department that has precisely zero bearing on what the car is like, either to drive, or to live with.

But then there’s the contrary view. That the fact it’s called Capri was one of the biggest decisions made in the creation of the car, that a car’s name is an indivisible part of its character even when it’s not one of the great legacy names any car company has at its disposal. The fact is – and Ford knows this very well – the name writes a subliminal cheque, and it is absolutely right and proper for people like me to ask whether the car in question can cash it.

If you squint, you can see... a Polestar 2?

And the answer is no it can’t. Not even close. In my more contrary moments I might argue that my labrador, who is low slung, slender, noisy, has a ravenous appetite for fuel and exhibits near terminal levels of understeer shortly before losing control has more in common with the beloved original Capri than does this new one.

It is for sure a perfectly capable electric crossover – spacious, well equipped, reasonably rapid and never less than entirely pleasant to handle – and if that’s what you want, put it on your shopping list by all means. If you want a more detailed treatise, start a free trial and read my recent review of the extremely closely related Ford Explorer. It’s just like that, but with a bigger boot, a slightly lower roofline and a slightly higher price tag.

quotes icon

"I don’t care if Ford re-purposes the Explorer name, because the new one is an honest evocation of the American original, not to mention a damn good looking car which makes no promises it cannot keep"

What's wrong with Explorer Sport, anyway?

But here’s the thing. I know that, looks apart, they’re almost the same car; I know also that deep down neither is a Ford but a cosmetically altered and dynamically retuned VW ID.4. I even know that most original Capris were really quite rubbish. But I don’t care if Ford re-purposes the Explorer name, because the new one is an honest evocation of the American original, not to mention a damn good looking car which makes no promises it cannot keep.

I don’t even mind too much if Ford slaps a Mustang badge on a five-door electric SUV, because you can still buy a two-door coupé wearing the same badge with a stonking V8 engine at one end driving the wheels at the other. But to try to elevate the perception of this entirely characterless car by naming it after one of the most characterful Fords ever created? This is Ford’s Fonzie and it’s just jumped the shark.

Ford Capri Premium AWD

Engine: front and rear electric motors, 77kWh battery
Transmission: single speed, 4WD
Power: 335bhp
Torque: 501lb ft
Weight: 2174kg (DIN)
Power-to-weight: 154bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 3.6sec
Top speed: 111mph
Range: 346 miles
Charging speed: 185kW
Price: £56,175

Ti RATING 6/10

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