Ford revives The Capri Name With An All Electric Car.

The Capri name brings back memories of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and Ford used it to launch a sporty saloon car with the style of the Italian Island. It was a car families aspired to own, and it was instantly popular; the Police forces of the time even had them as traffic cars. Jump to 2024, and the new Capri from Ford is an all-electric vehicle which looks different from the 70s icon, so will it prove as popular?

People of a certain age look back on the original Ford Capri with nostalgia and fond memories of their childhood when life was simpler and carefree. Three TV channels, playing football in the park until dark, and then talking about cars and motorbikes or the Bay City Rollers and Jackie magazine articles. I am sure Ford has chosen the Capri name for its new electric model to rekindle these memories and stir people to buy into the latest technology. So, will the iconic Capri name be re-established in its new form?

Ford’s new Capri can’t be viewed in the same way many of us remember the original. It has to be judged on its own merit as a contemporary of the electric vehicle movement—a family car that has its style and is electric.

The Ford Capri has a selection of batteries and motors. The base model starts at £42,075 and has a 55kWh single motor. You also get Select and Premium as trim levels, but your primary focus will be the drivetrain and motors. I drove the 77kWh single motor starting at £48,075, and it has rear-wheel drive and an extended range.

Ford’s Capri comes standard with a 14.6-inch SYNC infotainment system, keyless entry and start, 19-inch wheels, a 12-way power driver’s seat with a massage function, heated seats in the front row, front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and intelligent cruise control with a stop-and-go function. The features improve if you select the Premium trim for £4100 on top of the base price. It has a panoramic glass roof, a powered tailgate, Matrix LED headlights, a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and 20-inch wheels. If you want the 79kWh dual-motor, you must have the Premium trim, and the price goes up to £56,175.

The thrill of driving electric vehicles is the instant gush of power you get from putting your foot down, and the Ford Capri does not disappoint. The adrenaline rush is like a herd of bison stampeding on the plains in South Dakota, and the physical feeling is like standing near the animals.

Four drive modes—Comfort, Sport, Eco, and a configurable Individual mode—are available for the driver. Still, I never noticed a discernable change in performance or handling when applying them. The Ford Capri ride is impressive, soaking up minor potholes, drain covers, and sleeping policemen. Handling is equally remarkable, and steering wheel inputs are met accurately and quickly. The EV is a breeze to drive in the city or around the country roads like I was in North Hampshire.

Potential EV owners are always concerned about the range they will get and how quickly their vehicle will charge, and the Ford Capri offers generous mileage and rapid charging. The quoted figures by Ford are between 369 and 389 miles for the single motor 77kWh Extended range version. Charging from 10% to 80% takes 25 minutes, so hook up to a charger, have a comfort stop and a hot drink, and by the time you have paid for refreshments and spent a penny, the Capri will be ready to go again.

The Ford Capri has a modern style, with some design elements of the original being incorporated, such as the black bar between the headlights and centre section and the double running light elements.

Inside the Ford Capri, there are no signs of retro cues. You get a modern layout with a gigantic 14.6-inch infotainment display that is easy to use. The key controls occupants will need to engage frequently lie at the bottom edge within quick reach. The interior is solid, well-constructed, and has quality components.

Occupants get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless phone charger, and a B&O soundbar on the dashboard. The driver’s display is small but shows all the requisite information simplistically. I recommend purchasing the Driver Assistance Package for the superb head-up display and 360-degree camera.

Ford calls the Capri a Coupe SUV, delivering on space and useability so it is versatile, practical and enjoyable. Occupants get decent interior storage and room to move about when journies drag on. Three adults can comfortably sit on the rear bench, but for larger families, note that only the two outside seats have Isofix.

For a family vehicle, you need room for all manner of items, from school bags to flat-packed furniture, and the Ford Capri has 572 litres of boot space, which extends to 1,505l if you fold the rear seats.