American legacy automaker Ford has just teased its new offering, the electric version of the iconic Capri, ahead of its official debut on July 10, 2024.
Ford Capri to make a comeback in the EV era
Ford announced plans to officially introduce a new electric “sports crossover” on Wednesday. The American automaker is trying to hype up the imminent debut by declaring that “the legend is back.”
Considering Ford’s choice of words, the new model is expected to use the iconic Capri name. It is also set to become the brand’s second model to ride on Volkswagen’s MEB platform.
Looking back, the original Ford Capri was a monumental success, with sales surpassing 400,000 units in its first two years in the market. After a 38-year hiatus, the legendary sports crossover is finally making its comeback as a battery-electric SUV coupe, evoking a sense of nostalgia among enthusiasts.
Teaser video
Ford released the teaser video on Sunday, showcasing former footballer Eric Cantona attempting to plug a charger into a Ford Capri 2.8 Injection’s fuel cap.
As you can see on the car’s back window, the marketing team wrote, “The legend is back,” followed by the “10.07.24” debut date to further stimulate excitement among classic car enthusiasts.
As the Ford Capri drove off, the same phrase appeared again in the parking spot.
What’s currently known about the new Ford Capri EV?
The new Ford Explorer and Capri EVs will have similar specifications as the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5.
For reference, the electric Explorer delivers a WLTP-rated driving range of up to 74 miles (600 km) owing to its new battery pack.
The dual-motor Explorer features the same powertrain system as the VW’s GTX models, which yields a maximum output of 335 horsepower and a 79 kWh battery. The Explorer has a base price of £45,875 ($58,000) in the European market.
The original Capri was a classic 1970s low-body coupe. However, the new electric version may not match that style. Previous spy shots reported by Autocar suggested it would have a more modern crossover design instead. It will apparently arrive as a high-riding electric fastback twinned with the existing Ford Explorer.
We can expect to learn more about the new VW MEB platform-based Ford Capri on its imminent debut on Wednesday.
Ford banking on electrified nostalgia to boost sales
Ford’s electric vehicle sales reached almost 24,000 units in the United States in Q2 2024, indicating a 61% year-over-year growth.
This remarkable sales increase enabled the American legacy automaker to remain the second most popular EV brand in the country behind Tesla.
As for the European market, it remains to be seen if the imminent arrival of the new Ford Capri EV can revive the company’s sales amid waning demand. Nonetheless, it will surely play a crucial role in Ford’s efforts to remain competitive against the current and upcoming EV models in the market.
Ford plans to produce the new Capri EV at its new Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center in Germany after it invested a whopping $2 billion to convert the historic plant into a state-of-the-art EV production hub.
