RE: Ford Capri Mk IV
Wednesday 10th September 2003
Ford Capri Mk IV
Looking more likely this time?
There have been rumours of a new Capri since the demise of the Mk III in 1987. The car was viewed as a cliche by many and appreciated by just as many.
Whilst various design studies have been heralded as Capri IV previously, the new Visos concept makes direct links to its predecessors through some subtle styling cues. They may only be the shape of the rear window and the faux vents to the front of the rear arches, but they do show intent. Where the Visos deviates from the previous Capris is with the hatch which adopts a squarer roofline and plainer flanks than the coupes of old.
Whilst some exceedling underpowered Capris have graced our roads in the past, that's unlikely if this model should hit the road. Modern engines are more than capable of giving the car a good turn of speed and a range topper could use a three litre twin turbocharged V6 as seen in the concept. Power is claimed as almost 350bhp!
So, do us a favour Ford and just put it into production. Don't give us any more bull about 'signalling the style of forthcoming Fords' - BUILD IT!
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Discussion
Agree with swilly.
As a Capri owner for many years, to me this is nothing like a true Capri.
A true Capri should be long, low, sleek and sporty looking - even if it does only have modest power.
And it should be rear wheel drive.
With the right looks and chassis to go with the name Ford have a great opportunity to build a sort of cut price 350Z here - and once again open up a market sector they could dominate.
So come on Ford - either do it right or don't do it at all
As a Capri owner for many years, to me this is nothing like a true Capri.
A true Capri should be long, low, sleek and sporty looking - even if it does only have modest power.
And it should be rear wheel drive.
With the right looks and chassis to go with the name Ford have a great opportunity to build a sort of cut price 350Z here - and once again open up a market sector they could dominate.
So come on Ford - either do it right or don't do it at all
grahambell said:
Maybe so Ted - but it's still not a Capri. Puma 2 perhaps, but not Capri.
If they had made it look like an old Capri everyone would call it retro and avoid it like the plaugue. And cue Essex boy Sharon & Tracy jokes.
They are keeping the spirit of the old Capri alive by using design cues from the original cars, I can see at least 4.
Puma 2!!!
No way, it's longer, lower and I could never imagine seeing 17 year olds learning to drive in that!!!! The two most important issues for a replacement Capri, are going to be cost - and rear-wheel drive.
It's not going to be cheap given the choice of engines they're looking at.
They will never do a unique rear-wheel drive platform, it will be based on one of the many platforms shared between Mazda, Volvo etc.
Marketing types would never want to lose that much cabin space by having an intrusive transmission tunnel.
As much as I want a modern version, frankly I think its going to be a Capri in name only.
It's not going to be cheap given the choice of engines they're looking at.
They will never do a unique rear-wheel drive platform, it will be based on one of the many platforms shared between Mazda, Volvo etc.
Marketing types would never want to lose that much cabin space by having an intrusive transmission tunnel.
As much as I want a modern version, frankly I think its going to be a Capri in name only.
agree nothing like a capri, more of a modern Volvo P1800 estate if you think about it with its broad shoulders.
Looks like the only Capri connection is the rear side window (which is totally at odds with the roof line) and the two dummy air intakes. Wonder how late in the day they were added. Massive dissapointment IMHO
Looks like the only Capri connection is the rear side window (which is totally at odds with the roof line) and the two dummy air intakes. Wonder how late in the day they were added. Massive dissapointment IMHO
wow, interesting feedback. I was just about to say, "holy crap, a good looking ford whose styling isn't a 30-year-old derivative!" I like it, and I hope that it comes to the US. When I saw the profile of the Visos on the cover of autocar (actually their computer-generated pic based on the 'official' profile photo), I laughed it off at the note of "NEW CAPRI!" As I don't believe the capri as UK citizens know ever was sold in the US, I'd find it hard to understand the car's old following a little optimistic to keep labeling every new ford coupe concept "the next capri." Turns out I was wrong this time, as a few of the details are undeniable (hockey-stick, fender vents, overall profile). But I was definitely right that you all are nuts when the pininfarina start was labeled similarly. a 2-seat hardtop convertible with gt40 details could be a capri? you guys must've been chomping at the bit to get a new capri.
What a tasteless box on 4 wheels 
I know money is tight within Ford but this is really sad
Why don't they just put that twin turbo V6 engine in Mazda's RX8 and put a Blue Oval badge on it. Much easier and very tempting for those who dislike those rotary engines
levensnevel
a smile every mile
I know money is tight within Ford but this is really sad
Why don't they just put that twin turbo V6 engine in Mazda's RX8 and put a Blue Oval badge on it. Much easier and very tempting for those who dislike those rotary engines
levensnevel
a smile every mile
It needs to be simple, CHEAP, REAR wheel drive and relatively fast. Easy to handle around the limit tends to help. Agree a long nose is also very good, new Ferrari and Mercedes/Mclaren will make this very fashionable really soon, if it ever went out.
Don't care if the entry level is a 1300 crossflow with four speed gearbox as long as it means enough numbers to make a V6/V8 cheap (sub 20K).
Raiding Mazda & Jaguar and Ford US parts bin should help, as would making the next Mondeo RWD (fat chance).
Don't care if the entry level is a 1300 crossflow with four speed gearbox as long as it means enough numbers to make a V6/V8 cheap (sub 20K).
Raiding Mazda & Jaguar and Ford US parts bin should help, as would making the next Mondeo RWD (fat chance).
danmangt40 said:
I don't believe the capri as UK citizens know ever was sold in the US.
It was dan, though badged Mercury Capri rather that Ford for some reason.
And you're right, we probably have been gagging for a replacement. The Capri was often referred to as 'the European Mustang' and tends to have the same sort of enthusiastic following as the 'classic' Mustangs.
In the UK anyway, for although all Mk 2/3 Capris from '74 to '86 were made in Germany, almost all the last few years of production were UK orders.
it looks more like a squashed alfa rather than a capri to me.
if it does go into production then ford should call it "probe 2" or "cougar 2" but not "capri" as it looks like it could never live upto the name.i couldnt see bodie or doyle putting a car like that sideways chasing some 'slag'.....could you?.....and i wonder how the members of c.c.i would look at it if ford released it?.....impressed?,i doubt it!
ffs it doesnt even have the mk3's twin headlamps!!
back to the drawing board boys,im sure you could come up with something more worthy of the name "capri".....preferably a coupe with a long bonnet,no numpty aids,a muscle cars presence (and rumble) and the base model starting with at least 6 cylinders and a turbo rather than having that as the 'top of the line' engine!!
maybe im just being picky?!?!?!?
>> Edited by cortinaman on Friday 12th September 06:19
if it does go into production then ford should call it "probe 2" or "cougar 2" but not "capri" as it looks like it could never live upto the name.i couldnt see bodie or doyle putting a car like that sideways chasing some 'slag'.....could you?.....and i wonder how the members of c.c.i would look at it if ford released it?.....impressed?,i doubt it!
ffs it doesnt even have the mk3's twin headlamps!!
back to the drawing board boys,im sure you could come up with something more worthy of the name "capri".....preferably a coupe with a long bonnet,no numpty aids,a muscle cars presence (and rumble) and the base model starting with at least 6 cylinders and a turbo rather than having that as the 'top of the line' engine!!
maybe im just being picky?!?!?!?
>> Edited by cortinaman on Friday 12th September 06:19
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