Ford Capri: Why this name still fits
Nostalgics must be very strong now: Yes, this electric car is called the Capri. But it's not that far-fetched: SUV coupés are simply the modern interpretation of sports coupés. And the Capri once again succeeds in making its neighbors jealous with its beautiful back.
Let's start looking right away: where is the old Capri in the new one, where are Ford's references to the legendary ancestor (1968 to 1986)? We find twin headlights with the hood pulled down low in between and a black grille (which today is simply a black panel). With a lot of imagination, a similar tail light graphic. The curve of the rear windows and roof section.
Sacrilege? No. Because the name Capri is not at all suitable for a new edition as a retro car: compact sports coupés are mega-out, but SUVs are mega-in. And why abandon the cool name when the sports coupé of today is the SUV coupé? In fact, the beautiful back as the chocolate side still manages to make neighbors envious today. In fact, the Capri is a version of the Ford Explorer that has been stretched by 15 centimeters and is also a technical brother of the VW ID.5 and co.
After getting in, we are amazed at how large the 4.63-meter-long five-door vehicle appears subjectively due to its 1.94-meter width. But there is never a lack of space. In the gigantic storage compartment in the center console alone, small children could ride along if necessary, and in the rear there is no cramped space for legs or heads. Relaxed lolling is the order of the day. Even for valuables: the angle of the large center display can be adjusted to reveal a lockable storage compartment. The load compartment can be extended and the floor can be varied. The 567 to 1505 liters of cargo space are enough for almost any situation.
At the start in the city a few bumps in the road make us realize that "our" Capri rolls on optional 21-inch instead of 20-inch wheels. But it doesn't matter, because just a few km/h later it regains its comfort-oriented suppleness. It masters cornering flawlessly, but its nature is fast gliding. This is also because it weighs almost 2.2 tons and the steering is precise but smooth. A typical, yet very successful mix for everyday family life.
Choice of rear-wheel drive (125 kW/170 hp or 210 kW/286 hp, battery 52 or 77 kWh equals 393 or 627 kilometers WLTP standard range) or the all-wheel drive version tested. With 250 kW/340 hp, there is no shortage of temperament (5.3 seconds to 100, top speed 180 km/h). You can forget about the "Power" mode, it always moves forward at a rapid pace. According to the standard, the 79 kWh battery lasts for 560 kilometers at 19 kWh/100 km. Illusory in the frosty winter test? Yes, but still good: despite constant heating, we managed 413 to 479 kilometers in the test, which is enough for every excursion and for everyday use anyway. Charging at home with 11 kW (10 to 80 percent in five and a half hours) or at a fast charger (DC) with 185 kW (0 to 80 percent in 26 minutes).
As in all new cars the mandatory EU speed warning system is annoying, but can be easily deactivated. The rest of the assistance system works in secret and only reports when things get tight - which is a good thing. Excellent: If you rely on the electronic system when coasting before entering a town, you can recover as much power as possible because the system recuperates to around 50 km/h right up to the 50 km/h speed limit sign. Not so good: the sign recognition system sometimes misreads speed limits. Good news: Ford has adopted a few details from VW, such as the gear selector, the steering wheel buttons and the light switch, but not the shortcomings of the VW operating system. One example: unlike VW, there are no unlit touch strips for the temperature, and instead of just on the light switch to the left of the valance, there is also an ever-present virtual switch for the rear window heating where we intuitively look for it: At the bottom of the monitor in the climate control panel. Our request to Ford: please make the warning sound of the tailgate quieter when closing.
That leaves the question of cost: The Capri is available from CHF 43,600 (promotional price from CHF 41,420), while the 4×4 version we drove starts at CHF 56,850 (currently CHF 54,007). Our test car in the "Premium" version costs 62,872 francs including options and leaves nothing to be desired in terms of luxury. Fair! Our test result: The 15 centimeter longer and more stylish brother of the Explorer has a striking appearance, is independent despite VW drive technology and is strong in terms of space and comfort. It is no longer just a sparse sports coupé. And that is precisely why it is likely to be well received today.
