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Ford Capri coming at last

Legend is finally set to return, as we reveal secret plans for stunning Focus Coupe – and it’s gunning for Scirocco...

Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Miroslav

27th May 2009

The Capri is back – as a hatch! These are the best pictures yet of the compact family car that looks set to be the must-have model of 2010 – it’s a new three- door version of the Ford Focus.

Just as Volkswagen has done with the stunning Scirocco, Ford is seeking to reinvent one of its most famous sports cars. And it’s this dramatic evolution of the next Focus that will do it.

Boasting a stylish but practical body, it will target the Scirocco and the Renault Megane Coupe, providing a glamorous sister car to the standard five-door hatch – revealed in Issue 1,057. Appealing to young, style-conscious buyers, the new Coupé should be a big hit.

As you can see from our exclusive pictures, it takes some inspiration from the Iosis Max concept, revealed at March’s Geneva Motor Show.

That car debuted the new family ‘face’ of not only the new Focus, but the next-generation C-MAX, too. However, the three-door model evolves this with sleeker, sportier LED headlights and a deeper, more aggressive set of lower air intakes.

The key design cues, though, are the rakish windscreen, low roofline and high waistline, which meet to give a heavily chopped appearance at the back. It’s reminiscent of the Scirocco, but is arguably more daring and head-turning. A neat diffuser-style lower bumper, roof spoiler and gorgeous LED tail-lights complete the rear. Add in short overhangs and large alloy wheels, and the model looks every inch the chic compact sports car.

And because that roofline doesn’t slope down too steeply, the Coupé will be practical, too, with plenty of headroom for rear passengers and a decent sized boot. Options such as a panoramic glass roof, to further increase the feeling of light and space inside, are anticipated.

In the front, a similar cabin to the five-door is expected, with a new centre console offering an improved version of Ford’s Human Machine Interface system. The finish will have a premium feel, with options including a reversing camera.

To match its storming looks, the car will be fitted with a class-leading chassis. And this promises even more agility and grip than the five-door, without sacrificing ride comfort or refinement.

There’ll be even more reason to smile when buyers see the engine range. New turbocharged EcoBoost powerplants will be available, with most cars getting a 1.6-litre petrol, producing 148bhp or 178bhp.

A new 1.6 TDCi diesel will also debut, giving up to 128bhp, alongside a flagship 2.0-litre with 168bhp or 197bhp. All these units will combine pace with superb fuel economy and low CO2 emissions. And helping the Focus Coupé to be even more efficient will be the option of a Powershift twin-clutch gearbox. This will be offered in addition to a standard-fit manual transmission. Stop-start technology is also expected to be rolled out across the line-up.

Of course, there will be a high-performance range-topper, but it’s unlikely to be powered by the much-loved 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine from the Focus ST and RS. This is deemed too thirsty, and will be replaced by a 2.0-litre, 200bhp EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo.

The new Focus range debuts alongside the C-MAX MPV at a major motor show next year.

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28 Comments

RWD

I think they could double sales if it was RWD.

By coxon1972 on 10 September, 2009, 4:08pm

I hope soon.

They should revive the Ford Capri soon. Probe & Couger were to hopeless. I hope Capri come back soon. We remember Dennis Waterman drove a Capri in Minder & Ci5 The Professinals drove by Doyle & Brody.

By deviras on 15 September, 2009, 11:24am

rwd

coxon1972 +1000000

By strofimios on 15 September, 2009, 5:50pm

Why bother

What would be the point of a 200bhp petrol when a 197bhp diesel would be a lot quicker in the real world, with better MPG. The styling is to bulky as well, all fords cars look like a mondeo. I used to be a big ford fan but they are way behind most of the other manufacturers in design appeal now.

By hudswell1 on 22 September, 2009, 9:15am

ANDYYPANDY

GOOD IDEA,BUT IT LOOKS NOTHING LIKE THE OLD CAPRI
THEY COULD HAVE, OR ATLEAST CALLED IT SOMETHING
ELSE!!.

By andypandy on 5 October, 2009, 3:23pm

What Capri ?? There are no design cues from the Capri at all, looks more like a sportier and bigger version of a new fiesta

By hugo_b on 3 December, 2009, 4:13pm

No Capri Here

Thats a particularly dull looking supposed 'Sports car'. No way a Capri replacement.

Why do Ford insist with this MPV look for all of their cars ?

I understand all this pedestrian protection but surely a more traditional extended bonnet look with swoopy coupe lines would have been a better bet. Just look at the VW Scirroco. Thats quite a brave move from Vw and it worked too.

This Capri should have been Fords new premium £20k+ coupe. Equipped with the latest 2.0 litre turbo charged petrol and equivalent deisel would be the best start.

Come on Ford,,,stop playing it safe !!

By gbrguy24 on 3 January, 2010, 8:49pm

British Mustang

fORD should have produced a scaled down version of the US version of the Ford Mustang for Europe.... preferably with a better rear suspension a 3 litre version of the 2.5 RS Engine for the top spec version would suit also

By silvershilling on 21 January, 2010, 1:54pm

British Mustang / Ford Capri

The comments made above ( British Mustang) relate to what i thought the "New" Cpri should have been..........apologies for that

By silvershilling on 21 January, 2010, 2:05pm

ford fiesta

oh yeah you could have fooled me....this really looks like a ford capri ....it reminds me of the old days in the professionals...can you picture it ...Bodi and Doyle in this car chasing villans. I think i will buy 2 because i like the rhinoceros shape body and the menacing looks from the front .....FORD get real! another girls car

By charliecrocker on 30 January, 2010, 1:22pm

Ford Crapi

Did your artist trace around a Scirocco for this impression? In no way could this car be described as a Capri. The name should be consigned to history unless Ford intend to "do a Mustang" and create a retro design coupe worthy of the Capri name.
Come on Ford: rear wheel drive, long bonnet/short tail and the characteristic C-shaped rear side window please.

By snappyuk on 2 March, 2010, 8:46am

NO NO NO - God No!

Why on earth would anyone want to see the return of the Ford Capri! It was a car that was driven mainly by old men in flat caps and young Idiots. Its image was one of it being a masturbators car. Those with "no brain" bimbo girlfriends. This image did more to warn the dedicated motorist off all Fords than any other pathetic car in their range. THE WORST CAR IN THE HISTORY OF MOTORING. The car that gave the world the impression that Ford were the worst car manufacturer ever. The fact that it was driven by characters like "Bodie and Doyle" and "Terry McGann" proves the point. One for the shallow of mind surely?

By bigbazza on 30 March, 2010, 8:36am

In Agreement.

bigbazza. I agree with most of what you say about Fords image and the old Capri. But this is a pretty car! I hope it appeals to the right sort of people this time around.

By zerotolerance on 5 April, 2010, 11:02am

Big Baz LOL again

You really don't like Ford Baz do you? What's up cant you afford to get past a MKI Mondeo? Worst car in the history of motoring? LOL

By davetst on 19 April, 2010, 5:03pm

Don't expect to ever see this. Auto Express living in cuckoo land agfain

Erm no it's not coming and clearly now they have launched the face of the new Focus, this will never happen. This is a cross photoshop of the Eon concept mated to a Focus body shap. Note the rear end too. AE are stating then that ford are going to make a whole new body, doors, windows, bumpers and front and rear lights. Yeah right!

By Focus_your_mind on 20 April, 2010, 4:12pm

Don't expect to ever see this. Auto Express living in cuckoo land again!

Erm no it's not coming, ever! Clearly now Ford have launched the face of the new Focus, this Yellow mock up will never happen. This is a cross photoshop of the Eon concept they've mated to a Focus body shape. Note the rear end too. AE are stating then that Ford are going to make a whole new body, doors, windows, bumpers, roof, bonnet and front and rear lights. So a whole new car then? Yeah right!

By Focus_your_mind on 20 April, 2010, 4:14pm

davetst

Your right I don't like Fords. And FYI I driven Mondeo's and but have never owned one and wouldn't have one as a gift. Incidentally I don't just hate Fords I hate porsches too! These cars say more about the owners than it does about the cars!

By bigbazza on 29 April, 2010, 4:19am

Dont do it

Oh dear, this looks like they have been talking to VW to me. The Scirocco looks like a squashed Golf, nothing like its pretty original, now Ford look to make the same mistake. A Capri needs to follow some of the old DNA, front engine, RWD. Sadly, with platform sharing the norm now, I couldnt see the Capri following this principal, while keeping the price real. And if its just going to look like another Focus, well, whats the point? I think the focus (ST +RS) take up too much of the ground for Capri to come back. So why bother?

By pocketpiston on 4 August, 2010, 12:11pm

Dont do it

Oh dear, this looks like they have been talking to VW to me. The Scirocco looks like a squashed Golf, nothing like its pretty original, now Ford look to make the same mistake. A Capri needs to follow some of the old DNA, front engine, RWD. Sadly, with platform sharing the norm now, I couldnt see the Capri following this principal, while keeping the price real. And if its just going to look like another Focus, well, whats the point? I think the focus (ST +RS) take up too much of the ground for Capri to come back. So why bother?

By pocketpiston on 4 August, 2010, 12:14pm

bigbazza bullsh!t

I loved my capri.

By LANMAN on 20 August, 2010, 12:15am

Ford Capri 2000GT V4

Most young Brit lads lusted after V6 3000GT's when I was at school in the early '70's. I preferred it's little brother though, the 2000GT. It was almost as quick. Its 2000cc V4 motor made a much better noise and it out-handled it's bigger brother due to its lighter engine.

My Top 3 coupe's from the 1970's are, in order of preference:

Datsun 240Z
Opel Manta (mk1)
Ford Capri 2000GT V4

By sgtgrash on 5 November, 2010, 3:18am

If its not RWD its not a Capri

Please - dear god do NOT use the name if you are just going to make an identikit fwd marketing exercise.

Please don't do it - there are loads of names out there.

Have some respect for the great work of your forefathers!

I drove capris for 20 years, from 1.6 and 2.0 lasers to a Cosworth 2.9 24v - and i loved them because they were fun to drive.

FWD is not fun to drive - it will never be 'the car you always promised yourself'.

By Journojulz on 23 January, 2011, 2:29pm

Nice car

But it's not a Capri.....Capri is a legend and this car has nothing in common with a Ford Capri...

By liverpool on 7 June, 2011, 7:33pm

A sharp looking coupe indeed. Bring it to the states, please! And who says the Capri has to look like the Capri of old? I had a '74 Capri and loved it. I would love to have this Capri too.

By GoFaster58 on 2 August, 2011, 1:53pm

i know i own all three

theres no design comparison atall its a shame to use the name
the mk1 capri was the most know and mk2 is very nice the laser is just good fun but this new one?
give it a break through it away use the old design for comparison
im sorry if its biased in anyway but you can't beat the original.

By classicfords on 2 September, 2011, 1:28pm

Not a Capri

That's not a Capri.. Just a stretched Fiesta, who back is like a copy of a Honda Fit ..
Back of cars like the new Megane, new Astra look like updated versions of an old 5th Generation Honda Civic,,,

By hugo_b on 30 September, 2011, 10:01am

Wrong look

I sure hope it doesn't look like that squashed fiesta up there.

By Dangerous_Dave on 30 September, 2011, 1:01pm

WHAT A BEAUTY MAKE IT NOW ! DON'T NAME IT A CAPRI 4 GOD'S SAKE

THAT'S WHAT THE FOCUS SHOULD OF LOOK LIKE IN THE FIRST PLACE, ESPECIALY WITH THEN WHEELS WOW !

By BEREAL on 10 October, 2011, 1:53am

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New coupe joins list of greats

From the legendary Capri – launched 40 years ago this week – to the brilliant Puma, Ford has scored hit after hit with its stunning coupes.

Not only have the firm’s models competed in virtually every sector of the market, but they’ve also dominated the opposition. With four-wheel-drive models such as the RS200 and the new GT supercar also joining the long list, it’s clear to see why the imminent arrival of this Focus-inspired model is creating such a stir.

There can be few more exciting prospects for UK driving fans than the first new Ford coupe for nearly 13 years.

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