By Ian Strachan.
It’s a generational thing. When I think of a Ford Capri I think of the car I had back in the 1970s – blue with a black vinyl roof, a bonnet that went on forever and a habit of stopping in the rain thanks to a leaky distributor cap.
Oh, how things have changed!. Today Ford’s fully-electric Capri is an entirely different animal. With zero emissions and a range of up to 350 miles between charges, this is the epitome of clean motoring. From babe magnet (I wished) to planet saver.
But don’t think for a moment that the latest Capri is boring, just because it’s environmentally responsible. The Capri Premium that I tested is all-wheel drive and will take you from 0-60 mph in a tad over five six seconds. Its electric motor has a more than adequate 340 bhp and a top speed, where allowed, of 111 mph.
Despite its performance the Capri is very composed, with a ride that’s engaging but confident, and a very pleasant cruiser. Its suspension set-up is capable of absorbing all but the biggest potholes.
It’s also a good looker, despite shedding the American-inspired sports car look of its 70s namesake. My test car came in an eye-catching paint finish called Vivid Yellow. They’re not kidding. You’re never going to lose this in a car park!. Its side aspect is helped by stylish 21-inch silver alloys (£1,000 option) and black door mirrors and sill trim. From the rear the LED tail lamps, Ford lettering and trim make it stand out from the crowd.
The interior is also very pleasant, with good trim materials. The massive central 14.6 inch touchscreen to control sound and navigation is big enough for a home cinema and is the most prominent feature of interior, but I like it. It’s easy to use and because it’s so big you can make minor adjustments without taking your eyes off the road.
Specification on the Capri Premium AWD is good, with dual-zone automatic temperature control with pre-heating capability, heated driver and passenger seats, 12-way powered drivers seta with memory, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging pad, intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane keeping aid and departure warning, front and rear parking sensors with rear view camera, cross traffic alert, heated windscreen and privacy glass.
You also get matrix LED headlamps with automatic control and glare-free function, panoramic roof, LED ambient lighting, powered tailgate, and heated and powered door mirrors.
My test car came with a £1,300 driver assistance pack that included head-up display, driver alert, active park assist and a 360 degree parking camera. It also had that head-turning paint finish (£800) and a £1,050 heat pump which is a great way of heating the cabin on cold mornings without seriously compromising vehicle range.
The Ford Capri is a good choice for anyone looking to buy a fully electric vehicle for the first time. It’s not cheap – the on-the-road price for the Capri in Premium AWD spec is £56, 095, but you get a well-specified, good performing comfortable car with lower ownership and running costs than its petrol-powered competitors.
