Going global is the name of the game these days, and what better division to do it for Ford than their only profitable division, Ford Europe. Certainly the most adept at anticipating market conditions, Ford Europe, gets design and construction responsibilities for the new range of global products.
Already we see the new Ford Focus, which started out in Europe, finally making its way to North America, and it is speculated that the next generation Mondeo will follow suit as the new Taurus. But Ford Europe could revive a old classic name as a small sports coupe, the Capri.
As the European equivalent to America's pony car, the Capri, particularly the Mk III built between 1977 – 1986, was a nimble, well equipped and reliable vehicle, which to this day enjoys a cult like following.
It had been speculated for years that Ford would bring the sporting coupe back from the dead, especially after showing the Visos (see attached photos) coupe hatchback concept in Frankfurt in 2003, but nothing materialized.
But now the story is gaining traction again, and the new Capri is said to be heavily influenced by the Iosis concept, which also played a major design role with the current Mondeo. With a concept expected in 2009, the Capri is said to use the mechanical components from the Mondeo with a 2+2 configuration.
According to insiders, it will be front-wheel-drive, weigh less than 2600 lbs (kg) and an RS version with a 4-cylinder turbo unit making between 150 – 200hp. Production could begin in 2012.
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