Key Takeaways
- Ford is set to reveal a new electric coupe model at its Cologne plant, potentially reviving the Capri nameplate.
- The upcoming electric coupe SUV is described as a “sports crossover,” part of Ford’s collaboration with Volkswagen.
- While popular in Europe, the revived Capri model may not reach the US market.
Ford has announced that its second electric mode produced at its revamped Cologne plant in Germany will be revealed on July 10. Automotive News Europe reports that this model will have a coupe silhouette, which is believed to revive the Capri nameplate that Europeans love.
The Cologne plant has recently started producing the Explorer EV, which is far different from the Explorer sold in the US. The assembly plant was retooled to produce EVs for the European market. The supposed Capri revival will sit on the same platform as the electric Explorer and comprise a third of the plant’s production capacity.
Built In Collaboration With Volkswagen
Though Ford hasn’t confirmed the Capri name for its upcoming electric coupe SUV, the Blue Oval has described it as a “sports crossover,” Automotive News Europe reports. If it goes through, this will be the second Ford coupe revived as an SUV; the first was the Puma in 2019.
The Capri and the electric Explorer are on Volkswagen’s MEB platform, which was born from the collaboration between the two automakers. This partnership began with the development of the new Ranger and the Amarok, though it’s interesting to see whether the partnership will continue with VW’s next-generation SSP platform.
NHTSA Opens Recall Investigation For Over 51,000 Volkswagen ID.4 EVs
The investigation is related to consumer complaints related to the VW ID.4.
Will It Reach The US?
Unlike the Ford Capri of yesteryear, which reached the US as the Mercury Capri, the supposed revived electric version won’t likely reach the US. That’s because, despite its popularity in Europe, selling 1.8 million units across three generations from 1968 to 1986, the nameplate doesn’t hold much weight with the American population.
Besides, if you want a crossover built on the same MEB platform, Volkswagen currently offers the ID.4 in the US. It has a coupe counterpart called ID.5, which isn’t available to Americans. Meanwhile, Ford is believed to be developing an Escape-sized electric crossover with an interior the size of the US-spec Explorer. A team assembled by Ford CEO Jim Farley is working on its development, with former Tesla engineer Alan Clark leading the effort.
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