What was the ford capri going to be originally called?

Answer 1

Everything you need to know about Ford/Mercury Capri

Ford/Mercury Capri 1989 - 1994
Styled by italians, built by Australians with Japanese Mechanicals. The Ford/Mercury Capri came about because Ford Australia (APAO) had an interst in building & marketing an export project vehicle. The initial approv...al and funding was given in 1984, to develop a small front wheel drive, two seat convertible. All Capri's were assembled in Melbourne Australia & maarketed in Australia and the United States.



The Production Capri was based on the successful 1983 Ford of Europe, Fiesta-based Ghia designed 2 seat convertible called the Barchetta (little boat). The Capri exterior was styles by Ford's "Ghia" design studio. The engineering, the interior & folding roof were done by "Ital design" an Italian engineering/design firm. The Mechanicals (engine, transaxle, brakes, suspension & steering) were manufactured & supplied by "Mazda Motors", a Ford Asian Partner.



There were two models, the base version and the turbo charged XR2. Both has DOHC 1.6 Litre engines. The base version was rated at an even 100hp AT 5750 rRPM, and 95ft.lb of torque at 5500 RPM, while the XR2 turbo engine was rated at 132hp at 6000rpm and 136ft/lb of torque at 3000rpm. A five speed manual transmission was standard. A four speed automatic was available only on the base (non turbo) version.

The "Ford Capri" was initially offered to Australia in 1989. In late 1990 it was marketed & sold in the US as a "Mercury Capri". Ford hoped a Sporty convertible woudl encourage younger/female customers into Mercury dealerships, where the customer base was primarily older/males.

The Capri was not an immediate sales sucess. Ford targeted first year sales of 30,000 but only 21,000 were actually sold & production decreased each of the subsequent years. Despite generally favorable reports from the automotive press, the Capri suffered from initial build quality problems, vehicle recalls, poor marketing support & a negative article in the April 1991 issues of Consumer Reports. Production ceased when the Capri failed to meets its marketing goals & Ford believed that future demand for two sear convertibles in general, was on the decline.

Manufacturing congtinued until the 1994 model year, with total world wide production reaching 66,279. The final year of production 1994 Ford of Australia assembled less than 4,000 Capris & of that number only 366 were XR2's.

There you have it in a nutshell.......