Did the Mercury Capri have a V8?
Engine options by Capri generation
The Capri’s American-market engines were limited to a quartet of configurations centered on efficiency and compact performance. The following summarizes typical factory offerings during its production years in the United States (noting market variations).
- First generation (1970–1973): Standard 2.3 L inline-four (Pinto family) with an optional larger displacement V6, commonly the 2.6 L Cologne V6, rather than a V8.
- Second generation (1974–1978): Continued availability of the 2.3 L four-cylinder with the 2.8 L Cologne V6 as a popular upgrade; there was no factory V8 option.
Conclusion: The US Mercury Capri lineup did not include a factory V8. Some owners and tuners have performed aftermarket V8 conversions, but Ford/Mercury did not offer a factory V8 Capri.
What about Europe and other markets?
In Europe, the Ford Capri (the sister model on which Mercury's car was based) also did not come with a factory V8; most high-performance variants used the 2.0–2.8 L V6 range, with no standard production V8 offered. Aftermarket V8 swaps occasionally appeared, but they were not factory configurations.
Myth vs. reality
There are rumors of a factory V8 Capri, but no official production records confirm a V8 option for the Capri in the United States or Europe. Enthusiasts sometimes swap in V8s, but such modifications are outside the original factory lineup.
Summary
Bottom line: The Mercury Capri did not ship from the factory with a V8 engine. Its production engines were a 2.3 L inline-four and a 2.6–2.8 L V6 range, with no factory V8 option. If V8 performance is the goal, you’d be looking at other Ford models or a post-production modification, not an original Capri.
Note: Engine availability varied slightly by year and market, so always check specific model/year documentation for precise configurations. The core answer remains: no factory V8 Capri.
Did they make a V8 Capri?
The Ford V8 Capri is a classic example of Ford's innovation in blending muscle car performance with European styling. Introduced as part of the Ford Capri range, which was first launched in 1968, the V8 variant stood out for its impressive power and performance dynamics.
What engine was in a Ford Capri?
Ford Capri Mk I (1969–1974)
| Ford Capri Mk I | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.3 L Kent I4 1.3 L Taunus V4 1.5 L Taunus V4 1.6 L Kent I4 1.7 L Taunus V4 2.0 L Cologne V6 2.0 L Essex V4 2.0 L Pinto I4 2.3 L Cologne V6 2.6 L Cologne V6 3.0 L Essex V6 3.1 L Essex V6 (RS3100) 5.0 L Windsor V8 (Perana) |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual all-synchromesh |
What engines are available in the 1985 Mercury Capri?
For the more horsepower-minded driver, Capri GS is available with two optional engines: a 3.8-liter V-6 or a powerful 5.0-liter High-Output V-8.
What engine did the Mercury Capri have?
During its entire production, the Mercury Capri was sold under two trim levels: base trim and XR2, distinguished largely by the powertrain. The base trim was equipped with a 100 hp Mazda 1.6 L DOHC inline-4; the XR2 was equipped with a turbocharged version of the 1.6 L engine, rated at 132 hp.
