What Ford replaced the Capri?
The Capri’s slot in Ford’s European lineup was not filled by a single direct replacement model. There is no one-for-one successor to the Capri, and Ford shifted focus to other body styles rather than introducing an official two-door coupe to take its place.
Direct replacement status
Ford did not launch a one-for-one Capri successor after the model ended in 1986. Instead, the company redirected resources toward other popular segments such as hatchbacks, sedans, and, later, more versatile crossovers.
- No direct replacement: Ford did not introduce a Capri-style two-door coupé as an official successor.
- Shifting priorities: The emphasis moved to mainstream models (Escort/Fiesta, Mondeo/Sierra) and broader market trends favored hatchbacks and four-door designs.
- Closest emotional successor: In hindsight, the late-1990s Ford Puma is often cited as a spiritual successor in spirit, not a direct replacement.
In summary, Ford chose not to replace the Capri with an exact model; the market eventually moved on to other Ford offerings rather than a direct Capri twin.
Context and timeline
Understanding the Capri’s lifecycle helps explain why a direct successor never emerged. The Capri was produced from 1969 to 1986, across three generations, before Ford decided to discontinue the model and reallocate development resources elsewhere.
- 1969: Ford Capri launched in Europe as a stylish, rear-wheel-drive two-door coupe and a European counterpart to the Mustang.
- 1974: Mk II introduced, bringing styling tweaks and mechanical refinements to stay competitive.
- 1981: Mk III debut, marking the final evolution before production ended in 1986.
- Post-1986: No formal Capri replacement; Ford’s lineup focused on other body styles and market segments.
These milestones illustrate how Ford ended the Capri era without a direct, named successor in the European market.
Legacy and closest successors
Spiritual successors and market context
While there is no official Capri successor, later Ford models in Europe carried the torch for sportier, entry-level performance in a different form. The most commonly cited distant relative is the Ford Puma, launched in the late 1990s, which offered a compact, spirited package in a modern hatchback format rather than a traditional two-door coupé.
- Ford Puma (1997-2002): A compact, sporty three-door hatch aimed at enthusiasts, often regarded as a distant, spirit-fulfilling successor rather than a direct replacement.
- Later European sporty offerings: Ford continued to emphasize hot hatch variants and versatile coupes within broader model lines rather than a dedicated Capri twin.
- Global context: The Mustang remains Ford’s most recognizable two-door coupe globally, but it serves a different market segment and is not a European Capri replacement.
Overall, Ford did not appoint a direct Capri replacement; the company instead broadened its lineup and let sportier, smaller-engined cars like the Puma occupy a similar spirit in a newer market context.
Summary
There is no single Ford model that directly replaced the Capri. The Capri ended in 1986 without a formal successor, as Ford redirected its European lineup toward other body styles and market segments. In hindsight, the closest nod to its legacy came with later sporty entries such as the Ford Puma, which captured a similar spirit in a different era. Today, Ford’s lineup continues to evolve, but no official Capri replacement exists.
What car replaced the Capri?
Although the Capri was not officially replaced by any Ford model, the second-generation Probe was effectively its replacement after the later car's introduction to the European market in 1992.
What was the Ford Capri called in America?
Derived from the Australian Ford Laser (sold in the United States as the first-generation Mercury Tracer), the Ford Capri also shares drivetrain commonality with the Mazda 323. To adapt the Capri for United States sale, Lincoln-Mercury made several changes over the Australian-market Capri.
Are Ford bringing out a new Capri?
The new Ford Capri 2025 reimagines the classic model as a sleek, all-electric SUV. This new model combines retro style with modern technology, offering a spacious interior and advanced features like the SYNC® Move touchscreen.
How much is a new 2025 Ford Capri?
The Ford Capri has a RRP range of £41,485 to £57,485. However, with Carwow you can save on average £7,439. Prices start at £34,588 if paying cash. Monthly payments start at £340.
