Autoblog

The original Ford Capri was born in the early '70s as sort of a European take on the all-American Mustang and it looks like Ford may be on the verge of reviving the nameplate. Now that the Volkswagen has brought back the Scirocco (in Europe at least) Ford looks set to create a coupe off the Focus platform with the old name. Unlike another rendering we saw last month, this one doesn't have the rear fender vents, but sticks with the current fashion of front fender openings (or at least the appearance of openings). The style of this rendering takes the kinetic design language of Ford's Euro line and applies it to a shooting brake-style coupe very similar to the Volvo C30 (which also sits on the Focus C1 platform) and mixes in hints of the Mazda RX-8. At least it's all being kept in the family. If this new Capri does happen, it likely won't appear before the early years of the next decade, although a concept could appear somewhere in 2009.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Well look at that, the quarter panel vent from the new Focus can look good! No need to complain yet that this is but another Ford we'll never see, as it may not happen on any continent. Auto Bild has gone to press with shots of a new Mercury Capri concept that is rumored to be the work of an extremely skilled PhotoChopper. We're also unsure if the details they cite about the car being a sub-3,000 pound 2+2 with 140-250 horsepower and a production date of 2012 are fanciful or rooted in truth, but none of that matters. This thing is off the hook to our puppy-dog enthusiastic eyes. Mercury has nothing badass in its lineup, and while it'd be weird to be proffering this car with KISS makeup next to an entire lineup of handsomized Fords, we think it might be a way for Ford to reel in some new blood to the brand. Just don't call it Cougar. Cougars drive Mercurys - though probably while smoking Capris. Call it whatever, just put it on sale.

[Source: carspyshots.net]