| Ford Capri | |
|---|---|
_convertible_01.jpg) 1989–1992 Ford Capri (SA) convertible, (pre-facelift) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford Australia |
| Also called | Mercury Capri |
| Production | 1989–1994 |
| Assembly | Australia:Melbourne, Victoria (Broadmeadows) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports roadster |
| Body style | 2-doorconvertible |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Platform | Mazda BF |
| Related | Mazda 323 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 LB6-2EI4 1.6 LB6TTurbo I4 |
| Transmission | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,405 mm (94.7 in)[1] |
| Length | 4,219 mm (166.1 in)[1] |
| Width | 1,641 mm (64.6 in)[1] |
| Curb weight | 1,048–1,130 kg (2,310–2,491 lb)[2][3] |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Ford Probe |
TheFord Capri (SA30) is an automobile which was produced byFord Australia from 1989 to 1994. The launch of the car marked a revival of theFord Capri name, previously used byFord of Europe from 1969 to 1986 and Ford USAs, Mercury Division, on theirFox-bodied, Mercury Capri, from 1979 to 1986.
The Australian Capri, codenamed the SA30, was an entry-levelconvertible, based onMazda 323 engines and mechanicals thatFord Australia had also used in theLaser. It had a body shell designed byGhia and an interior byItalDesign. During development of the Capri, Mazda was developing theMX-5, a vehicle that, although considerably more expensive, was commonly considered its direct competitor.[4] Unlike the MX-5, the Capri was a 2+2 rather than a strict two-seater.
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The Australian-built Capri was intended primarily for export to the US. Exports began in 1991, as theMercury Capri. When the car was new, it had a poor reputation for reliability,[5] although many still exist today perhaps due to the mechanical robustness of the Laser/323 upon which it was based.[6] In particular, the Capri's roof was prone to leaking, due to poor-quality materials being used; although Ford quickly resolved the issue, the car's poor reputation stuck.[5] As a result, the MX-5 was comfortably more popular in the United States (but not Australia), particularly as that car wasrear-wheel-drive, and enthusiasts were skeptical about thefront-wheel-drive arrangement that the Capri used.[5]
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Two models were initially offered in the Capri's range: a base model, with a 1.6 LB6-2ESOHCinline-4 engine that produced 61 kW (82 hp; 83 PS),[1] and aturbocharged model, which used the 1.6 LB6TDOHC inline-4, which produced 100 kW (134 hp; 136 PS).[2] The base model was available with a 5-speedmanual transmission or a 3-speedautomatic transmission, whilst the turbocharged model only had the manual gearbox.[2] In 1990, thenaturally-aspirated 1.6 LB6D DOHC unit, which produced 75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS), was added to the range,[7] and this was the only engine available in 1991.[8]
For 1992, the Capri was updated, and given the codename SC; the turbocharged engine was also re-added to the range.[9] An XR2 trim level was also introduced for both engines, whilst the base trim for the naturally-aspirated model was renamed Barchetta, and the base trim for the turbo model renamed to Clubsprint.[9] In 1993, the Capri was updated again, and this time was given the codename SE.[3] Production ended in 1994, after a total of 66,279 Capri convertibles had been built; 10,347 of these wereright-hand-drive (RHD) models for the Oceania/Southeast Asia market. 9,787 Capris were sold in Australia, whilst the remaining RHD Capris went to New Zealand and Southeast Asia.[10]
The 1989–94 Capri was assessed in the Used Car Safety Ratings 2006 as providing "worse than average" protection for its occupants in the event of a crash.[11]