Why This 2025 Ford Capri Render Will Be Loved More Than The 2024 Mustang In Europe

Our version of a modern Ford Capri is quicker, nimbler, and more fun than the 2024 Mustang despite packing the same EcoBoost and Coyote engines.

The era of pure muscle cars, as we know, is coming to an end. The Chevrolet Camaro is getting a very bland send-off, and Dodge is planning to woo us with a 2-door Dodge Charger EV. In this bold upcoming world of e-Muscle, only Ford plans to give us the nostalgic pill a bit longer, as the seventh-gen S650 Mustang brakes cover in 2024.

While the Blue Oval is already at it, we thought of helping them by reviving the Mustang's cousin from across the pond. Enter the 2025 Ford Capri Render by HotCars Digital Artist Rostislav Prokop. It modernizes the "European Mustang" into a sleek and compact muscle car. The 2025 Capri Concept utilizes the same engines as the 2024 Mustang, including the Coyote V8 in a very special Capri.

But our Capri is much more fun and exciting because of its impressive power-to-weight ratio. The classic Capri was also known for its lightweight character, which made it the coolest non-American muscle car, despite its puny stock engine options.

If an all-new Capri launches today, it will be an underdog and compete against the likes of the 2023 Nissan Z, the 2023 Toyota GR Supra, the 2023 Subaru BRZ, and even the soon-to-be-discontinued 2023 Audi TT.

Related: 8 Things Everyone Forgot About The Ford Capri 280 Brooklands

The 2024 Ford Mustang is not only a muscle car but is also a legitimate sports car. In a very different scenario, this would have been considered blasphemy. But we are entering a world where speakers are used to replicating the sonorous exhaust note for electric cars. So, Ford is safe. While the S650 Mustang continues the legacy of the classic V8 RWD muscle car, we wanted more from less.

The Mustang is charismatic and powerful, making its presence felt on the roads. But imagine a more compact muscle car, more in line with the size of an AMC Gremlin. Well, addressing the Gremlin as a muscle car is still debatable. But the idea is to create a more nimble muscle car.

We did just that with our 2025 Ford Capri render. Some consider the classic 70s Capri one of the most beautiful-looking muscle cars ever made. It was also unorthodox, as the Capri was designed for Europe, where roads are not as wide as in the U.S. Prokop has rejuvenated the Capri's lines and shape into a more modern, minimal, and sleek design language.

There are fewer creases; Even the chunky shoulder line has been replaced with a mellow bump. Amidst all the modern bits, Prokop has retained the C-pillar shape to remind us of the 1970s Capri. The dark green shade complements this two-door European muscle car's minimal nature.

In a quest to modernize the lighting setup, a bit of the Dodge Challenger has seeped in on the front fascia of our 2025 Capri. The rear fascia flaunts an elongated windshield and neatly hides a duck-lip spoiler, both of which are, again, a nod to the classic design. Those unique seven-spoke chrome wheels are of the perfect size and complete the Mustang's cousin's compact yet nostalgic looks.

The 70s Ford Capri was a surprisingly cool muscle car in looks but not in engine options. You see, Europe didn't need big-brawny V8-powered cars as the roads didn't support them. The Capri was also aimed at being a bread-and-butter car first and a muscle car second. Ford is a genius to have clubbed the two together.

The classic Capri's engine options ranged from puny 1.3-Liter Kent Inline-4s to energetic 3.1-Liter Essex V6s. But those who love a true muscle car wanted more. They wanted a V8. And this is precisely what a group of enthusiasts from Johannesburg, South Africa did. The most powerful iteration of the 70s Capri - the Perana, was made at a private garage in South Africa.

Using a 302 cu-in Ford Windsor V8 engine, the Ford Capri was transformed into a hoot with 280 hp. This was impressive because Ferrari 365 GTB/3 Daytona, De Tomaso Pantera GTS, and even Lamborghini Espada packed under 350 horses. Even more impressive is that the classic Ford Capri weighed just 2,500 pounds.

We have replicated the same performance and dynamic characteristics with the HotCars Exclusive 2025 Capri Concept. It utilizes the same engine options as the 2024 Mustang. The base engine is a 315-HP 2.3-Liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine. But it is the Coyote V8 with up to 500 hp that makes our version of a modern Capri very interesting.

The most powerful 2024 Mustang (Dark Horse), with the 500-hp Coyote V8, 0-60 mph comes in 4.3 seconds and achieves a top speed of 155 mph. For the record, the Dark Horse weighs close to 3,900 pounds. Now, imagine plonking the 500-hp V8 in our Capri. It will be a wild sleeper muscle car, as our Capri weighs 1,000 pounds less. The V8-powered 2025 Capri is the perfect throwback to the iconic Perana model.

While the Capri was not designed for North America, it did come State-side. The earlier models were Lincoln-Mercury badged versions which people nicknamed "the sexy European". It wasn't until the third-gen Capri that America got a "Ford" badged one, under the Mercury division. But this was also the least 'sexy' model with a drastic change in design language. And so, the most loved classic Capri models today are of the first two generations.

The Ford Capri sells for an average of $28,500 today. The first- and second-gen models demand more money, around $60,000, and so do the ones that pack the Essex V6 engines. It is estimated that there were only 500 units of the 5.0-Liter Windsor-equipped Capri Peranas.

So, don't expect anything less than six figures here. But the most expensive European Mustang has got to be the race-spec Capris, specifically the RS2600. Prices of these race-ready Fords can creep well over $200,000 with ease.

Related: Why The New Ford Explorer EV Is The Blue Oval's Biggest Gamble

Ford has finally decided to revive the Capri nameplate, but not everyone will be happy with how they do it. With the wave of EVs stronger than ever, Ford has decided to create an all-new Capri crossover EV. Similar to Ford's Mustang Mach-E strategy, The Capri is returning as a cozy four-door SUV.

It is expected to be based on the same MEB platform that underpins the recently unveiled Euro-spec Ford Explorer EV. The return of the Capri nameplate is part of Ford's master plan to electrify its entire European line-up by 2030. Nine of these EVs are already lined to hit the spotlight by 2024.

While EVs are on an exponential rise, the extinction of ICE-powered cars is still not threatening. We understand the rush that certain manufacturers are in, but Ford isn't one of them. Otherwise, we would have seen at least a hybrid 2024 Mustang.

This is precisely why we want Ford to revive the Capri as an old-school muscle car. It needs to show the world that a V8 RWD Ford muscle car can be both fun and efficient. It can be a hoot around the track as well as a cozy grocery-getter. Not only do our version of the Ford Capri ooze nostalgia, but it can also put a wide grin on the driver's face and doesn't need fake speaker-induced exhaust note to do it.

Tijo is an engineer, mechanic, and an avid content creator. He is a grease-monkey who loves tinkering with automobiles every now and then, when not busy penning down his passion for them. He has always had a soft spot for JDM and is keen on diving deep in for anything that involves wheels and engines.