Ford Capri (Australia)

Ford Capri
1989–1992 Ford Capri (SA) convertible, with optional removable hardtop roof
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Also called	Mercury Capri
Production	1989–1994
Assembly	Australia: Campbellfield, Victoria
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door convertible
Layout	FF layout
Related	Mazda 323
Powertrain
Engine	1.6 L B6-2E I4 1.6 L Turbo B6T I4
Transmission	3-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,405 millimetres (94.7 in)[1]
Length	4,219 millimetres (166.1 in)[1]
Width	1,641 millimetres (64.6 in)[1]
Curb weight	1,048–1,130 kg (2,310–2,491 lb)[2][3]

The Ford Capri (SA30) is an automobile which was produced by Ford Australia from 1989 to 1994. The launch of the car marked a revival of the Ford Capri name, previously used by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986.

The Australian Capri, codenamed the SA30, was an entry-level convertible, based on Mazda 323 engines and mechanicals that Ford Australia had also used in the Laser. It had a body shell designed by Ghia and an interior by ItalDesign. During development of the Capri, Mazda was developing the MX-5, a vehicle that, although considerably more expensive, was commonly considered its direct competitor.^[4]

History

The Australian-built Capri was intended primarily for export to the US. Exports began in 1991, as the Mercury 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, particularly as that car was rear-wheel-drive, and enthusiasts were skeptical about the front-wheel-drive arrangement that the Capri used.^[5]

1993–1994 Ford Capri (SE) XR2 convertible

Two models were initially offered in the Capri's range: a base model, with a 1.6 L B6-2E SOHC inline-4 engine that produced 61 kW (82 hp; 83 PS),^[1] and a turbocharged model, which used the 1.6 L B6T DOHC inline-4, which produced 100 kW (134 hp; 136 PS).^[2] The base model was available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic transmission, whilst the turbocharged model only had the manual gearbox.^[2] In 1990, the naturally-aspirated 1.6 L B6D 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; of which 10,347 were right-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]

References