In the vibrant automotive landscape of 1990, the Mercury Capri emerged as a significant contender in the expanding affordable convertible segment. This vehicle, particularly its XR2 variant, represented Ford's strategic entry into a market recently revitalized by the immense popularity of the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Conceived from a Ford of Europe design concept and engineered with a global perspective, the Capri showcased a unique blend of international collaboration, leveraging Mazda's mechanical expertise and Australian manufacturing capabilities. Despite facing delays in its release, the Capri aimed to carve out its own niche by offering a distinct package of features, performance, and practicality, all while navigating the competitive waters of the open-top sports car revival.
Unveiling the 1990 Mercury Capri XR2: A Comprehensive Review
Hailing from the July 1990 edition of Car and Driver, a detailed examination of the Mercury Capri XR2 unveils Ford's ambitious foray into the burgeoning low-cost convertible market. This initiative was spurred by the phenomenal success of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, which had single-handedly resurrected the demand for such vehicles. Ford’s response was the brand-new Mercury Capri, a sleek 2+2 convertible, available in two distinct versions, and featuring a front-wheel-drive platform.
The standard Capri, introduced at a base price of $12,588, boasted a Mazda-sourced 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve inline-four engine, delivering 100 horsepower. This engine was paired with a smooth five-speed manual gearbox, and an optional four-speed automatic transmission was also offered. Standard amenities included power steering, windows, and mirrors, along with an electronic AM/FM radio, intermittent wipers, a digital clock, a leather-wrapped steering wheel featuring an airbag, and four-wheel disc brakes. Additional options encompassed air conditioning, a cassette player-equipped sound system, alloy wheels, and power door locks.
The sportier XR2 model, priced at $15,522, elevated the performance with a turbocharged and intercooled iteration of the base engine, producing 132 horsepower. This powertrain, borrowed from the 1988 Mazda 323GT, was exclusively mated to a modified five-speed manual transmission. The XR2 package incorporated all the features and options of the standard model, further enhanced with fog lamps, cruise control, a rear spoiler, and a more aggressive suspension tuning. Both Capri variants could be outfitted with an optional $1225 steel hardtop, complete with a heated glass rear window, offering enhanced versatility and comfort across all seasons. A palette of five colors—white, silver, red, blue, and black—allowed for personal expression.
The Mercury Capri’s journey began as the Ghia-designed Barchetta concept car, unveiled at the 1983 Frankfurt Auto Show. Originally envisioned with inexpensive Fiesta mechanicals for the European market, the project was later re-engineered by Ital Design in Turin, with a focus on the U.S. market. This transformation involved integrating drivetrain and chassis components from Mazda, specifically from the Mercury Tracer and Mazda 323 models. Ford of Australia spearheaded the entire development, investing $245 million, a significant portion of which was allocated to meeting U.S. emissions control and passive-restraint regulations. These requirements, particularly California's stringent pollution standards, extended the development timeline by 18 months, inadvertently allowing Mazda to launch the Miata ahead of the Capri.
Manufactured at Ford's Broadmeadows plant in Australia, the Capri's nimble chassis was honed on the challenging and varied terrains of Australia's eastern coastline. While its exterior aesthetics were noted as less captivating than the Miata's, especially with the hardtop, the Capri distinguished itself with a more spacious interior, even accounting for its modest rear seating. The cloth-upholstered seats provided ample support, with the driver's seat offering height and lumbar adjustments. The dashboard featured a clean design, intuitively arranged controls, and quality switchgear. The XR2 specifically integrated a turbo-boost gauge within the tachometer, catering to performance enthusiasts. The only minor ergonomic oversight noted was the absence of a one-touch mist function for the wipers.
The Capri's rear seats, while tight for adults, served as convenient storage or could be folded down to expand luggage capacity. The trunk, though not expansive, could accommodate golf clubs, and a pass-through to the cabin facilitated carrying longer items. The soft top, when stowed, occupied trunk space, but the quick, manual process of lowering it—involving releasing two latches, lifting the front, opening the cowl cover, dropping the top, and closing the boot—was commendably efficient. In terms of performance, the XR2 model demonstrated its athletic capabilities, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 16.1 seconds at 85 mph, with a top speed of 125 mph. Its engine offered strong mid-range response, though torque steer was noticeable in lower gears. The XR2's firm all-strut suspension absorbed road imperfections adeptly, maintaining stability even over significant surface variations, contributing to its neutral handling at speed and generating up to 0.77 g of grip. However, it did exhibit low-speed understeer, some steering vagueness, and noticeable body quivers over rough surfaces, typical for a small convertible.
Ford's extensive efforts to stiffen the Capri's all-steel body, through features like heavy-gauge sheetmetal in critical areas and robust crossmembers, resulted in a convertible comparable in rigidity to the Volkswagen Cabriolet. With the hardtop installed, the Capri attained a coupe-like solidity, enhancing its all-weather appeal. The Capri was envisioned as a fun, speedy, and versatile vehicle, with Ford projecting annual sales of 30,000 units. The ensuing market rivalry between the Capri and the Miata promised to benefit American car buyers by fostering innovation and competition in the convertible segment.
The introduction of the Mercury Capri XR2 offers a fascinating glimpse into the automotive industry's responsiveness to market trends and the complexities of global vehicle development. The article highlights how, even with careful planning and significant investment, external factors like regulatory delays can alter a product's market trajectory. It underscores the perpetual dance between innovation, competition, and consumer preferences, and how, ultimately, this dynamic benefits the end-user with a richer variety of choices and advancements. The Capri's story is a testament to the fact that while some cars achieve iconic status, others, though equally well-conceived, contribute to the automotive narrative by challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of what's available to enthusiasts.
