Ford has been cannibalizing cars left and right over the past few years. In a short while, we had to say goodbye to the Fiesta, the Fusion (Mondeo in Europe), and the Taurus. America missed out on the current Focus, but that doesn’t matter now as production of the fourth generation of the car ends next month. What’s left? Not much, just Mustangs and Medium-sized sedan Sold in the Middle East and China.
Just over a year ago, CEO Jim Farley famously said that Ford was “Get out of the boring car business “And into the premium automotive business” by focusing on trucks and SUVs. It’s a stark contrast to the early 2000s, when the Blue Oval had a wide range that catered to a wide audience, before SUVs took over. At one point, Ford was considering reviving the Capri, known as the Mustang of Europe.
By 2003, New Edge’s design language was groundbreaking in the original to focus It has already been phased out. The Visos concept arrived two years early with what Ford called kinetic design, while showcasing in-car technology developed with Sony. Although it was meant to serve as a window into Ford’s future, the concept also borrowed from the past by going back to the original Capri.
The dual vents in front of the rear wheels, the quarter-glass shape, and the curvy C-pillar were clearly inspired by the brand’s beloved sports car, which had been discontinued for nearly two decades at the time. Chrome details paid homage to Ford’s European coupe, creating a retro-futuristic design that was first revealed at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show.
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Photo by: Ford
Although wider and almost as long as the Mondeo, the Visos’ underpinnings were more closely related to the second-generation Focus launched a year later. If the back reminds you of a Volvo C30, you’re not imagining things —Volvo It was part of the Ford umbrella at the time, along with Aston Martin. In fact, the C30 shared its platform with the Focus Mk2.
Power came from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that produced 345 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, sent to all four 20-inch wheels through a six-speed manual transmission (ASM).
In addition to powerful hardware, Visos stands out for its innovative design. The roof features a T-bar design with double glazed panels that rise when the doors are opened. With the doors extending slightly to the ceiling and the glass raised, getting in and out is easier. Once closed, the glass automatically retracts. The side cameras are flush with the doors that turn electrically when the engine is running.
The Visos was conceived as a 2+2 sports car, positioned above the usual Ford fare. Think of it as Ford’s stance on… Audi TTbut with a technology-laden interior. It heralded the SYNC infotainment system with a central screen hidden behind a cover on the center console. Another screen at the top of the dashboard handles the rearview camera. This was a rare feat in the early 2000s, when a digital toolkit was customizable.
Ford even designed a Sport mode that automatically inflates the driver’s seat bolsters for more lateral support. Externally, the mod used a front splitter, rear wing and diffuser to enhance downforce. The gearbox features a lever emerging from the transmission tunnel, allowing drivers to shift manually.
All of these innovations came at a cost: Ford reportedly spent millions developing the Visos, known internally as “Project S272.” When the concept was revealed, Ford’s European design director, Chris Beard, made it clear that he wanted to see the car reach production but acknowledged that the decision was not his. Speaking at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, he said development of the production version would take about two years. However, that never happened.
This wasn’t just a static display car either. Some journalists were invited to drive it at Ford’s test track in Cologne, Germany. Despite being a functional prototype, a production version was never realized. To be fair, Ford never promised to do this, just that some of its technology would make it into production cars, which actually happened later that decade.
As for why the Vesus was shelved, the consensus is that it would have been too expensive for Ford. There may also have been concerns about collision with Audi TTwhich was gaining popularity although there were some stability issues in the early days. In fact, the Audi coupe was not without problems. Early TT models suffered from aerodynamic instability, prompting recalls to add a rear spoiler, stiffen the rear springs, and upgrade the ESP system.
Visos was one of several scrapped attempts to bring back the Capri nameplate. She finally returns in 2024, if only in name. The latest Capri model is an electric crossover based on Volkswagen ID.5. While there are some design nods to the original, they’re hardly enough to justify the badge. To make matters worse, Ford did the same thing with… Puma. It was a charming, affordable sports coupe, and now it’s the umpteenth crossover.
Recent reports indicate Ford plans to launch new cars in EuropeBut a true Capri revival seems unlikely. If you can’t make the math work with full-size cars like the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo, a niche sports coupe below the Mustang is dead on arrival.
In an interview last year, Jim Farley admitted that Ford had “always competed in the heart of the passenger car market, which wasn’t good for the Mondeo, Focus and Fiesta. A lot of customers loved them, but they could never justify committing more capital – unlike commercial vehicles.” In other words, Ford sees more profit in trucks and vans.
Looking at it from another angle, perhaps enthusiasts should be grateful for that Mustang It still exists…
