THE ICONIC FORD CAPRI NAMEPLATE HAS RETURNED AS AN EV SUV, BUT HERE'S A ONE-OFF DEDICATED TO ERIC CANTONA.
They brought back the Ford Capri. Sort of. It’s electric, it’s an SUV, and it's got nothing to do with the 1970s icon - except the badge. But while the purists reach for pitchforks, Ford’s added a glimmer of brilliance to the resurrection with a tribute to one of football’s most legendary rebels: Eric Cantona. The result is a one-off, custom-built Ford Capri that fuses electric swagger with the unmistakable charisma, mischief, and mystique of “King Eric.” And while it won’t bring back the three-door coupe, it might just raise a smirk from the original Capri faithful… if only for the nod to a man who once launched a kung-fu kick into football history. To kick off (see what we did there?) the new Capri’s launch campaign, Ford tapped into the mythos of Cantona - football genius, provocateur, and eternal cult hero. The French icon worked hand-in-hand with the Ford Design team to create a one-off version of the Capri that celebrates his legacy, both on and off the pitch. Built on the rear-wheel-drive Extended Range Capri, the one-off model ditches restraint in favour of full-tilt flair. The body’s bathed in a retina-searing Signal Orange - a throwback to Ford’s vibrant ‘70s palette - and complemented by gloss black racing stripes and side graphics that culminate in the iconic number 7, Cantona’s shirt number during his five-season reign in England. Each panel was stripped to bare metal before paint, ensuring the custom stripes, Cantona’s signature, and Ford Design logos weren’t slapped on as decals - they were masked and painted by hand, then sealed under layers of clearcoat for that factory-fresh gloss. Finishing touches include a bespoke gloss black rear spoiler, black-finished 21-inch alloys with dark silver outer lips, and the pièce de résistance: a discreet 3D crown badge on the rear pillar, paying homage to his nickname - King Eric.
The inside is just as cheeky. Open the door and you’ll find Feeltek Luxury Grain upholstery with twin Signal Orange racing stripes and matching orange stitching throughout. The steering wheel’s been rewrapped in leather, with the centre spoke colour-matched to the body. A custom centre console cover - 3D printed and polished in Plexiglas - hides the cupholders and features an eccentric, backlit quote delivered by Cantona himself during the Capri’s launch:
“When a goat follows his hero in his car, it’s because the ruler on the racetrack returns. The Legend is back.” Yeah. Only Cantona could get away with saying that.
And stitched into the front headrests is quite possibly the best feature of this Capri? A silhouette of that kung-fu kick - the infamous leap into the stands that turned him from footballer to folklore. Cantona fronted the Capri’s reveal in viral videos, media appearances and social media stunts, giving the all-electric SUV a dose of swagger it probably needed. Ford execs Louis-Carl Vignon (Ford France president) and Thomas Morel (Capri exterior design manager) handed over the car at Ford France HQ in a ceremony fit for a king. “It was a pleasure to work with Eric in the lead-up to the Capri’s launch,” said Morel. “So it felt right to honour that partnership with something this unique.”
“Capri is bursting with rebellious spirit. That’s why it’s the perfect match for The King", said Amko Leenarts, Design Director at Ford Europe. “This Capri reflects the many facets of Cantona – it deserves the title of ‘Legend,’” added Cantona. What a boss! So no, the new Ford Capri isn’t the coupe we remember. But this special edition, with its f-you attitude and one-man-only vibe, might just capture the spirit of the original - in a roundabout, kung-fu-kicking sort of way. It really should have been in a shade of Manchester United Red, though…
Take a look at the YouTube video from the UK side of Ford where you see iconic footballer King Eric - Eric Cantona - introducing the resurrection of the equally iconic Capri nameplate - you may be able to tell that he's an ambassador for the brand/product. It makes sense then that the powers-that-be at Ford would create a special one-off Capri to further capitalise on the collab: Ford Capri - Eric Cantona | Ford UK
Be sure to check out our YouTube channel here for more exciting and exclusive SXdrv content! And don't forget to smash that subscribe button!