Automobiles Review

Tag: Capri

  • OZ wheels

    How important is your car to you? I am pretty sure there are thousands of people’s girlfriends around the world like mine claiming you love your car more than you love her.

    There is a huge chance you might be going to bed with the set instead of your wife/girlfriend.

    OZ wheels were first manufactured in 1971 by Silvano Oselladore and Pietro Zen.  The company itself was actually established 7 years later with some external financing.

    The actual rise of the company started in 1992 when it moved to the new headquarters in San Martino di Lupari. So, we are 2011, meaning OZ is quite a young company, at the same time it is one of the most vigorously developing ones.  Since 1999 OZ have been manufacturing motorcycle wheels in collaboration with Aprillia, also car alloy wheels for Sparco. In 1982 OZ became the sole supplies to Lamborghini!

    OZ Superturismo GT Black
    OZ Superturismo GT Black

    Just 12 years after the company was created, in 1990 OZ won a title in WRC put on Carlos Sainz’s Toyota. Furthermore, in 1996 Damon Hill and his team Williams became F1 champions using OZ wheels.  OZ wheels nowadays can be found in DTM series,  GP3, IndyCar, WRC and so on and so on.

    So what pushed the brand to the top? On the first place it is the quality – the most titled wheel brand needs to create products to last – the TUV certificate and the wins come to prove this pretty much every day. Being an Italian manufacturer, it is somehow natural OZ makes some of the most beautiful alloys.

    Still, if you have any doubts about OZ, keep in mind all alloys are Xray tested , impact tested and so and so on, so that you can be sure you have the best piece of quality fitted – No matter if you need just beautiful alloys for a daily driver, lightweight for your track toy, or vintage looking wheels for your Capri, OZ has something available!

    Keep rolling baby!

  • Ford Capri – The Legend Is Back

    After the Scirocco, the Beetle and the Mini, it is time for another legend to comeback on stage. Ford has announced that for the 40th anniversary of the Capri, a new model will be launched on the market both to revive the legend and to compete the Megane coupe and the Scirocco.

    The design of the car is expected to follow the lines of Iosis Max, a concept first revealed in 2009. Many people will wonder, if we have a sporty Focus, what’s the use of another Capri? The answer is simple: This will not be a hot hatch, but more a coupe, what is more it will be the new face of Ford and will have the responsibility to show the world Ford’s new vision and design concepts.

    Of course sooner or later it will come down to power – and Ford has definitely something to offer – up-to-date with modern tendencies, the engines used will be turbocharged. Unlike the ancestors the new Capri will also be offered with diesel engines 130HP-197HP (expected). The petrol engines will be a 1.6 liter with either 148HP or 178HP and a 2.0 liter with about 200HP. The set up is expected to propel the coupe to 100 km/h (62mph) in about 6 seconds and reach 250 km/h (155 mph).

    Ford Capri 1973
    Ford Capri 1973

    To be honest this is a pity. Remember, the top versions back then were 6 cylinders, I do not think anyone needs to be reminded what is the sound of a well balanced 6 cylinder engine. At least in terms of power, things seem to be on the right track. I don’t know if you have ever driven a Capri, but let me tell you something, being too hard on the throttle would make the car drift and smoke would come out of the rear tires. If you are too hard on the new Capri, well, you will definitely feel the G force violently pushing you to the seat, but, there is always a “but”, the plans for the new Capri is to make it FWD. On the one hand this is what car manufacturers tend to do nowadays, but on the other, can you imagine a FWD Mustang or Camaro? This is not how a legend is brought back to life.

    So this car is expected to cost some $30 000. Is it worth it? Yes and no to be honest. It is indeed a well shaped car with a lot of sports elements on the body, turbocharged engine and the Capri badge in the back. Which is in my opinion its greatest drawback? No 6 cylinders, no RWD fun, no Capri. You cannot put a “chocolate” badge on cereal and convince your kid it’s made of cocoa, can you?

    Capri MkII
    Ford Capri MkII

  • A True Professional – The Ford Capri At Forty

    The Ford car designed for the young at heart is refusing to grow old gracefully as the Ford Capri celebrates its 40th anniversary.

    Although production ended in 1986, Capri lives on within many owners’ clubs who will be celebrating the anniversary with events planned from Scotland to the South West. Fans are getting together at Castle Combe, Wiltshire (6 June), Grampian Transport Museum, Alford, Aberdeenshire (30 August), Ace Café in London (5 September) and Brooklands Museum, Surrey (26 September). (more…)

  • Ford Model T And Capri Race Again At Le Mans

    Two unique and specially restored Ford race cars will return to the famous Le Mans 24 Hours circuit for the 2008 Le Mans Classic between July 11 and 13.
    After painstaking restorations, the two cars, a 1923 Model T Montier and a 1973 Ford Capri RS2600, are taking to the track to compete again at the iconic Sarthe circuit under the ‘Ecurie Ford France’ banner. (more…)