European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 28, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse The sporty new Mercury Capri that goes on Sale next month in the United states is a a world car if Ever there was one. With 2 2 seating and front wheel drive the new capris International status goes like this built in Australia styled in Italy powered by a japanese drive train and tested and developed in the United states. Even the idea for the new Capri is International. It was sparked seven years ago in Germany when the a a Barchetta compact car made its debut in 1983 at the Frankfurt Auto show. Designed by the Ghia studios of Turin and based on the european Ford fiesta the Barchetta was proposed As an affordable two seater sports convertible for the european Market. Ford Asia Pacific automotive operations explored the feasibility of building the Barchetta for Export to Europe but the idea was rejected because of its complexity plus other commitments of Ford resources. It was also determined that costs were prohibitive at the Price for which Ford of Europe wanted to sell the car. But the Barchetta project was kept alive and More styling and design concepts were commissioned and carried out. To help pinpoint the desired concept ital design of Turin Italy was contracted to build a new show prototype for a research clinic in los Angeles in late 1984. Based on the australian Ford laser platform this car was larger than the Barchetta and it included a Small rear seat and larger trunk space. More designs followed and Ford North american automotive operations Mercury Capri is a world in Pymm or renin. H the Capri will be available in two series Normal engine and Turbo. Shown Here is the xr2 Turbo version. Eventually gave its support to the program in 1985. Plans to build the car in Australia were also finalized at that time. Things then began to jell quickly and the first Capri prototype was completed in 1987. It was the first of 55 prototypes and the first of More than 200 pre production vehicles. With the Capri name established Ford decided that the car would be sold through its Lincoln Mercury division with a projected annual volume of 30,000 units. Right hand drive models Are being sold now in Australia with volume there projected at about 10,000 units annually. If the australian Market can be used As an example the Capri should prove a popular car As it has been a big seller since its Down under debut last november. Produced at the Broadmeadows Assembly Plant outside of Melbourne the Mercury capris will be the first australian made cars in any volume to appear on the american Market. There Are two versions a the Standard Capri with a 1.6-liter, 4-Cylinder Multi valve engine of 100 horsepower base Price $12,588 and the performance oriented xr2 Turbo with the same engine but with turbocharging. This brings the horsepower rating up to 132 and the base Price to $15,522. A five Speed manual Gearbox is Standard and automatic is optional. The two door convertible Capri a Hardtop is optional is built on a 94.7-Inch wheelbase and seats four people. A few items Standard on both base and Turbo models include Power assist rack and Pinion steering Power disc brakes All around Power mirrors and windows a Driver Side airbag and am pm stereo radio. Ford says that a design developed by Ghia studios in Italy was selected for the capris exterior while another italian designer a ital design spa a created the Interior configuration. Both powertrain and Chassis were developed in conjunction with Ford s japanese partner Mazda. The new Capri Ford says is targeted to be the most affordable sports convertible in that Market Randy Barnett Auto columnist car Corner comment Lutz and the new Viper at last Falls Frankfurt Auto show a huge extravaganza viewed by More than a million people the High performance Chrysler Viper concept car was one of the major attractions. Before its Frankfurt arrival the Viper had been making the Auto show rounds in the states always enjoying enthusiastic response. But at the september show in Frankfurt there was still no decision on whether the Viper sports car would actually go into production or just remain a showpiece. At the time we asked Chrysler motors president Robert Lutz for his opinion. A the Viper is going to happen a Lutz he said. A you can count on so in one of our Auto show prs on this Page we quoted Lutz on he Viper saying that with Lutz a leading the charge a the Viper would indeed and it has winning approval or production last month. We be known the Swiss american executive since his Days at Bow and Ford 1 Cologne and aware of his penchant or last cars and motorcycles it was of ious that Lutz would play the leading in making the Viper become a re alias Chrysler corp. Chairman Lee a Pjeca is called the a a father of the Ford Fang it seems Only logical at this ase that Lutz will become a a father of a a w a Quot n a s x c c s in. % a Quot k s. V s s \ i the Low Slung Viper in an outdoor setting. The Viper concept car at last Falls Frankfurt Auto show. A amps the Dodge Viper. Along with Lutz texan Carroll Shelby has also played a big role. A former racer who produced the famous Shelby cobra when he was associated with Ford Shelby a longtime Chrysler design Consu Tant has been involved in the development and design of the Viper. The Chrysler corp. Says it will produce from 200 to 500 of the vipers by january of 1992. After that an eventual production of up to 5,000 units a year is projected. The Viper will be marketed by the Dodge division As a super prestige car similar in approach to Chevrolet a or 1and will be powered by a v-10 engine being developed for Dodge pickup trucks. There a a big difference in engines however with the vipers v-10 to turn out More than 400 horsepower. Chrysler motors Boss Lutz who served in the . Marine corps As a Jet fighter Pilot during the 1950s, also raced cars in sports car club of America Competition when military time off allowed. During an interview several years ago for a car Corner a he told us that his hobbies were driving fast cars and motorcycles. With that in mind it came As no Surprise to hear Lutz define the vipers a a approach last fall at the Frankfurt Auto show. Lutz said a this is what a real sports car is All about. No frills. Just sheer Power with the concentration on engine transmission and Chassis. It is not meant to be a sophisticated sports car a its meant to be an exciting Chrysler a Iacocca was also at Frankfurt and he described the Viper As a a traditional sports roadster like the cobra during the 1960s.�?� at the time Iacocca said Chrysler was not certain what engine it would use but that the Price of the car would be in the $35,000 Range. Although the Auto show car was strictly a concept vehicle Chrysler says the fibreglass bodied Viper will closely resemble the original concept a retaining the classic sensuous shape including the integrated Roll bar and Side the Viper version of the Chrysler v-10 engine to be cast from aluminium will be developed with the assistance of Lamborghini engineering a Chrysler subsidiary. A
