Resurecting the Capri in UK? Focus based Scirocco fighter, bet we won't see this.

Autoblog has a quick piece on the possible resurection of the Ford Capri (linked in title) and they referrence a UK publication Auto Express.  It's been over 20 years since the Capri was on the market, but it's not a tainted nameplate, the Capri was a European interpretation of the Pony car. But the new one won't be a pony car, or rear wheel drive.
Speculation is that it will be based on the next generation Focus.  With either of two EcoBoost Fours, 1.6 or 2.0 liters.  Well, if you needed to base it on any platform, you could do much worse than the Euro Focus.  It looks like FoMoCo has another revived classic in their sites.
They're gunning for the Not for US VW Scirocco. Based on the already proven VW Golf GTI.

And while I'd usually gripe that we're not getting this, I'll pass on the premium price of either as long as we can get a perfomance version of the already hot hatches they're based on. 

All this talk of cool little Ford couples has me jonesing for my Reflex fix! 

Ford UK not ready for their Clunker program, could delay hurt sales?

Read the story, linked in title, about Ford's problems with the UK's "Scrapage" program, their version of Cash for Clunkers. With vehicle sales down globally, many countries are starting their own version of this scheme. In the UK, it seems that Ford was negotiating and trying to get online with the program from day one, but with so many changes right up until the last minute they were caught out on day one of the program. From what I've read in 2 different articles, the program gives people a 2,ooo Pound incentive for trading in a car 10+ years old when they purchase a new more fuel efficient vehicle. Half of the incentive from the government and half from the manufacturer ( that's about $3,000 with $1,500 from Ford ) and the lag is that Ford needed to get new forms to 550 dealers to initiate the program. Ford's not crying about the money, it's just that with all the last minute wheeling and dealing they couldn't cross the t's and dot the i's on the paperwork quick enough. Fiat was rumored to be in the same boat, but they denied that was the case.

Patience my UK bretheren, FoMoCo is doing it's best to get their ducks in a row.
I wonder if this will initially hurt Ford sales? Doubtful in the long run, what's a 2-3 delay in buying a new car?

UPDATE: CarScoop has an interesting piece about the European sales as they relate to programs like this. And Ford's new Fiesta is doing very very well!

UK Fords that I'd love to own....

Ford has offered some fantastic cars here in the states over the years, but there have always been some forbiden fruit on the other side of the pond. Like the Ford RS 200. This insanely powerful street legal rally car. I saw online recently that one of these appears in the new Fast & Furious movie?

And while this was available in the US for a few years, I'd still love to be able to buy one of the rarer RS3000 or Tickford versions.

The Mk5 Fiesta, especially the ST version was another one that I've always envied. Even when the Fiesta does arrive here in the states, it's unlikely that we'll see an ST version. But with 150 hp this little car must be a blast!

And what about the Ford Puma ! Now this is a cool little car.

And for those Top Gear fans, this was their Car Of The Year in 2000 and there's a video on YouTube showing Tiff Needel tossing one around and shaking up Clarkson.

And another video, that I've posted in the past of Tiff giving stunt driving tips in one.

Maybe some day? One can dream, can't one.