The one-off was presented to the former soccer player in a special ceremony at Ford France headquarters
- This Ford Capri one-off is a tribute to Eric Cantona, also known as “King Eric”.
- Cantona is widely considered one of the greatest Manchester United players.
- The former athlete is also known for kicking a spectator during an away game.
Eric Cantona, part soccer god, part walking headline, has never been one to shy away from making a scene. The man who once famously launched a “kung fu kick” into an opposing football fan’s chest after he hurled abuse at him, is now getting a tribute from Ford, in the form of a one-off electric Capri. And if that doesn’t scream “Cantona,” we’re not sure what does.
That said, we can’t help but wonder if it’s really a great idea for a company to celebrate a physical assault, no matter how legendary, even under the guise of a cheeky nod. But hey, who needs restraint when there’s branding to be done, right?
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Cantona, who teamed up with Ford to relaunch the Capri, is a football legend, widely hailed as one of the best to don Manchester United’s red, with four Premier League titles in five years to back up the claim. Not bad for a guy who could get as much attention for his temper as he did for his talent.
Beyond his undeniable talent on the field, “King Eric” is also remembered for his explosive attitude, which got him into some serious trouble in 1995. During an away match, he launched a kick – and a punch- at a fan from the opposing team. As a result, Cantona faced fines, community service, and a lengthy ban from the sport. But of course, he made his comeback, bagging more titles before retiring early in 1997 at the ripe age of 30.
As a nod to this high-profile incident, the headrests of the one-off Capri feature the outline of Cantona’s figure doing the infamous “kung fu kick”. Another bespoke feature is the polished Plexiglass insert on the center console with a backlit script that reads: “When a goat follows his hero in his car, it’s because the ruler on the racetrack returns. The Legend is back.”
The interior of the EV features the Feeltek Luxury Grain trim, contrasting with stripes, accents, and stitching in Signal Orange. The same color has been applied to the exterior, as a reference to the Mark III Capri from the 70s. The striking color is combined with black racing stripes and the number 7 on the profile, mirroring Cantona’s shirt number at Manchester United.
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Other standout features include a bespoke rear spoiler, 21-inch alloy wheels, a 3D crown badge on the D-pillars, and Cantona’s signature displayed on the front fenders, right next to the Ford Design logo. Underneath, however, it’s business as usual, as the one-off is based on the Capri RWD Extended Range trim, with no other changes to speak of.
The special Capri was crafted by a handpicked team of Ford designers, who no doubt spent a fair amount of time brainstorming with Cantona himself. The final product was then unveiled to the man of the hour in a special ceremony at Ford France’s headquarters
Ford Europe
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