Are electric cars ruining famous car names or saving them? The arrival of the new Ford Capri, Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning upset the purists | Opinion

As William Shakespeare famously wrote: ‘What’s in a name? Would a Ford Mustang with an electric motor still be a Ford Mustang?’

I may have not quoted Mr Shakespeare with total accuracy but the recent unveiling of the all-new, all-electric Ford Capri got me thinking about the great EV name debate. That’s because the reveal of the Capri brought out the inevitable fans of the original Ford Capri fastback, particularly in the UK, where the coupe was an icon on par with how Australian’s view the Holden Torana.

It’s understandable they’d be upset that this modern version of the Capri has nothing in common at all with the original, with the new one being both electric and a five-door SUV, but they shouldn’t be surprised. This is Ford’s tactic with EVs - build new all-new models and give them famous nameplates. The Ford Capri joins the Mustang Mach-E, Explorer, F-150 Lightning and E-Transit.

It’s not just the Blue Oval that’s using this method. We’ve already seen the Fiat 500e, Renault Megane E-Tech and Chevrolet Silverado EV, with an electric version of the Corvette already confirmed and the Camaro badge expected to make the EV switch too.

For many of you I’m sure some (or all) of those names are distressing to hear, but personally, I like this trend.

Why? Because governments around the world have forced the car industry down a path of electrification before most of us are really ready for it. This change has been thrust upon both the industry and the consumers and so the car makers are doing what they’ve always done - try to make vehicles that are as appealing as possible.

Does a huge American pickup truck powered by electric motors make sense? Not really, but Ford and Chevrolet are trying to meet the market where it is. And, in Chevrolet’s defence, it tried to make a small, economical EV (the Bolt) and Americans didn’t want it.

No, they want vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E, because it’s an SUV (which are all the rage) and it’s sporty (and who doesn’t love a sporty car?). This is what Ford Europe is trying to do, with the Mustang Mach-E sandwiched between the Capri and Explorer badges, making for a trio of famous nameplates on models customers are attracted to.

Using familiar and beloved names is a tried and tested tactic that car makers have deployed over the years on internal combustion engine models, so it’s not something unique to EVs anyway. Perhaps the best example I can give you is, well, the Ford Capri. Anyone who remembers the early 1990s convertible will not likely have too many fond memories, so it’s not like the Capri badge is sacred. 

But that’s not the biggest reason I’m supportive of this trend, particularly when it comes to models like the Mach-E and the upcoming electric Corvette. No, the main reason why myself, and any true petrolhead who loves the sound of V8 engines should embrace this trend is because these new electric versions are allowing the internal combustion engine versions to survive.

Throughout the development of the soon-to-launch seventh-generation Mustang rumours perpetuated that Ford was considering adding either a hybrid powertrain or even an all-electric option for the iconic coupe; and that, my friends, the world is simply not ready for. 

Instead, as Ford executives have explained to me since, they realised that by creating the Mach-E and calling it a ‘Mustang’ it gave the company breathing room within emissions legislation to continue with the 5.0-litre V8-powered GT and then add the more powerful Mustang Dark Horse as a bonus.

I’m sure a similar situation is true with the upcoming electric Corvette. It allows Chevrolet to appease any lawmakers or environmental advocates with an alternative option, while allowing the rest of the range to stick to its traditional V8 powerplant.

The reality is the automotive world is changing and whether you’re an EV evangelist or an ICE acolyte, the next decade and beyond will see the two concept coexist and car companies will continue to scour their past to find ways and names to make EVs more appealing as we go through this transition. And as long as that means it extends the lifespan of some of our favourite petrol-powered models, it’s a situation I’m willing to embrace.