The Stillborn Ford Sports Car That Was Meant To Dethrone The Audi TT

When the Audi TT hit the market for the first time back in late 1998, it was a landmark car for its bold Bauhaus styling and for staying so faithful to the concept that preceded it. It was also praised for its performance, although early models did have an issue with aerodynamic stability that led to severe lift-off oversteer at speed. The solution was a trunk spoiler and some suspension tweaks, and once that was in place, the TT was wholly accepted as a good all-around little sports car.

Ford

Ford is one of America’s oldest automakers and one of the oldest in the world, popularized for being the first to effectively mass produce the automobile under Henry Ford with the Ford Model T. In over 120 years, Ford has become a sales leader in a variety of segments, with popular nameplates like the Ford F-150, Transit, and Mustang.

It was good enough to attract the attention of other automakers, Ford in particular. The little TT inspired Ford of Europe so much, it drew up plans for a TT competitor. The plan was known as « Project S272 » internally, and the Visos concept to the public. The Visos concept was also one of Ford’s many attempts to resurrect the Capri sportscar from the ’70s. The concept was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany, perhaps as a subtle, competitive nod to Audi. However, the Visos never saw the light of day, as multiple roadblocks stood in its path to mass production.

New Ford Capri Revival Is Another Mustang Mach-E Moment

Yet again, a once sacred name is being repurposed for a completely new role as an crossover. At least there’s up to 336 hp on tap.

We’ve dedicated this article to the Ford Project S272/Visos concept because of its relative obscurity, and its intent to take on the Audi TT, while also trying to revive the Capri nameplate.

Project S272 Had A Lot On Its Plate

Ford Project S272 Quick Points

Unveiled in 2003

Drawn in at the insistence of Ford of Europe’s president

Came about at a time when retro revivals were gaining popularity

Only one example produced

When Project S272 was conceived sometime in early 2002, the « retro-revival » design language was beginning to grip the worldwide automotive scene, especially in markets such as Europe and the US. Models such as the Chris Bangle-era BMW Z8 – itself a nod back to the BMW 507 – hit the market, along with others like the Ford Thunderbird revival and Volkswagen’s New Beetle. That’s how Ford of Europe president, Martin Leach, justified Ford’s need to revive the Capri namesake, something that had been attempted before.

Ford

Another contributor to Project S272’s birth was the introduction of the Audi TT which, by 2002, was quickly proving itself to be a hit. The market seemed ripe with nostalgia and a gap in Ford’s sports car lineup was the perfect spot for a Capri revival, or so Mr. Leach thought. The near-finished concept debuted at the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show bearing the name Visos. It wasn’t just a modern-looking Capri, because it was purposely styled to be an all-new design with retro-influenced styling cues peppered throughout.
What We Know About Project S272’s Inner Workings

We don’t know much about what might have gone on underneath Project S272’s skin. However, there are some clues as to how it would have handled itself out on the road. Back when the Visos concept was still hot in the news cycle, it was painted green and given to a few motoring publications to test drive. According to numerous folks who gave it a try, the Visos concept handled itself quite well during a bout of spirited driving, with some citing Project S272’s promising performance potential as a halo model for Ford. When it comes to how it performed compared to the Audi TT, we’re not sure.

Speculative Ford Visos Specifications

Engine

3.0L twin-turbo I6

Transmission

6-speed auto

Drivetrain

AWD

Horsepower

345 hp

Torque

295 lb-ft

The Visos concept shared a basic platform with the Ford Focus in order to make potential mass-production a lot easier. It also shared numerous parts with the Volvo C30, which also shared the Focus platform, as Ford owned the Swedish company from 1999 to 2010. As for its powerplant, Ford’s proposed powertrain consisted of some sort of twin-turbocharged engine boasting six cylinders and a power output of around 345 hp. All-wheel drive was also cited as a possibility. It sounds very much like the modular Volvo I6 engine and AWD S60/XC60 powertrain, in fact, but three years before it appeared in 2006.
What Happened To The Hopeful Audi TT Competitor?

As with many concept cars that don’t make it to production, cost was a major factor in the discontinuation of Project S272. However, other odds outside cost were stacked against the Visos concept. For one, Martin Leach, the project’s biggest supporter, left Ford just before the Visos concept was unveiled. For a concept car, the unveiling marks a crucial point in its life, as consumer reaction along with company-wide support make a big difference in whether a concept actually makes it to the factory floor.

Car Concepts And Tech Revealed At CES 2025

Another year and plenty of new interesting technology.

Interestingly, one of the Visos concept’s biggest enemies was its own badge. When interested buyers were surveyed about what the Visos concept should cost, most participants took $20k off of their pricing estimation simply due to the fact that it was a Ford and not a more luxurious or high-end brand. A $20,000 hit to its target starting price would render the Visos a massive loss of profit, meaning mass-producing it made no financial sense for Ford.
The Single Successful Capri Revival

When we say successful, we mean it’s the only Capri revival that actually ended up going into production. As for the new Ford Capri EV, the jury is still out regarding whether it’ll be successful in the market or not. Much like a few other automakers who also resurrected iconic nameplates for use on mass-market EVs, the Ford Capri EV takes a few styling cues from the classic Capri, such as its headlight and taillight shape.

As far as its powertrain is concerned, Ford currently offers a pair of options. At base level lies the Extended Range RWD grade, boasting a 77-kWh battery pack tethered to a single rear-mounted electric motor. The single motor is capable of producing 282 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque, along with a Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP)-estimated range of up to 390 miles.
Stepping up from base level gets you the Extended Range AWD model, which adds 2 kWh to its battery pack, along with another electric motor mounted on its front axle. Its power gets a boost, as well, with 335 horsepower but the same amount of torque. Ford is planning to release a cheaper Standard Range RWD model sometime this year. For any hopeful Capri EV owners in the US, sorry, but it’s currently only available over in Europe.

Sources: Ford, Ford of Europe, AutoDaily.co.au, AutoExporess.co.uk