The Ford Capri is to return to the road after receiving an electric makeover.

The 1970s classic, which became known as the "working man's Porsche", is expected to go on sale again next year with 300 horsepower and a £40,000 price tag.

The new electric version will have a range of up to 310 miles on a full charge and accelerate from 0 to 60mph in 6.4 seconds, according to the Sun.

It will also reportedly keep its traditional four headlights, with the added modern features of an interior touch screen and wireless phone charge.

A Ford spokesman said: “We don’t speculate on future product but Ford is on a mission to make electric iconic.”

The original Capri, which was popularised on shows such as Only Fools and Horses, sold 400,000 in its first two years and more than 1.8 million by the time production ceased in December 1986.

Ford marketed it as “the car you always promised yourself" when it was first unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show in 1969.  

The Mk1's most beloved features included its spotlights, Rostyle wheels, low gauges, rasping engine, bulging bonnet and sculptured “‘vents”’ ahead of the rear wheel arches.

Prices started at less than £900, though if you wanted one with half-sensible performance the 88bhp 1600GT was yours for about £1040 – a fusion, then, of style and relative affordability.

Ever since, the Capri has starred at motor shows across the world, celebrating its 50th birthday at the Silverstone Classic in 2019.

Among the celebrities today who still own Capris are Jamie Oliver, the chef, and the singer Harry Styles.

Oliver put his 1970 Ford Capri 3000GT on sale last year, with other buyers fetching £74,250 in recent years.

In addition to becoming popular on the UK’s by-ways, Capris also established a competitive foothold on the world’s racetracks.

Dieter Glemser and Jochen Mass won the European Touring Car Championship title in 1971 and ’72 respectively, at the wheel of their potent Capri RS2600s, and Klaus Ludwig clinched the 1981 Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft in one of German tuning company Zakspeed’s somewhat wild-looking ‘Capris’.

In the UK the Capri was a widely used – and successful – option in production saloon car racing, introduced in 1972, and a familiar sight in the mainstream British Saloon Car Championship from 1971 until 1982.

Gordon Spice, one of the most successful of all Capri racers as a five times BSCC class champion, previously recalled: “I have lots of happy memories of Capris because they were such easy cars to drive – they inspired so much confidence.

"The handling was predictable – and when you know what a car is going to do you can take bigger risks and go faster.”