Ford KaWhen it was first launched back in 1996, the Ka caused a stir. Funky design and a name that to this day causes confusion in those trying to pronounce it, were just two of the qualities that endeared it to British buyers, and they’ve gone on being attracted to the car in reasonable numbers ever since.These days manufacturers are seeking to make economies wherever they can, and of course one area is in the underpinnings. It surely makes sense to combine forces with another manufacturer on areas of the car that your buyers are never even going to see. So this new Ka has been developed alongside the Fiat 500, with which it shares the basic platform, and indeed it’s built on the same Fiat production line in Poland. Power choice is for the time being pretty simple, just one of two engines (yes they’re Fiat too) but there are four trim levels – Studio, Style, Style+ and Zetec – so no shortage of combinations from which to choose.I tried the 1.2 petrol engine, which is likely to be the big seller. The main thing to mention here is that this engine uses 21% less fuel than the previous 1.3-litre Ka and delivers an official average of 55.4 mpg, which ain’t bad for a petrol motor. Perhaps more surprisingly, and bearing in mind the fact that this new Ka is a good deal heavier than the old one (70kg in the case of the petrol car), the 1.2 pulls well from low revs; I actually had it accelerating uphill without complaint in top gear from just 1000rpm. Naturally, if fuel economy is the major criterion on which you base the buying process, then the diesel is the best bet. Talking of which, like other manufacturers before them who have cast arithmetical rigour to one side, and indeed Fiat with their 500, Ford has elected to call the diesel engine a ‘1.3’ despite it actually being a 1.2 (1248cc).If you’ve got a long journey to make, the Ka cabin is a pleasant enough place to spend a few hours, and room in the back seat is better than a few cars of a class above; getting in there is also not too difficult if you pick the passenger side, where the front seat will easily slide forward. Boot space isn’t huge of course (224 litres), but folding the rear seat backs will enlarge it to a length of 122cm. Sill height might however be enough to dissuade you from trying to stow any really heavy items.Interior décor is modern and attractive, with air vents seemingly plucked from a star wars movie, and choice of colour to enable owners to personalise their car. The pearl white centre console is apparently inspired by ‘iconic modern design classics’, and I have to say it really does give the whole interior a noticeable and pleasing lift. You can choose from a new range of exterior colours, two interior colours plus a range of seat designs, and then add finishing touches like distinctive chrome trims outside and leather trims inside. More adventurous buyers can go for the ‘Individual’ packs which offer distinctive graphic exterior flourishes allied to striking interior finishes. I drove the Tattoo model, which is one whose graphics will be noticed at least as much as those on your skin; well Ford thinks so anyway. On the road you’d expect the little Ka to feel as manoeuvrable as a roller skate, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s obviously ideal as a town car, with good visibility all round and dimensions to fit into the parking spaces most cars will have to bypass, but surprisingly it’s also fairly refined at high speed. Ride is medium, not too soft or hard, and the handling up to Ford’s normal high standards. They make great play of the safety features on board, citing their Intelligent Protection System which integrates airbags, restraint systems and seating technologies to provide optimum protection for the occupants. Driver and passenger front airbags are standard fitments on all models while side and curtain airbags are available as options. ESP isn’t standard, but again can be chosen as an option.Ford’s new Ka is one you can’t help liking; it looks good and does everything a town car should, and it won’t be distressing to spend longer journeys in it. The basic model is equipped, well, basically, even lacking central locking, but further up-range there’s all you need, and a host of options if you really want to go to town.Size: 3.62 x 1.89m (inc mirrors)Engines: Petrol: 1.2 litre – 69PS Diesel: 1.3 litre – 75PSGearbox: 5-speed front driveBest consumption: Diesel – 67.3mpgPrice at May ’09: £7,995 – £10,595Full details of the Ka available on the manufacturer’s website: www.ford.co.ukPeter Cracknell – May 2009
Ford Ka
When it was first launched back in 1996, the Ka caused a
stir. Funky design and a name that to this day causes
confusion in those trying to pronounce it, were just two of
the qualities that endeared it to British buyers, and
they’ve gone on being attracted to the car in reasonable
numbers ever since.
These days manufacturers are seeking to make
economies wherever they can, and of course one area is
in the underpinnings. It surely makes sense to combine
forces with another manufacturer on areas of the car that
your buyers are never even going to see. So this new Ka
has been developed alongside the Fiat 500, with which it
shares the basic platform, and indeed it’s built on the
same Fiat production line in Poland. Power choice is for
the time being pretty
simple, just one of two
engines (yes they’re Fiat
too) but there are four trim
levels – Studio, Style,
Style+ and Zetec – so no
shortage of combinations
from which to choose.
I tried the 1.2 petrol
engine, which is likely to
be the big seller. The
main thing to mention
here is that this engine
uses 21% less fuel than
the previous 1.3-litre Ka
and delivers an official
average of 55.4 mpg,
which ain’t bad for a petrol
motor. Perhaps more
surprisingly, and bearing
in mind the fact that this new Ka is a good deal heavier
than the old one (70kg in the case of the petrol car), the
1.2 pulls well from low revs; I actually had it accelerating
uphill without complaint in top gear from just 1000rpm.
Naturally, if fuel economy is the major criterion on which
you base the buying process, then the diesel is the best
bet. Talking of which, like other manufacturers before
them who have cast arithmetical rigour to one side, and
indeed Fiat with their 500, Ford has elected to call the
diesel engine a ‘1.3’ despite it actually being a 1.2
(1248cc).
If you’ve got a long journey to make, the Ka cabin is a
pleasant enough place to spend a few hours, and room in
the back seat is better than a few cars of a class above;
getting in there is also not too difficult if you pick the
passenger side, where the front seat will easily slide
forward. Boot space isn’t huge of course (224 litres), but
folding the rear seat backs will enlarge it to a length of
122cm. Sill height might however be enough to dissuade
you from trying to stow any really heavy items.
Interior décor is modern and attractive, with air vents
seemingly plucked from a star wars movie, and choice of
colour to enable owners to personalise their car. The
pearl white centre console is apparently inspired by
‘iconic modern design classics’, and I have to say it really
does give the whole interior a noticeable and pleasing lift.
You can choose from a new range of exterior colours, two
interior colours plus a range of seat designs, and then
add finishing touches like distinctive chrome trims
outside and leather trims inside. More adventurous
buyers can go for the ‘Individual’ packs which offer
distinctive graphic exterior flourishes allied to striking
interior finishes. I drove the Tattoo model, which is one
whose graphics will be noticed at least as much as those
on your skin; well Ford thinks so anyway.
On the road you’d expect the little Ka to feel as
manoeuvrable as a roller skate, and it doesn’t
disappoint. It’s obviously ideal as a town car, with good
visibility all round and dimensions to fit into the parking
spaces most cars will have to bypass, but surprisingly
it’s also fairly refined at high speed. Ride is medium, not
too soft or hard, and the
handling up to Ford’s
normal high standards.
They make great play of
the safety features on
board, citing their
Intelligent Protection
System which integrates
airbags, restraint
systems and seating
technologies to provide
optimum protection for
the occupants. Driver
and passenger front
airbags are standard
fitments on all models
while side and curtain
airbags are available as
options. ESP isn’t
standard, but again can
be chosen as an option.
Ford’s new Ka is one you can’t help liking; it looks good
and does everything a town car should, and it won’t be
distressing to spend longer journeys in it. The basic
model is equipped, well, basically, even lacking central
locking, but further up-range there’s all you need, and a
host of options if you really want to go to town.
Size: 3.62 x 1.89m (inc mirrors)
Engines: Petrol: 1.2 litre – 69PS
Diesel: 1.3 litre – 75PS
Gearbox: 5-speed front drive
Best consumption: Diesel – 67.3mpg
Price at May ’09: £7,995 – £10,595
Full details of the Ka available on the manufacturer’s
website: www.ford.co.uk
Peter Cracknell – May 2009
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