Paris Preview: Ford releases more details on the new Ka
Click on the Ka for a high res gallery
As we approach next month's Paris Motor Show, Ford is releasing more details on its new baby, the second-generation Ka. We now know that it will be launched with a pair of engine options, one each running on gas and diesel. The gas engine will be a 1.2L 69 hp unit while the Ka gets a diesel for first time with a 1.3L unit that generates 75 hp. The gas engine reduces fuel consumption by 21 percent compared to 1.3L unit in the old Ka. The diesel goes even further getting a rating of 56 mpg (U.S.) and both powertrains get CO2 ratings under 120 g/km. Like other European Fords, the Ka has been tuned for good handling including spending some development at the Nurburgring amongst the ZR1s and GT-Rs. Production kicks off alongside the Fiat 500 this fall in Tychy, Poland. Unfortunately, it's unlikely we'll see it here in the U.S., but you never know. The Ford press release is after the jump.
Gallery: 2009 Ford Ka
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
- Replacing the iconic original, the all-new Ford Ka is stylish, modern and great fun to drive
- Expressive styling combines Ford's latest kinetic design language with the youthful and cheeky spirit of the original Ka
- Suspension, steering and chassis have been meticulously tuned by Ford engineering specialists to deliver the most exciting driving dynamics of any small car
- Efficient to run and environmentally friendly with two economical, low emission engines: 1.2-litre 69 PS Duratec petrol and the first Ka diesel – a
1.3-litre 75 PS Duratorq TDCi – delivering 67.2mpg - Both petrol and diesel models available with sub-120g/km CO2 emissions
- Available in the UK by late 2008/early 2009
Brentwood, Essex, September 8, 2008 - The exciting all-new Ford Ka makes its global debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. It replaces the iconic original Ka, which brought new levels of style and enjoyment to the small-car market when it was launched in 1996.
The all-new Ka retains all of the qualities which made the Ka brand so popular – compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality – but presents them in a fresh all-new package.
With its striking interior and exterior design, outstanding dynamics and unique character, the all-new Ford Ka sets a new standard for affordable small cars. Practical, safe, cheap to run, and friendly to the environment, this bold new model starts a new chapter of the Ka success story.
Production of the all-new Ford Ka commences in the autumn of 2008, and the vehicle will go on sale in the UK in late 2008/early 2009.
Stylish and fashionable
With the introduction of all-new Ka, Ford has extended its kinetic design language to the smallest car range.
The all-new vehicle has a stylish, fashionable appearance which combines Ford's latest design thinking with some of the youthful and cheeky spirit which made the original Ka so popular.
Designed for a young target audience who enjoy making a bold statement in their choice of car, the all-new Ka has the same compact proportions as its predecessor, but with a chunky and expressive style all of its own.
A number of visual cues from the outgoing car ensure that the new design is recognisably a Ka, yet it has the dynamic qualities which mark it out as a member of the kinetic design family.
Bold, colourful interior
The interior of the all-new Ka has a stylish, dynamic design, just like the exterior. The same kinetic design philosophy used to shape the body is applied inside the vehicle, ensuring that the fresh and modern character of the external design is matched by the interior style.
Bold contrasts and expressive colours have been deliberately chosen to reflect the more adventurous tastes of the typical Ka customer. These are combined with some imaginative design details to give the interior a fashionable and fun personality which is quite unique in the B-car segment.
The all-new Ka is practical too, with generous interior space and comfortable accommodation for four adults and their belongings. The high seating position, carefully placed controls and excellent visibility make the all-new Ka a pleasure to drive for drivers of all ages.
Exciting driving dynamics
The original Ka was renowned for its go-kart like handling, and the all-new Ka has been designed to be just as fun and rewarding to drive, with the most exciting driving dynamics of any small car.
Ford's own chassis engineering experts have tuned the suspension, steering, and chassis, with the same meticulous attention to detail which has made Ford a leader in vehicle dynamics.
Final testing was conducted using a combination of public roads, proving grounds and race tracks – including the legendary Nürburgring in Germany.
During the engineering process, information was exchanged with the team developing the all-new Fiesta, and certain components, such as the tyres, were jointly developed for both models.
Economical and environmentally friendly
The affordable all-new Ford Ka is designed to be both cheap to run and kind to the environment. It uses two economical, low emission engines: a 1.2-litre 69 PS Duratec petrol engine and, for the first time on Ka, a 1.3-litre 75 PS Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel.
Both petrol and diesel models are available with sub-120g/km CO2 emissions.
The 1.2-litre petrol model, which is expected to be the largest seller in the all-new range, has cut fuel consumption by 21 per cent compared to the previous 1.3-litre Ka.
The diesel model – available on the Ka for the first time – improves economy still further, achieving a combined fuel consumption of 67.2mpg.
Safe and secure
The all-new Ka may be a small vehicle, but it has been engineered to meet Ford's strict in-house safety design guidelines.
At the heart of the vehicle is the bodyshell, which has been developed to provide an incredibly strong, stable crash structure to protect passengers in case of an accident.
The bodyshell is combined with an Intelligent Protection System (IPS), which integrates airbags, restraint systems and seating technologies to provide a highly effective occupant safety system.
Ka choice
The all-new Ford Ka is available in four series –Studio, Style, Style + and Zetec – each offering a combination of value and equipment. Option packs are available to provide customers with maximum choice when specifying their vehicle.
Specify the Bluetooth-enabled Connectivity Kit, and the Ka comes equipped with Bluetooth® mobile phone connectivity, a USB port to play music files through the sound system and steering wheel controls.
Combine this with the superb six-speaker CD sound systems, and the all-new Ka provides all the necessary equipment to keep its passengers connected and entertained.
Unique among vehicles in the small-car segment, the all-new Ka also offers heated windscreen and heated seats, invaluable for safe and comfortable driving in cold winter conditions.
Development and production
The all-new Ford Ka has been developed as part of a common project with Fiat. The vehicle is produced at the modern Fiat manufacturing plant in Tychy, Poland, sharing the production line with the Fiat 500 model.
Ka history
The original Ford Ka was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1996. It was immediately acclaimed for its exciting "All-new Edge" styling and for bringing new levels of driving enjoyment to the class.
Sales soon took off across Europe, and the Ka gained the popularity which has stayed with it throughout its lifetime, with a total of over 1,460,000 vehicles produced. In the UK alone, the Ka has found 500,000 customers, and has been segment leader since 2000.
Derivatives, such as the exciting StreetKa and SportKa models expanded the Ka family, and helped to broaden and reinforce the model's appeal.
The Ka has inspired tremendous loyalty amongst its customers, with many owners coming back to the model time and time again. Based on Ford research, Ka customers have the highest customer brand loyalty of any Ford model.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 11:23AM (9/09/2008)
Yay!!
Another very nice candidate of an American car which American's cannot buy in our own country.
Not to worry.. they will probably decide to get it here 3 years late sans some features and with a dumb-ass engine choice that kills the mpg.
Then wonder why we don't seem to like euro cars....
Maybe because they never offer us euro cars... hmmmm...
Somewhere a US auto executive almost got a clue... and then it fizzled out again.
- mike
Reply
Hilary Green 11:39AM (9/09/2008)
exactly what I was going to say...first the fiesta and now this..the big 3 should just start digging their graves now.
Hilary Green
http://www.carsforgirls.com
warren sanford 12:42PM (9/09/2008)
We can't have it-because when it was designed...it was designed without considering OUR regulations for safety and emmissions-we were enamoured with f150s and excursions and Ford is myopic in it's product planning...the ka is essentially a Fiat anyway...so no big loss. I'm seeing Smart for2s all over Sacramento-the Tata Nano would fly here too-but Alan Mulluly thinks the explorer is an endangered species and intends to defend it-when what he needs to do is call an exterminator and kill it with a skillit.-pest control.
Reply
Charles S 2:00PM (9/09/2008)
Let's be realistic here: besides MINI, and few strong Japanese branding for sub-compacts, most small cars will not be profitable here in US.
Few in US are willing to pay $17k+ for fuel-sipping cars and rather pay more in gas to ride in land-tanks. The bloated Honda Civic of today is probably the best compromise most US consumers will tolerate.
On the flip side, no vendor would want to sell too many $13k micro-cars either. Toyota Yaris may be popular, but Toyota do not want to sell too many of those either.
I'd blame manufacturers for not having choices available, even if it'd be expensive. But then again, looking at still-borns like Audi A3 or Volvo C30, you'd understand that small cars are just kiss of death here in US.
Reply
Charles S 2:01PM (9/09/2008)
Let's be realistic here: besides MINI, and few strong Japanese branding for sub-compacts, most small cars will not be profitable here in US.
Few in US are willing to pay $17k+ for fuel-sipping cars and rather pay more in gas to ride in land-tanks. The bloated Honda Civic of today is probably the best compromise most US consumers will tolerate.
On the flip side, no vendor would want to sell too many $13k micro-cars either. Toyota Yaris may be popular, but Toyota do not want to sell too many of those either.
I'd blame manufacturers for not having choices available, even if it'd be expensive. But then again, looking at still-borns like Audi A3 or Volvo C30, you'd understand that small cars are just kiss of death here in US.
Reply
jungleFish 9:32PM (9/09/2008)
Hmmm...
Volvo c30: $24,000 base price
Audi a3: $27,000 base price
It's not the size of the cars that's making those a tough sell. It's the cost/size comparison.
I see a LOT of tiny new cars around here -- Chevy Aveo, Smart (not many, of course) LOTS of Minis, Yaris, Fit. ALL of these brands are quite successful. None of them are the cliche "American" car, but many are made (assembled) in America. The Ford Focus is another great example -- an American small car, very efficient, selling like hotcakes. If Ford was to bring over one of its Euro-centric lines, it would sell at least as well as the Smart or Mini, and even better if it was $15,000. I'd buy it.
"Besides /most small cars on the market/ most small cars won't be profitable." "Few are willing... " "probably the best compromise..." -- nice way to hide a weak argument behind your personal, unsupported assumptions. Next time you find yourself qualifying every statement you make, rethink your position.