Lignage je napisal/-a:Leta 2008 se nam obeta novi Ford Ka. To da bo razvit skupaj s Fiatom nam je verjetno že vsem več ali manj znano; platformo in motorje si bo namreč delil s Fiatovim modelom 500. Navkljub identični platformi pa naj bi se KA in 500 oblikovno močno razlikovala.

Štrubelj je napisal/-a:Prva verzija mi je še nekak sprejemljiva, tadruga je pa butasta... Ko škoda je

2008 Ford Ka

Small and with a Ford face, that must be a CGI of the new Ka. This small car joins one of the fastest growing segments in Europe fighting the infamous triplets (C1/107/Aygo), the new Twingo and the Fiat 500. The Fiat 500 will be a twin model of the Ka being both based in the same platform in a joint development and manufacturing program of Fiat and Ford. Incidentally, the European market and the small car segment seem to be popular for collaborations between different manufacturers... we have the PSA/Toyota job on the triplets and now the Fiat/Ford partnership for the Ka/500. A future trend for other market segments and manufacturers?... In any case the Ka will have a hard time in the market particularly considering the success of established players like the triplets and the supe-cute and iconic status that the Fiat 500 will have.

Small but perfectly formed... Ford’s brand new baby is really growing up! And Auto Express is the only magazine in the world to bring you an exclusive first look at the hotly anti­cipated city runabout.

This is the all-new Ka – and it’s set to reach showrooms in 12 months’ time. The next step in the dramatic overhaul of Ford’s line-up, it replaces one of the longest-running and most popular cars in the firm’s history.

The current Ka was originally launched in 1996, and is still selling strongly, but it has been outclassed by newer rivals such as the Toyota Aygo and Fiat’s retro-inspired 500.

So, the blue oval has joined forces with the Italian marque – and this is the result. The Ka shares the 500’s underpinnings, and its striking design takes Ford’s ‘kinetic’ theme to the next level.

As you can see, the newcomer looks to the future rather than the past. That’s because company bosses didn’t want to go down the same retro route as the 500. So although the wheel-at-each-corner design and steeply sloping tailgate remain intact, the car debuts a totally fresh shape.

As with the forthcoming replacement for the Fiesta – the Verve – the new Ka sports a trapezoidal lower grille, large headlamps and integral spotlights. These styling cues combine with a kicked-up C-pillar to provide a chunky yet cheeky and thoroughly modern look.

The Ka’s interior will be just as forward thinking as its exterior. Tak­ing inspiration from the Verve cabin, it will banish the outgoing Ka’s poor-quality layout to history, with a bold centre console and classy materials.

As the little Ford’s main customer base consists of young drivers, buyers can expect iPod connectivity as standard throughout the range, plus optional Bluetooth hands-free telephone technology. Low-cost satellite navigation systems are likely, too.

Thanks to a very slight increase in size, there will be more space inside, while improved sound insulation and ride comfort will ensure a significant step forward in terms of refinement on the move. And although the new Ka will share its major suspension components with the 500, engineers have been given enough freedom to inject the same level of fun into the newcomer as its predecessor. So the car will provide the kind of driver appeal you would expect from a Ford, with sharp steering, excellent agility and plenty of involvement.

For the first time, the Ka will also be available in diesel form. Its engine line-up will be identical to the 500’s, so cus­tomers will be able to choose a 75bhp 1.3-litre oil-burner, in addition to the 69bhp 1.2 and 100bhp 1.4-litre petrol powerplants.

Most variants should emit less than 120g/km of CO2. That puts them in road tax band B, so own­ers pay only £35 a year. An even greener 900cc two-cylinder turbo with stop-start technology is also expected.

Ford will give the new Ka its first public unveiling at the Paris Motor Show next September, in the shape of a pre-production concept. The fin­ished article will then make its world debut soon after, with the first cars due on sale here before the end of 2008. Prices won’t be much different from the current variant’s, so the range will start at around £7,500.