Ford Ka

Ford’s new Ka city car will get its global unveil at this year’s Paris Motor Show, finally laying the iconic original to rest after twelve years and 500,000 sales in the UK alone.

The Ka, which Ford has confirmed will begin production this autumn and be in showrooms by early 2009, will be available with two engines at launch: a 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol and a 74bhp 1.3-litre Duratorq diesel – the first oil burner to power a Ka since its birth in 1996.

Both engines will emit ‘less than 120g/km’ of CO2, according to Ford, and the diesel returns a highly impressive 67.3mpg combined. The 1.2-litre petrol, meanwhile, cuts fuel consumption by 21 percent over the outgoing Ka’s 1.3-litre unit.  

Available in two trim levels, Ambiente and Titanium, Ford promises the plusher new Ka will lack none of the outgoing car’s fun and driveability. Based on Fiat 500 underpinnings and built on the same Polish production line as the Italian city car, the new Ka has been tested at the famous Nurburgring circuit to make sure handling is pin sharp.

Equipment will be generous, with options including Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, multi-function steering wheel, automatic climate control, heated seats and a heated windscreen.