Baby Ford revealed
FORD'S stunning new baby is taking its first steps: Auto Express has learned that the blue oval is readying a fresh global small car.
The newcomer which is set to be priced from 8,000 will seek to regain the charm and sporty drive of the original Ka. The current model was codeveloped with Fiat, and shares the 500's underpinnings. But while its Italian cousin has been a success, Ford's effort has been less so, as the firm has struggled to give the Ka a stylish look and make it drive as well as the rest of the range. Yet that is all set to change. This time around, the brand will produce a city car which lives up to the original.
Its cheap uggs styling will be based on that of the Californiadesigned Start concept, which debuted earlier this year at the Beijing Motor Show. Developing between 80bhp and 125bhp, but returning around 60mpg and with sub100g/km CO2 emissions, the unit will also be offered in the Fiesta, Focus and CMAX ranges.
The new Ka will be introduced first in the emerging markets of China, India and South America. But just like the new Focus which has 80 per cent of its parts in common no matter where it is being sold and in line with Ford boss Alan Mulally's OneFord mantra, black friday uggs it will remain broadly similar across the world.
However, equipment levels will be higher on European cars. Key to this will be the MyFord system, which allows the integration of smartphones with the car's dash. So, as well as controlling the aircon and satnav, you can stream music, play videos and take calls and control of all of these will be by voice or touchscreen. The car will have more personalisation options than ever before, too.
Ford offers exterior graphics and different trim colours with the current Ka, but the newcomer will feature a far more comprehensive set of options, ranging from vinyl wraps to colourcoded interior lighting, to ensure each example is unique.
Expect the new baby to go on sale in 2014.
I think after a while one would like the design of it. I tried out a Citroen DS3 turbo for 2 weeks and to start of with I was reluctant to open the door as the front looked like an ugly catfish (if catfish can be uglier than they already are) which resembled a smaller face of an ugly front Peug! But after awhile I liked it and I think this will be the same. Now all Ford need to do is the lifetime warranty that Vauxhall offer. Those alloys look like that little Lexus car, cant remember the name.