Officially Official: Ford debuts all-new Ka
by John Neff on Aug 1st 2008 at 10:29AM 
Click above to view high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Ka
Sure, you've these pics before (though not in high-res), but Ford has now officially revealed its all-new Ka that will be the automaker's big debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October this year. Unfortunately, they neglected to release any details about the car, instead throwing out a bunch adjectives like "fresh, funky and fun" and "fashionable, modern" and "youthful and cheeky". None of those confirm what engines will be offered or what kind of fuel economy the car achieves. We do know the Ka will share its underpinnings with the Fiat 500 and be built in the same factory in Poland, so it would be safe to assume that Ford's "cheeky" hatch will use similarly high quality materials and be built tight as a drum, as well. Engine choices are presumed to be 1.4L and 1.6L petrol powerplants and a 1.6L diesel, and a hot ST version using the 500's turbo 1.4L is rumored to be arriving later.
Thanks to the high-res images in the gallery below, we can now inspect the Ka's design inside and out. Its cockpit is very unique, with a number of different textures and contrasting colors to keep it "fresh, funky and fun." Our one worry is how far up the center console the radio has been placed. With those eency-weency buttons, it could be difficult to operate on the move. The exterior is defined by Ford of Europe's now familiar 'Kinetic Design' language, and suits the tiny three-door well. Its proportioned so that the tiny wheels aren't totally overcome by the car's visual mass, and the big headlights that dominate the front fenders in conjunction with the blacked out grille give the Ka an expressive face. Would you say the Ka's a winner, or more importantly, would you consider purchasing it if Ford chose to sell it in the U.S. one day?
Gallery: 2009 Ford Ka
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE
FRESH, FUNKY AND FUN – INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW FORD KA
- Paris Show debut for all-new Ford Ka
- Bold, fashionable and stylish design
- Full of youthful and cheeky Ka spirit
- Exciting successor to the iconic original
The all-new Ford Ka brings new levels of style and enjoyment to affordable city cars.
Twelve years after the original Ka was launched to great acclaim, its successor captures the same youthful and cheeky spirit. The new model retains all of the qualities which made the Ka so popular – its compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality – but presents them in a fresh new package.
Stylish Inside and Out
Ford designers have given the new Ka a fashionable, modern appearance based around the company's 'kinetic design' form language. A number of visual cues provide a connection to the original Ka, but with its distinctive face and chunky proportions the new model has its own unique character.
The interior of the new Ka also has a stylish, dynamic design, combining bold contrasts and expressive colours which reflect the more adventurous tastes of the typical Ka buyer.
Rebirth of a Design Icon
The new model is destined to continue the considerable success of the original Ford Ka, which is widely considered to be an automotive design icon. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1996, the Ka was immediately praised for its exciting "New Edge" styling and class-leading driving dynamics.
Throughout its 12-year life the Ka has remained tremendously popular among small-car buyers, inspiring fierce loyalty from its owners. In total, Ka production has exceeded 1.4 million vehicles.
"We are very excited about the launch of the new Ka", said Roelant de Waard, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford of Britain. "The original has been a huge hit in the UK with a sales record of over 480,000 – 80 per cent of which have been to retail customers, and many of those first-time buyers. I'm confident that the latest design will prove just as big a hit", he added.
Further information on the new Ford Ka range will be released in time for the Paris Motor Show in early October 2008.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Vintage 10:38AM (8/01/2008)
Sweet. We need more small, fun to drive cars. And less SUVs and hybrids.
Think CRX.
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zamafir 10:40AM (8/01/2008)
looks very good, i'd hit it were it here in north america with a diesel.
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rwcmick 10:43AM (8/01/2008)
I think I'd opt for a Fiesta, but let me ask everybody this. Any chance that Ford left out the 3 door Fiesta in the U.S. to make room for the Ka to slot in beneath should the need arise?
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keith.reusch 11:10AM (8/01/2008)
Actually Ford is bringing the 3 door fiesta here...we getting a sedan and 3 door and a 5 door. Who knows if we'd get a Ka, all depends on how the fiesta does in the market and if the demand for small cars keep going up.
rwcmick 11:15AM (8/01/2008)
I don't know about that. If you check out Ford's transformation plan, it states
"New European Ford Fiesta, in both four- and five-door versions, in early 2010"
geo.stewart 10:54AM (8/01/2008)
if it were in the US, Ford would use a cheaper interior so I would withhold judgement.
As is, definitely a contender.
From this angle, much less Yaris so previous comparisons are due to the angle of the shot and Ford's choice to use the 'Yaris' color as opposed to their Verve Red.
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rwcmick 11:23AM (8/01/2008)
I spoke with Ford recently about rumors that Euro products would get de-contentented interiors in the U.S. and while they didn't want to talk specifics about future prodcuts, they gave me the impression that U.S. products will not get cheapers plastics, etc. "If it's not the same part number, then it's not part sharing" is one such quote.
http://allcarsallthetime.blogspot.com/2008/07/plastic-fantastic-acatt-chats-with-ford.html
Nicres 10:59AM (8/01/2008)
Looks a lot like the Vauxhall Corsa- but I have to admit it is cute. Not mad keen on the interior though..
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CalGuy 11:08AM (8/01/2008)
Nice. Inoffensive. Headlights are very Amy Winehouse (dare say, the booty is definitely not).
BUT it's lost all the visual individuality the former Ka had. This could be a Peugeot, Seat, Hyundai, Opel easily if you switched the badges. Oddly, Ford's kinetic design language is looking a bit common.
Does this design language have only a small vocabulary?
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User 5:25PM (8/01/2008)
LOL
When I read you comment I was like, "They look Amy Winehouse? How?"
... I totally see what you're talking about.
Torrent 12:19AM (8/04/2008)
Amy Winehouse.... PERFECT TERM!!
Now only if tuners smoke the headlights black, will it be the true look.
Not really feelin the back, or the no-grill-look.
MemphisNET 11:06AM (8/01/2008)
I'd rather have the Verve/Fiesta hatch, but yes - this is a very slick entry. Make mine a diesel, and I'll leave the Magnum for family trips and hauling.
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2007RC46SP2 11:08AM (8/01/2008)
sport ka with about 160hp!
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geo.stewart 2:45PM (8/01/2008)
I would love the old sport ka, or current Sport Ka. Love the commercials -beats the heck out the 'Fast' thing that VW? had.
Drkknight614 11:12AM (8/01/2008)
Actually Ford is bringing the 3 door fiesta here...we getting a sedan
and 3 door and a 5 door. Who knows if we'd get a Ka, all depends on
how the fiesta does in the market and if the demand for small cars
keep going up.
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keith.reusch 11:12AM (8/01/2008)
Actually Ford is bringing the 3 door fiesta here...we getting a sedan
and 3 door and a 5 door. Who knows if we'd get a Ka, all depends on
how the fiesta does in the market and if the demand for small cars
keep going up.
Reply
dan spalinger 11:31AM (8/01/2008)
Yes, I'd purchase one...in fact I'd purchase one right now...the Toyota Yaris...
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nardvark 11:34AM (8/01/2008)
I'm a tad over 6' tall, so I'm not sure I could fit in without feeling claustrophobic. We own a Focus, and it's great for taller drivers, so I'm not against small cars in general. I don't think I could get over the psychological hurdle of getting in a car this small. Fiesta, maybe, Ka, probably not.
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Mattias 12:00PM (8/01/2008)
I am about 6' 3" and I do not have any problems folding myself into the original Fiat Cinquecento. So I guess 6' won't be a problem in the Nouvo Cinquecento or Ka.
Of course there are cars better suited for taller drivers like the Smart Fortwo (really!) or the Peugeot 1007 (a very tall shrinked microvan with two sliding doors -- great for hot summers).
Ted Umland 12:04PM (8/01/2008)
These small cars look good in pictures, but when it comes to reality this is pretty small. When I look at this interior picture it looks as though 2 people would be sitting on top of each other! I am ALL for good mileage but I dont think most Americans really want anything much smaller than something like the Mazda3. And these small cars never have center arm rests! UGH!
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