TOWN PLANNING
By Line
A lot of emphasis is placed on the Ford's Ka's entry-level 1.2-litre petrol engine. Steve Walker sees if it's up to the job.
Ten Second Review
If you're after a citycar that's as adept on the open road as it is in its native urban environment, Ford's Ka is a fine choice. Even in entry-level 1.2-litre form, it has the wherewithal for the longer journeys that can be tiresome in town-focused rivals but it's still economical, manoeuvrable and trendy as any good citycar should be.
Background
A citycar was once a humble thing concerned mainly with giving owners a cheap and efficient way of getting about town. Nowadays we expect a whole lot more from the smallest cars on the market. We want innovation, zippy handling and vibrant design. The original Ford Ka was instrumental in raising expectations of what a citycar could do but can the current model carry the burden? A look at the strong selling 1.2-litre petrol model should reveal all.
There are tough tasks and then there's the one that faced the MK2 Ford Ka. Ford's city car offering was always going to be judged in comparison to its rival urban runabouts but the Ka also had a phenomenally successful predecessor to live up to. The real challenge was not even to eclipse the original Ka as it stood in its dotage. To be deemed a success, today's model needed to emulate the impact the first Ka had when it exploded on to the scene back in 1996 and embarked on its 12-year dynasty. That was always going to be a big ask but in the past, Ford has demonstrated a certain knack for rising to a challenge.
Driving Experience
The Ka relies heavily on its 1.2-litre petrol engine. It's the entry-level unit and in a market as cost-aware as the citycar sector, that's always going to make it a major seller. It's a relatively straightforward 1,242cc, four-cylinder, eight-valve petrol engine with maximums of 69bhp and 103Nm. That peak torque figure is achieved at 3,000rpm which is usefully low for a petrol engine but it still means that the 1.3-litre TDCi diesel comprehensively out-muscles it with 145Nm available all the way from 1,500 to 3,000rpm. Still, the 1.2 offers identical 0-60mph performance to the oil-burner at 13.1s and is only a single mile-per-hour shy when it comes to top speed with a 99mph maximum.
On the road, you'll notice the lack of low-down muscle compared to the diesel Ka but also the superior refinement of the petrol engine. It's quieter and what noise there is, is less gruff in tone. Most citycar buyers will find performance more than adequate and this entry-level Ka will feel considerably stronger than basic versions of rival products. The Ka isn't cheap but many of the more affordable alternatives campaign with smaller engines that aren't as competent at the Ka's when venturing onto the open road.
The Ka is well capable of undertaking motorway journeys without making you feel like a Yorkshire terrier in a greyhound race. It also has good cornering stability for a small car thanks in part to Ford's introduction of a rear anti-roll bar to brace the chassis that the Ka shares with Fiat's 500 and Panda models.
Design and Build
Along with the rest of the modern Ford range, the Ka employs what the manufacturer calls its 'Kinetic' design themes, including the trademark swept back headlamps and the trapezoidal front air-intake. There are elements carried over from the MK1 Ka around the rear end but from most angles, the effect is of a stunted Fiesta rather than an updated version of the groundbreaking original. Inside, The Ka sets the standard for build quality in citycars. The materials and switchgear are those of a far more expensive product. Ford has worked hard to create a funky cabin environment and while some elements such as the complex centre console layout are questionable, most of it has the desired effect. A wide range of trim options allows owners to make the Ka cabin as jazzy as they see fit.
Though there's only a three-door bodystyle on offer, there's an airy feel inside with an abundance of headroom for front seat occupants and space for a couple of six footers to occupy the rear without doing themselves a mischief. The array of storage options has been very well thought out with useful door pockets, numerous small cubbies and an unpromising glovebox flap that opens to reveal a prodigious area behind. The boot too is of a useful size for a citycar but 224 litres won't go that far after a major supermarket splurge. Fold the rear seats and 747 litres is opened up.
Market and Model
Most customers considering a Ford Ka will be drawn towards this 1.2-litre petrol model. The Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre TDCi diesel is great and probably a more rewarding drive most of the time but it's not superior by enough of a margin to justify the £1,000 premium on a £10,000 car. The 1.2 is also the only engine available in entry-level Studio and Edge trim levels so it's definitely the option for buyers looking to keep costs down. Those willing to spend a little more will have the sporty Zetec model and the range-topping Titanium to consider.
Ford dosen't battle it out with rivals on price as feircely as it once did, relying instead on the quality of its products to convince. It means there are citycars that can be had quite a bit cheaper than the Ka but few feel as well-rounded.
Cost of Ownership
As usual, the petrol versus diesel debate boils down to fuel economy and price. The 1.2-litre petrol Ka achieves 57.6mpg on the combined cycle while the diesel option gets 68.8mpg. It means that you'll need to do a lot of mileage in the diesel car to make back the £1,000 price premium Ford will charge you to get it. Emissions for the 1.2 are 115g/km which is closely matched to diesel's 109g/km so there won't be big tax savings with the oil burner. Both benefit from a clever Auto-Start-Stop system.
Summary
Some citycars take their urban remit to extremes, sacrificing cabin and boot space, performance and capability away from the city streets in order to become as nimble and fuel efficient as possible. Ford's Ka takes a more rounded approach and probably has more in common with larger superminis than the latest crop of tiny city runabouts. The 1.2-litre petrol version will be more cost effective than the diesel for most buyers and a hard car to beat if you're in the market for a truly multi-purpose citycar assuming you don't mind the three-door-only bodystyle.
The modern Ka isn't the design icon that the original proved to be but it's a stylish, well built and desirable small Ford. Even with this entry-level petrol engine installed, it feels more grown-up than the majority of citycars while still retaining the manoeuvrability and ease of use around town. The only major downside is that the prices reflect this all-round competence.
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A STREET KA NAMED DESIRE?
Introduction
Ford's original Ka revolutionised the small car market. So what of its successor? June Neary has been finding out.
Will It Suit Me?
Hence my love of Ford's original Ka, a distinctive face in a sea of faceless citycars. I was eager then to try its replacement, less daringly styled but on paper, much better suited to my likely needs.
Practicalities
Whichever Ka you choose, you'll be buying into one of the safest small cars on the road today, meeting all current and future safety legislation for front and side impacts. Packaging is another Ka strongpoint. You wouldn't believe the amount of oddment space and front legroom that the designers have crammed into the tiny cabin. The sheer size restrictions of a car shorter than the already compact Fiesta had to catch up with them somewhere however, and as you might imagine, a few sacrifices have mainly been made around the two sculpted seats in the rear, though not as many as in the first generation version of this car.
In fact, there's surprisingly generous interior space and comfortable accommodation for four adults and their belongings, though acceptable rear seat legroom will depend on the front seat passengers not resembling basketball players. The high seating position, carefully placed controls and excellent visibility should make this Ka easy to drive for owners of all ages.
Behind the Wheel
*Value for moneyIt's not quite as cheap as I expected: prices start at around £9,000. Buyers choose between four different trim levels - Studio, Edge, Zetec and Titanium - plus there are various option packs to consider. 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 six-speaker CD sound systems on offer and owners should have all the necessary equipment to keep passengers connected and entertained. Unique among vehicles in the small-car segment, this Ka also offers heated windscreen and heated seats, invaluable for safe and comfortable driving in cold winter conditions.
Value For Money
A citycar like this has to be both cheap to run and kind to the environment and of course, Ford loudly proclaims this Ka to be both. Of the two economical, low emission engines on offer, the vast majority of sales will be of the 1.2-litre 69PS Duratec petrol unit, which has cut fuel consumption by 21 per cent compared to the previous 1.3-litre Ka. With this in mind, it's hard to see too many Ka customers being able to cover mileages great enough to make the savings that would justify the premium being asked for the 1.3-litre 75 PS Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel. Still, the TDCi's combined fuel consumption figure of 67.2mpg is tempting and would be more so if Ford could better it with an ECOnetic version. Both petrol and diesel models are available with sub-120g/km CO2 emissions.
Could I Live With One?
The Ka deserves the success it is enjoying with young, free and single buyers and for me it would be a realistic option as a second car. Full marks to Ford for continuing to break the mould and bringing us a little car with a lot of spark.
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SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED
By Line
The second generation Ford Ka takes a less controversial route than the original version but it's still cute, plus with fuel-saving Start-Stop technology, it's also frugal too. Jonathan Crouch reports on the improved models.
Ten Second Review
Bigger but not too big, faster but not too fast, plusher but not too plush, Ford's Ka citycar treads a fine line in second generation guise. Fortunately, it has a huge bank of customers loyal from the first generation version to fall back on if all else fails. There's a more efficient petrol engine on offer, plus a diesel for the first time, both now fitted with eco-friendly Start-Stop technology.
Background
The Ka was a car that Ford was very hesitant to replace - and you can see why. This citycar has the highest loyalty levels of any product thanks to a 12 year production run for the first generation model and an iconic shape that if you loved, you really loved. Nearly one and a half million examples have been sold, half a million of those in the UK, where the car has been the citycar segment leader since 2000. The MK2 model doesn't really have its predecessor's love-it-or-hate-it Marmite appeal, but it's unquestionable a better car. Ford have developed it as a joint venture with Fiat, so this model rolls off the same production lines in Tychy, Poland as the more daringly-styled Fiat 500, sharing its engines and the same platform design.
Driving Experience
The original Ka was renowned for its go-kart like handling and its replacement has been designed to be just as fun and rewarding to drive, with what Ford claim are the most exciting driving dynamics of any small car. The company's chassis engineering experts have tuned the suspension, steering, and chassis with their usual meticulous attention to detail and final testing was conducted using a combination of public roads, proving grounds and race tracks - including the legendary Nurburgring in Germany.
During the engineering process, information was exchanged with the team developing the larger Fiesta, and certain components, such as the tyres, were jointly developed for both models. The 1.2-litre 69PS Duratec petrol engine is a huge improvement on the wheezy old petrol 1.3 used in the old Ka, while the 75PS 1.3-litre Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel is a good option for those likely to cover larger mileages. Both engines now meet Euro V emission levels and feature Auto-Start-Stop technology to cut the engine in traffic or when you're waiting at the lights. That's important in a city car where frequent stop-start motoring is the norm.
Design and Build
You might mistake this Ka as a shrunken version of the Fiesta supermini from the outside but inside, it's very much its own car - and much more avant garde, with what Ford like to call a 'kinetic' design philosophy. 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, Fiat 500 apart, is pretty unique in the citycar segment.
One thing that the old Ka wasn't was roomy and practical. The second generation car isn't huge of course (there's only so much you can do with a bodyshell this small) but it is a huge improvement. There's surprisingly generous interior space and comfortable accommodation for four adults and their belongings, though acceptable rear seat legroom will depend on the front seat passengers not resembling basketball players. The high seating position, carefully placed controls and excellent visibility should make this Ka easy to drive for owners of all ages.
And safety? Well, at the heart of the vehicle is a tough bodyshell, which has been developed to provide a strong, stable crash structure to protect passengers in case of an accident. This has been combined with an Intelligent Protection System (IPS), which integrates airbags, restraint systems and seating technologies to provide what Ford claims is a highly effective occupant safety system.
Market and Model
Buyers choose between four different trim levels - Studio, Edge, Zetec and Titanium - plus there are various option packs to consider. 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 six-speaker CD sound systems on offer and owners should have all the necessary equipment to keep passengers connected and entertained. Unique among vehicles in the small-car segment, this Ka also offers heated windscreen and heated seats, invaluable for safe and comfortable driving in cold winter conditions.
Cost of Ownership
A citycar like this has to be both cheap to run and kind to the environment and of course, Ford loudly proclaims this Ka to be both. The addition of the Auto-Stop-Start system has improved both fuel economy and CO2 emissions by 3% for both engines, the 1.2 litre Duratec petrol unit delivering a combined fuel consumption return of 57.6 mpg and averaging 115g/km of CO2, while the 1.3-litre TDCi diesel achieves an impressive 68.8 mpg by the same measure and CO2 emissions of only 109g/km. In order to help the driver to reduce the real world fuel consumption as far as possible, the Ka's instrument cluster also features a shift indicator light.
Summary
This Ka may not quite have the cheeky spirit of the original version but with fuel-saving Start-Stop technology now a standard feature, it does have all the tools necessary to retain Ford's leadership in the UK citycar segment. Some previous owners would doubtless have preferred it if this model, like its predecessor, had been more of its own car and less of a shrunken Fiesta. Yet, for many others, a shrunken, more affordable Fiesta with a dash of extra flair inside is exactly what they're looking for. Both however, may be satisfied as Ford gradually develops the Ka model range. It will be interesting to see what's in store.
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STREET KA-REDIBILITY
Introduction
Car manufacturers don't often hit the bull's-eye at the first attempt. The very nature of motorcars is that they're big and complex things, which invariably benefit from the process of incremental improvement that takes place throughout their lifecycles. Sometimes, it takes two or three generations for a vehicle to really mature into the definitive article. Unusually, Ford's original Ka city car looked a nailed-on winner from the moment it left the blocks. That was great for Ford but less of a boon for the second generation Ka we feature here. The weight of expectation was tangible at the time but with the dust long settled, does the Ka mk2 make sense as a used buy?
Models
Models Covered: 3dr hatch: (1.2 petrol, 1.3 TDCI diesel [Style, Style +, Studio, Edge, Zetec, Titanium)
History
The original Ford Ka may well be regarded as something of a design classic in years to come but it's important to remember that it had been on sale for twelve years when Ford finally saw fit to knock-up this replacement. The first car was no spring chicken by that stage, more of an octogenarian one with patchy plumage and a prosthetic wing. With the city car market taking off in response to rising environmental concerns and the cost of motoring, Ford needed to bolster its presence and did so late in 2008.
The second generation Ka arrived with quite a pedigree. Ford had teamed up with Fiat to share its citycar development costs and the Italian firm looked the perfect partner being a renowned small car manufacturer and purveyor of one of the best compact diesel engines around at the time. The Ka arrived riding on the same platform as the second generation Fiat Panda and the modern day incarnation of the Fiat 500. Both a 1.2-litre petrol engine and that Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre diesel were offered and trim levels ran from Style to Style+ and Zetec. Buyers were also presented with the opportunity to personalise their vehicles with a whole series of styling packs that included exterior graphics and interior colour schemes, not all of them in the best possible taste.
The trim level range was realigned in 2010 with Studio taking over as the entry-level option followed by Edge, Zetec and Titanium.
What You Get
The original Ka dropped jaws on a regular basis at the time of its launch. More impressive still, its shape endured the passage of time and still looks remarkably fresh today. Perhaps intelligently, Ford elected not to attempt a similar trick with this second generation model. It's a safer and more formulaic creation that employs the Kinetic design themes found across the Ford range in this era including the trademark swept back headlamps and the trapezoidal front air-intake.
There are elements carried over from the MK1 Ka around the rear end but from most angles, the effect is of a stunted Fiesta - pretty but with little that broke new ground. Inside, The Ka set the standard for build quality in city cars. The materials and switchgear feel like those of a far more expensive product. Ford also worked hard to create a funky cabin environment and while some elements such as the confusing centre console layout are questionable, most of it has the desired effect.
There's an airy feel inside with an abundance of headroom for front seat occupants and limited space for a couple of six footers to occupy the rear on short journeys without doing themselves a mischief. The array of storage options has been very well thought out with useful door pockets, numerous small cubbies and an unpromising glovebox flap that opens to reveal a prodigious area behind. The boot too is of a useful size for a citycar but 224 litres won't go that far after a major supermarket splurge. Fold the rear seats and 747 litres is opened up.
All Ka models have an MP3-compatible CD stereo with an AUX input, electric power steering with a wheel that's adjustable for height, ABS brakes and twin front airbags. The Zetec proved a popular choice and adds a raft of other items including 15" alloy wheels, front fog lights and other racy styling enhancements.
What You Pay
Originally opening at around £8,500 when new, the Ka can be obtained today at prices starting from around £7,000. That car will be a 58-plate Style model with the petrol engine. The Style + has air-conditioning and the quickclear heated windscreen which is fantastic in the winter months but costs around £600 more. The sporty Zetec comes in at another £300 on top of that. If you go for the diesel model, prices start at £8,500 on a 58-plate, rising to around £9,500 for a 59-plate Ka. Insurance ranges between groups 1 and 2, so overall running costs should put a smile on your face.
What to Look For
The Ka has thus far proved relatively reliable. The engines are tried and tested units that aren't in a particularly high state of tune. Check for parking knocks and scrapes as most Ka models will have been employed primarily for short trips around town.
Replacement Parts
(approx based on a Ka 1.2 Zetec) As you might expect, parts are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Front brake pads are around £30 a set and the rears £20, a replacement headlamp is close to £100 and a manual door mirror should be in the region of £50.
On the Road
Out on the road, the Ka forces you to remind yourself that it's a city car. It feels altogether more grown-up than most of its rivals. The chassis and suspension may be borrowed from Fiat but Ford undertook a programme of revisions designed to instil the sharp handling that the Blue Oval has come to stand for. Most significant amongst the changes is the introduction of a rear anti-roll bar that braces the chassis and improves stability when cornering.
The Ka certainly tackles twisty roads with genuine composure and there's enough grip to confirm that it could handle a far more powerful engine than either of the standard units on offer. By city car standards, ride quality is first rate and so is refinement, although wind noise is noticeable at higher speeds.
The Ka's diesel engine is a 1.3-litre common-rail unit with an output of 74bhp and a very linear power delivery that irons out any trace of turbo lag. It's perfectly possible to see how the diesel option could be preferred over the Ka's 1.2-litre petrol alternative but the extra cost put many buyers off and the diesel is less common on the used market. It's got extra muscle in the shape of 145Nm of torque that's produced from 1,500rpm, which makes for a relaxed drive with decent in-gear acceleration.
The diesel is noisier than the petrol but not too noisy if you forgo the upper reaches of the rev range. The petrol offers sharper responses to throttle inputs, however, and is more in tune with the nippy, vital feel that many buyers expect from a city car. The TDCi diesel's combined fuel consumption figure of 67.2mpg is tempting but you can still extract 55mpg from the petrol car which is hardly a disaster.
Overall
The second generation Ford Ka is unlikely to be remembered as fondly as the original but it is a better car in most respects. Although lacking the design innovation and some of the handling vibrancy that set the first Ka apart, this model offers superior comfort and sophistication. It's one of the very best city cars around and makes a solid used buy but might not tug on the heart strings as forcefully as some of the alternatives.
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