The Ford Ka is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere. The name is officially pronounced as Ka ( /ˈkɑː/ , that is, like "car" in non-rhotic dialects of English) as can be heard in Ford's advertising. The current European version is produced in Tychy, Poland, while the one sold in Latin America is built in Brazil and Argentina. It has been produced since 1996 and entered its second generation in 2008.
First generation (1996–2008)
The car was introduced on September 11, 1996 as a small and low-cost addition to the Ford range. it was based on the Mark III Ford Fiesta platform, but with a radically different external design. Because the Mark IV Fiesta, launched a year earlier, featured a separate front sub-frame and larger suspension components, its platform was not suitable for a smaller vehicle. Ka therefore used the Mark III Fiesta platform, shortened to give reduced front and rear overhangs. The vehicle was manufactured on the existing Fiesta production line in Almussafes, Valencia, thus minimising new model investment costs for Ford. The Chief Program Engineer was Kevin O’Neill.
When the Ka was first introduced to the public it provoked mixed reactions due to its original and striking New Edge design, overseen by Jack Telnack and executed by Claude Lobo.
Besides the fresh styling, the Ka, like its sister cars Fiesta and Puma, was lauded in the motoring press for its nimble handling. Under Richard Parry-Jones's supervision, the suspension and steering settings allowed for spirited cornering and high levels of grip making it one of the best handling small cars.
At launch, Ka was produced as a single model, with a number of production options including air conditioning, power steering, height-adjustable driver’s seat, adjustable position rear seat with head restraints, passenger airbag, central locking and power windows. An anti-lock braking system option was added in January 1997.
The main drawback was the Ka's 1300 cc OHV four-cylinder Endura-E engine, a design dating back to the 1960s Kent engine used in the Ford Anglia. Although not very modern, it provided enough torque to allow relaxed if not spirited driving. In 2002, the Endura-E was replaced by the overhead cam Duratec engine, with claims of improved fuel efficiency and increased refinement, mostly caused by taller gearing on the non-air conditioned models.
All models had black plastic bumpers to minimise parking damage to paintwork in city conditions. They contained a stabiliser to prevent UV degradation and this made them unsuitable for painting because the paint would not adhere properly. However, it became clear that many owners wanted body-coloured bumpers so they were introduced in 1999 using different bumper mouldings (without the stabiliser) which can be identified by a light styling line over the rear bumper.
The Ka has proved highly profitable for Ford despite its low selling price, largely due to its low development costs.
Ka in the United Kingdom
Ka has been the best selling car in its class in the United Kingdom for a number of years and commands around a fifth of the city car market. The United Kingdom model range originally consisted of the base version, the Ka, and the higher specification Ka² which standardised a number of the options listed above. The Ka² badge was fitted by dealers. Ka³ was introduced later. Power steering was added to the specification of the basic Ka after the first year.
Concurrent with the introduction of body-coloured bumpers Ka² and Ka³ were replaced by Ka Collection and the LuxuryKa (later Ka Luxury).
The Luxury version came with a Quickclear heated windscreen, leather seats and interior trim as well as standard air conditioning. A 'Ka Blue' special edition was also launched in the UK with dark blue bumpers and a silvery-blue dashboard insert, rather than the standard models' silver. The Ka Sun Collection with a full-length fabric folding roof was also added to the range during the summer months.
A further line-up revision gave Ka the following trim levels in the United Kingdom: Studio, Style, Style Climate and Zetec Climate. SportKa was also added to the range (see below). With the car's impending replacement, in May 2008 a Finale special edition with distinguishing features was made available.
Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney is known to have owned a Ka.
Ka in Latin America (1997 – present)
In Latin America, the Ka received a facelift in 2003 and is now slightly different externally to the European model; the main noticeable difference is at the rear, with taller lights. The other differences from the European model are the very short manual gearbox and the lack of soundproofing, gradually removed each year since 2000 as a way to cut down costs, following what other Brazilian car makers previously did. It is powered by either a 94 hp (70 kW; 95 PS) Zetec Rocam 1.6 litre petrol engine or a 64.2 hp (48 kW; 65 PS) Zetec Rocam 1.0 litre petrol engine, both of which are four-cylinder units. 108,600 Kas have been sold in Brazil since July 2002, without counting the sales since 1997 (its launch in Brazil).
Ford presented the new Brazilian Ka on 14 December 14, 2007. Sales started on January 2, 2008 in Brazil, and the car will be exported to other markets in Latin America. The car has a longer rear overhang to accommodate a fifth passenger. With a length of 3835 mmm, it now fits in the subcompact car class.
Mexico
The Ford Ka was officially discontinued in Mexico in early January 2008 and it has also been announced that the new Brazilian Ka will not be offered in the Mexican market.
StreetKa and SportKa
In 2003 the Ka brand was diversified, with the addition of a new SportKa featuring a sporty body kit, wider track with stiffened suspension and redesigned 16" alloy wheels. Both models came with slightly widened bumpers front and rear with integral fog lamps. A convertible model called StreetKa also appeared, launched with the help of singer Kylie Minogue. In 2005 all Ka models including Sportka and Streetka received a slightly updated interior bringing the cabin back up to date while still retaining the look and feel of the original. Both Streetka and Sportka received a new 94 hp (70 kW) 1.6 litre 8-valve Duratec petrol engine, whereas Ka, Ka Collection and LuxuryKa retained the 1.3 litre Duratec petrol engine. The SportKa was noted for its surprising advertising campaign, "The Ka's Evil Twin", denouncing the Ka's traditionally perceived "cute" design. StreetKa ceased to be officially on sale in late 2006.
A pink version was produced to promote the new Thunderbirds film. A pink StreetKa was supplied by Ford to the movie producer. The Thunderbird movie cars were unveiled in Birmingham Motor Show. The matching Streetka dress designed by Bruce Oldfield of Ford was later sold in an auction during London Fashion Week to raise money for Barnados.
Motorsport
A Ford KA rally championship was created in 1998. It has proved to be one of the most popular junior rally championships (Ford Ka Rally Cup) in Britain and Ireland. In 2007 Luke Pinder won the BRC Silverstone Tyre 1400 Championship in a Chris Birkbeck Ford KA.
Ford Ka Rally Car
Built by the Ford Motorsport (Ford TeamRS) works at Boreham, Essex, The Rally Ka was designed as an entry-level vehicle to compete in a one-make series as part of the British Mintex rally championship. The Ka Championship in 1997 with just four cars in the debut Granite City Rally event. In 1998 fifteen competitors undertook the Mintex challenge. Ford's Boreham airfield facility provides a complete build service for competitors wishing to rally Ka. Most of the parts supplied are concerned with strengthening the car for rallying. Uprated engine mounts and suspension bushes are all included, as is a front strut brace. Aluminium sump and fuel tank guards, OZ Rally wheels and a Safety Devices bolt-in roll cage are all either fitted by the Boreham works or supplied to individual teams. Performance-enhancing modifications are limited to the addition of a Rally spec engine control unit, camshaft and 4-into-2-into-1 extractor set attached to a free-flowing exhaust. This combination lifts power to 80 hp (60 kW), and to cope with it competitors are encouraged to fit the optional uprated drive shafts with larger CV joints. A limited-slip differential and heavier clutch plate are also available. A competition brake package consisting of Mintex pads gripping vented front brake rotors and stronger rear drums is homologated for Rally Ka. Replacing the original shock absorbers is a set of four remote-reservoir Proflex coil-over struts adjustable for compression and reb
Ford Sportka Commercial - Evil Ka Commercial
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Urban Legends Reference Pages: (SportKa)
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