Ford Ka
Manufacturer:	Ford Motor Company
Production:	1996 – present
Class:	subcompact car
Body Styles:	hatchback
Engines:	Ford Kent(Endura-E) Ford Duratec
Transmissions:	Ford IB5
Predecessor:	none
Successor:	(still in production)
Also known as:
Shares components with:	Ford Fiesta Mazda Demio Mazda Mazda2 Ford Focus Ford Puma
Similar models:	Renault Twingo Peugeot 107 Fiat Seicento
This article is part of the automobile series.

Ford Ka (pronounced "Ka" or "K.A.") is a subcompact car from Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere. The European market version is produced at Ford's Valencia plant in Southern Spain.

The car was introduced on September 11, 1996 as a small and low-cost follow-on to the Fiesta and Escort. The Ka is based on the same platform as the Fiesta, but with a radically different design. When the Ka was first introduced to the public it provoked mixed reactions due to its original and striking "new edge" ovoid design. The car sold well, and the model range was expanded with the higher specification Ka², and Ka³ (for the UK market).

Later on these models were given more appealing names: the Ka² was renamed Ka Collection and the Ka³ was renamed Ka Luxury (later LuxuryKa). The Luxury version came with practically unheard of refinements in this sector, including Quickclear heated windscreen, leather seats and standard air conditioning. There was also a Ka Sun Collection with a full length fabric folding roof.

Besides the styling the Ka, like its brethren Fiesta and Puma, was lauded for its nimble handling. Under Richard Parry-Jones' supervision, the suspension and steering settings allowed for spirited cornering not unlike the Mini. Like Renault's Twingo, the main drawback was the Ka's 1300 cc pushrod 4 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 based on the same block.

Other versions

In 2003 the Ka brand was diversified, with the addition of a new SportKa featuring a sporty body kit and a convertible called StreetKa, launched with the help of pop singer Kylie Minogue. Both of these came with a new 1.6L 8-valve Duratec engine producing . The StreetKa is sometimes dubbed as "the poor man's Audi TT" due to its resemblance to that car. However, the StreetKa will be phased out in 2006.

The Ka today

Nearly a decade on, the Ka continues to be one of the best selling vehicles in the competitive European sub-B segment market.

In Brazil, the Ka got a facelift in 2003 and is now slightly different externally and more aggressive than the European model. The main noticeable difference is on the rear, with new lights. The other difference from the European model is 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.

The current version has no soundproofing at all and is a very noisy car inside, although not as noisy as the ultra-low-budget Chevrolet Celta .

External links

• Official website
• Ka Online Community (with about 450 members as at February 2005)
• Fan Site
• KA Owners Klub of Great Britain