And with a package that Ford says will provide class-leading front headroom and best-in-class legroom for rear passengers, it’s an appreciably more spacious vehicle than the Ka that made such an impact back in the 1990s.
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It accommodates four adults and 270 litres of luggage, but it is pretty old school, with 15-inch wheels and rear drum brakes.
The Ka+ is slightly shorter than the Fiesta, but 29 millimetres taller, with an optimised interior that offers space for five people at an overall length of less than 4 metres.
Since previous year, the new Ford Ka+ has been built and sold in India, where it is marketed as the Ford Figo.
“The 1.0-litre EcoBoost was a game-changer, and despite others following our lead, it remains the undisputed benchmark in its class five years on”, said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. Buyers will also get 60:40 split-folding rear seats as standard.
Darren Palmer, Ford’s boss of B-car projects, believes the higher-output, £10,295 (Rs 10.13 lakh) Zetec will be the most popular model but points out that even the entry-level vehicle is well equipped. “It represents how we continue to innovate to bring our customers the mileage they need and the power they want in Asia Pacific with more EcoBoost engines across our growing product lineup”. It will be powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine, which is closely related to the 1.25-litre engine found in the Fiesta, but is cheaper to make. There’ll also be an ECO version of this auto, with low-resistance tyres and economy-biased gear ratios. We have no performance figures (all we know is 114g/km of Carbon dioxide and 56.5mpg), but take our word for it – the KA+ will not be quick.
Standard spec includes power front windows and door mirrors, front fog lamps, AM/FM radio with Bluetooth, remote central double locking, six airbags, ESC with Hill Start Assist, speed limiter and Ford Easy Fuel. The latter feature is a storage bin on top of the car’s dashboard which can be used to charge and mount smartphones, allowing drivers to use the phone’s navigation system while on the move.
The Ford Ka+ will go on sale later this month, although the entry-level Studio won’t be available until later in the year.
Move up a grade to Zetec and you get air-conditioning and the first-generation Ford SYNC infotainment system, which is controlled by a small colour screen on the dash.
The Ka+ is the third Ford model to carry the Ka badge, but it is quite different from the first two following a comprehensive change in Ford’s thinking about how to make money from small cars.
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There is also an extensive options list including electronic climate control, heated front seats, privacy glass and a City Pack combining rear parking sensors, power rear windows and power folding door mirrors.
