Ford Ka
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Ford Ka<tr><td colspan=2> </tr>
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| Manufacturer: | Ford Motor Company<tr><th>Production:<td>1996- Present</tr><tr><th>Class:<td>City car</tr><tr><th>Engine:<td>Ford Kent(Endura-E) Ford Duratec</tr><tr><th>Transmission:<td>5-speed manual transmission</tr><tr><th>Similar:<td>Citroën C1 Fiat Seicento Fiat Nuova Panda Peugeot 107 Renault Twingo Toyota Aygo</tr> |
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Ford Ka (pronounced as "car") is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere. The European version is produced at Ford's Valencia plant in Southern Spain.
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[edit] History
The car was introduced on September 11, 1996 small and low-cost addition to the Ford range, following the enlargement of the Fiesta. The Ka is based on the same platform as the Mk IV Fiesta, but with a radically different external design. When the Ka was first introduced to the public it provoked mixed reactions due to its original and striking New Edge design, created by Jack Telnack.
The UK model range consisted of the standard version, the Ka, and the higher specification Ka2. The Ka3 was introduced later. Initially, all Kas were delivered as the standard model and upgraded to the higher variants at Ford dealerships, saving on production costs. However, this practice was dropped following the renaming of the Ka2 and Ka3 as the Ka Collection and the LuxuryKa (later Ka Luxury).
These offered colour-coded bumpers for the first time, although this lost the designer's original intention of the black plastic bumpers avoiding parking damage to paintwork in city conditions. The Luxury version came with a Quickclear heated windscreen, leather seats and interior trim as well as standard air conditioning and Ka Sun Collection with a full-length fabric folding roof was also added to the range during the summer months.
Besides the styling, the Ka, like its sister cars Fiesta and Puma, was lauded in the motoring press for its nimble handling. Under Richard Parry-Jones' supervision, the suspension and steering settings allowed for spirited cornering and high levels of grip making it one of the best handling cars of the current generation superminis, not unlike the original Mini. Like Renault's Twingo, the main drawback was the Ka's 1300 cc OHV 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, with claimed improved fuel efficiency and increased refinement, mostly caused by taller gearing on the non-air conditioned models.
The Ka has proved highly profitable for Ford despite its low selling price, largely due to the lack of spending required in its development. It has been the best selling car in its class in the United Kingdom for a number of years and commands around a 30% share of the mini-car market.
A revised line-up in the UK gives Ka the following trim levels: Studio, Style and Style Climate, Zetec and Zetec Climate, Ka Luxury and SportKa SE.
[edit] StreetKa and SportKa
Image:Ford StreetKa blue hr.jpg 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, launched with the help of pop 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 1.6 L 8-valve Duratec engine producing 95 hp whereas Ka, Ka Collection and LuxuryKa retained the 1.3 Endura E engine.
StreetKa ceased to be officially on sale in late 2006.
Meanwhile, the SportKa was noted for its surprising advertising campaign, "The Ka's Evil Twin", denouncing the Ka's traditionally-perceived 'cute' design.
In Latin America, the Ka received 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 taller 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 engine is a Zetec Rocam 1.6 L with 95 hp.
[edit] 2008 model
In 2008 the Ka will be replaced with a model car codeveloped with Fiat S.p.A using the Fiat Panda platform. [1] [2]. The new Ka will maintain the curvy features that made the original so appealing, while bringing the look up to date with details such as elliptical headlamps. It will be slightly larger than the original with an expected improvement to the standard kit, such as mp3 compatibility and low-cost sat nav. The new Ka will be available with both 1.4 & 1.6 petrol engines and additionally in a 1.4TDCi diesel. The new Ka will take its styling cues from the original, such as the distinctive rear overhangs and wheel at every corner design; therefore this modern interpretation will be instantly recognisable. Engineers are working hard to ensure this new Ka handles as well as the original along with further refinements for its release.
[edit] Problems
The Ka generally has a good reliability record.
However, taper-fit sparkplugs are notorious for rusting into the cylinder head. Frequently the head has to be removed and sent to a machine shop when the time comes to change the plugs. The simple solution to this problem is to remove and inspect the plugs at every service interval.
Many Endura-E owners complain of a chattering, rattling or tapping noise from the engine. This is often the tappets. With the tappets set to Ford's specification gap you can expect some noise but it should not be excessive. If the tappets require almost continuous adjustment or you're using Ford specifications and the engine is still excessively noisy (and often starts ticking) the most common problem is the camshaft. Early Endura-E engines are especially prone to this problem.
The plastic bumpers were clearly in part intended to prevent wheelarch rust, but instead the Ka is known to rust in the welds under the bonnet and tailgate and where the outer sills are shaped around the doors.
The idle control valve can become blocked, causing an instable idle and driving difficulties. The part may be replaced or carefully cleaned, ensuring the seal is kept.
The front suspension bushes may need to be replaced about every 3 years or 30,000 miles. A symptom of the bushes nearing replacement is a creaking noise from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps although this is a relatively inexpensive problem to correct.
Those models with solid front discs can suffer from overheating brakes in hilly terrain or given the car's agile handling, with spirted driving.
[edit] Trivia
According to the BBC TV's 'Top Gear' 'Cool Wall', the Ford Ka collects a 'Cool' rating while the StreetKa enjoys a 'Sub Zero' classification. [3]
For models with a digital odometer, it is possible to enter a test mode by holding down the trip-o-meter reset whilst starting the engine. In this mode, the odometer can reportedly display (amongst others): MPH, MPG, engine RPM, engine temperature, battery voltage, etc.
[edit] External links
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