RE: SportKa Nonsense
Wednesday 4th September 2002
SportKa Nonsense
Ford to unveil Tart Ka in Paris
Discussion
So why does it look like its wearing a nappy?
Sorry guys there are lots of fun cars out there at the same insurance bracket which are a better choice. I've been in the Ka driven by friend and wouldn't say it was a basis for a "fun car". The cheap plastic dash and ancillories, uncomfortable seats (for long journeys) and overall finish on the car makes it very plain what it is. ie a shopping trolly. BTW its very good at this and I was impressed with the general driving (eg cornering and acceleration) bearing this in mind.
It is not and never will be a "sporty car", it wasn't designed to be that. The thoughts behind this are the same kind that believe if you slap a bean can exhaust, and a huge wing onto an escort it suddenly becomes a performance car.
If you want a cheap, fun small car then may I suggest a old-style mini cooper.
Sorry guys there are lots of fun cars out there at the same insurance bracket which are a better choice. I've been in the Ka driven by friend and wouldn't say it was a basis for a "fun car". The cheap plastic dash and ancillories, uncomfortable seats (for long journeys) and overall finish on the car makes it very plain what it is. ie a shopping trolly. BTW its very good at this and I was impressed with the general driving (eg cornering and acceleration) bearing this in mind.
It is not and never will be a "sporty car", it wasn't designed to be that. The thoughts behind this are the same kind that believe if you slap a bean can exhaust, and a huge wing onto an escort it suddenly becomes a performance car.
If you want a cheap, fun small car then may I suggest a old-style mini cooper.
With 90bhp and the suspension tweaks I would put this in direct comparison with the original XR2. While it was hardly a performance vehicle it was definitely quick and agile enough to qualify as sporty. I agree that Ford are spinning the whole thing up way beyond the reality of the situation but the basic premise is pretty sound (if a little misguided).
It should still prove to be big enough fun that (if it is anything like as secure as the other Ka's) it's going to be nicked by the dozed and driven around the rat runs of our cities until they pile into some stationary object.
It should still prove to be big enough fun that (if it is anything like as secure as the other Ka's) it's going to be nicked by the dozed and driven around the rat runs of our cities until they pile into some stationary object.
I think Ford have gone halfway here. Me and Mrs Spooky share a normal Ford Ka for 'normal' driving. It's economical, reliable etc. In fact, it does exactly what it says on the tin.
What they're trying to do with this StreetKa is stylize it and give it some extra oompf. Its 8-valve 90brake power isn't going to scare any "proper" sports cars, but it's not intended to. It's to attract people who'll be amazed and/or ignorant of the true performance of these figures. The article doesn't quote a price, but I heard approx. £11000.
I don't think Ford have lost the plot, but they should've gone produced something less half-hearted.
What they're trying to do with this StreetKa is stylize it and give it some extra oompf. Its 8-valve 90brake power isn't going to scare any "proper" sports cars, but it's not intended to. It's to attract people who'll be amazed and/or ignorant of the true performance of these figures. The article doesn't quote a price, but I heard approx. £11000.
I don't think Ford have lost the plot, but they should've gone produced something less half-hearted.
No, plot actually making sense...
...a low slung, not too heavy, aerodynamically sound car with 90 brake should bode well for repectable/fun performance.
Remember the most popular 'chimp chariot', can't beleive i just said that, of recent years -the Saxo VTR, has more than enough grunt (96PS)to get the young inexperienced masses into plenty of trouble.
The Street Ka will be quicker, and be one of the funkiest looking motors on the road. Absolutley perfect for hair dressers (and Jamsie hey Thrust?).
Spot on Ford. :-o
Mouse.
p.s. I still think frord are inspiration squashing scum, they obviously slipped up this time.
...a low slung, not too heavy, aerodynamically sound car with 90 brake should bode well for repectable/fun performance.
Remember the most popular 'chimp chariot', can't beleive i just said that, of recent years -the Saxo VTR, has more than enough grunt (96PS)to get the young inexperienced masses into plenty of trouble.
The Street Ka will be quicker, and be one of the funkiest looking motors on the road. Absolutley perfect for hair dressers (and Jamsie hey Thrust?).
Spot on Ford. :-o
Mouse.
p.s. I still think frord are inspiration squashing scum, they obviously slipped up this time.
quote:I can see the logic there. Here in Ireland, as I've mentioned before premiums are astronomical and rising. The average at the moment for anybody under 30 is around E4000 !!!
The Ka is very popular amongst youngsters with insurance problems.
I had to overcome this recently when I bought my 414i. I couldn't go bigger than a 1.4 as insurance would kill me, so I got the Rover. Not exactly TVR performance admitedly, but way better than any other 1.4s I test drove. Something to do with the K-Series perhaps ?Try driving one before you laugh. The handling is fun, steering has some feel, the shape is unsual compared to every other eurobox and the interior is distinctive. The quality is ok too - my wife did 35K miles in 3 years without a single problem in new Ka3. Good for short and long journeys etc. And it held its value ok when we sold it a couple of months ago too.
I agree that the marketing hype is a bit OTT but think about the audience and their expectations...
I agree that the marketing hype is a bit OTT but think about the audience and their expectations...
had a Ka while my Impreza Turbo was being repaired last year and loved every minute of it , all it lacked was a bit more go . think it looks great to , why the hell all the lads go for Novas and Corsas I can't imagine when they could have an infinitely better drive in a KA , but why has it taken so long ? typical Ford same reason it brings out hot Focuses (Foci?) a year before the new model is due
) "The 1.6 is actually a duratec lump (at last)."
I thought the Duratec 8v is just a badging exercise, both in 1.3 and 1.6 guise.
Is this engine not just a developed x-flow / endura-e, as previously stated?
The engine comes from SA, the same place that currently produces the 1.3 RoCam / SOHC found in the current Ka and in some models (certain markets) of the new Fiesta.
As stated before by someone else......why not just drop the 1.7 Puma engine in? reason - too expensive for a Ka.
.......or not the new 1.6 Sigma (100 PS) form the new Fiesta? reason - again cost.
The SA engine is cheap (in comparison to the other units) thats why the Ka gets it.
I thought the Duratec 8v is just a badging exercise, both in 1.3 and 1.6 guise.
Is this engine not just a developed x-flow / endura-e, as previously stated?
The engine comes from SA, the same place that currently produces the 1.3 RoCam / SOHC found in the current Ka and in some models (certain markets) of the new Fiesta.
As stated before by someone else......why not just drop the 1.7 Puma engine in? reason - too expensive for a Ka.
.......or not the new 1.6 Sigma (100 PS) form the new Fiesta? reason - again cost.
The SA engine is cheap (in comparison to the other units) thats why the Ka gets it.
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