Ford's SMALL CAR for India???

[1100D]

Spied: Ford Ka Only Visiting - Car News - Car and Driver June 2007

These guys are confused as to how does this car fit the US market, but looks like testing for this car is actually going on in North America. Clearly Mark V fiesta derivative.

[ac 427]

Originally Posted by RacingForIndia

Where the heck is the rear door. If this is what they intend to bring to India, then this will be the first car in the hatch back category atleast to feature such an arrangement. Will be enough to stand out from the rest of the competition.
Fords are known to be drivers cars, and if this one handles like its Sedan siblings, you never know what it might do to Fords sales in India.
Exciting times ahead.

actually not the first. . .there has been the hot selling Zen 'Carbon' two door.

[ac 427]

Originally Posted by v1p3r

Actually the first 2-door hatch was the Sipani Dolphin.

and i've also head they are tuned up to 150 bhp. i think i read it here only at team bhp

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Well, the car does look good; but what are small cars going to do with 150BHP under the hood?

[MaserQ]

Originally Posted by redcandle

Hey,

Ford is currently developing a small car for the BRIC(Brazil, Russia, India, China) nations. The spy pics are from Brazil of the new small car being tested. The car codenamed B402 is said to be placed between Ka and Fiesta in Brazil and a sedan version, codenamed B409, is also expected by 2008. This car could well be Ford's small car for India......

Some say this might be the new KA but this week's Auto Express has got the pictures of the new KA which looks different.

Thanks
redcandle

They look different dont they? The new Ford Ka would be too expensive to make to effectively take on the Santro/WagonR. In 5-door hatch form, maybe it could do the business against the next generation Indica and the Fiat Punto.

But if it is indeed true that Ford is building a BRIC specific car, I think they might go down the cost effective route of developing a 5-door hatch based on the previous Ford Ka platform. Reason says that the car would be engineered to accomodate various engines including the 1.4 TDCi. I second what swathyd said. Slotting that 1.4 TDCi in a small car has many advantages:

1. Economy of scale as Fiesta/Fusion will already be running the 1.4 TDCi.
2. The 1.4 TDCi is refined/frugal and conforms to the small car diesel engine norms.
3. All this means lower prices for us customers.

Thats not all. If reports in Auto Express UK are anything to go by, the new Ford Ka(for european makets) has been co-developed with Fiat (same platform as Fiat 500) AND there is a possibility of a certain 1.3 diesel unit finding its way into the Ka engine bay. I wonder if a sedan version is in development as well...? Read on...

Ford Ka | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

[1100D]

Originally Posted by MaserQ

Thats not all. If reports in Auto Express UK are anything to go by, the new Ford Ka(for european makets) has been co-developed with Fiat (same platform as Fiat 500) AND there is a possibility of a certain 1.3 diesel unit finding its way into the Ka engine bay. I wonder if a sedan version is in development as well...? Read on...

Ford Ka | Auto Express News | News | Auto Express

There is no news of engine sharing between Ford and Fiat because the 1.3 multijet was designed by Fiat in contract with GM (for Opel/Vauxhall) and Peugeot.

The existing Ka is a platform that spawned the Mark V Fiesta (which also gave rise to Ikon and Puma). So in essense our Ikon is based on internals of the current Ka.

[abhi1309]

The one in the camoflauge is a very boring looking car. The one besides looks similar to an Ikon overall

[Steeroid]

Originally Posted by iraghava

The KA is quite an old car now & I think it's due for replacement very soon in Europe.

The Ka's replacement is the new Ford Ka ST which is a co-development between Ford and Fiat.

The more famous name for the same car is the new Fiat 500. Look carefully at the 500 and you will see unmistakable Ford Ka lines on it, especially the rear.

[karanraheja]

Below is the New Ford Ka which will be showcased at the Paris Auto Show in October. Looks quite good.





Pic Source : The source of Auto news,spyshots,rumor,Auto show news — AUTOinCAR

[Thad E Ginathom]

It does look a bit like it got cross-bread with a Fiesta (the European Fiesta, hatchback), and it is a great shame that it has lost much of its unique look.

The Ka used to stand out from the crowd.

[thainogkok]

it's noting more than improve version of current ford fiesta hatchback.