BRAND NEW KA

Sunday Mirror, Aug 3, 2008 by QUENTIN WILLSON

I'VE long been an admirer of the Ford Ka and have owned a score in my time. Back in 1996, we chuckled at its Darth Vader helmet looks, dubbing it the little teapot.

Twelve years and 1.4million Kas later, it has proved to be a sturdy, sweet-handling, capable and classless town toddler. And the new Ka, previewed this week, looks just as cute. The iconic silhouette remains the same, but Ford's kinetic design cues include more distinctive lamps, side creases and wheel arches, plus a more dramatic front and rear treatment.

Looking a lot like the new Fiesta from the front but unmistakably Ka from behind, the Blue Oval's pertlyproportioned baby shares its platform with the Fiat 500, but Ford have wisely retained the basic architecture, adding a chic interior with two-tone seats, dominant faux aluminium centre console and higher trim quality.

Initially, engines are likely to range from 1.2 and 1.4 petrol to a Fiat-sourced 1.3 Multijet diesel, but don't be surprised when a 70- 80mpg Econetic version hits the streets.

There's also talk of a 900cc two-pot turbo, which would be good for less than 100g/km CO2. The charismatic new Ka is due to be unveiled at the Paris Show in October and you can expect prices of pounds 7,000 to pounds 9,000 when the first cars roll off the line from Fiat's factory in Tychy, Poland, next year.

If you can't wait, remember there'll be loads of serious deals on run-out Kas, maybe as low as pounds 4,500.

Ford Kas make blindingly good used motors and there are scores about at seriously sensible money.

Two minutes on the Auto Trader website turned up a privately- owned 2001 Y-plater with 59,000 miles, eight months MoT and history - all for just pounds 995. With insurance group two, 45mpg, pounds 70 servicing, pounds 55 road tax and mend-it-yourself simplicity, it's the ultimate car for the Credit Crunch.