Fiat has had its turn to bask in the glow of the desirable supermini spotlight with the 500. Now its Ford’s turn to strut its stuff in the same segment with its upcoming Ka – an unusual, but eagerly-awaited collaboration between the Blue oval and Fiat.
By Kyle Kock
With great international success, Fiat launched the new 500 last month. The from Turin has been met with praise from the motoring world – so much so that initial supply couldn’t keep up with demand. It seemed logical then, that Ford would turn to Fiat for help with the next generation Ka.
The next-generation Ka was initially going to be twinned with the next Fiesta and the Mazda2, but financial problems at the Blue Oval meant that a collaboration with Fiat was on the cards. According to the artist’s rendition, the new Ka will retain the curvy features of its predecessor such as distinctive rear overhangs and wheel-at-every-corner design, while bringing the look up to date with details such as elliptical, steeply angled headlights. The rendering also shows the Ka in a five-door configuration, although the next model is likely to retain its three-door layout.
Despite the strong influence of the Ford Iosis concept on the styling of the next generation Ka, (all new Fords will inherit this ‘kinetic’ design language) underneath that sheeting, the car is very much Fiat inspired. The new Ka will be built by Fiat in Tychy, Poland alongside its Fiat sister, the 500.Utilising a Fiat chassis, Fiat engines, even steering and brakes sourced in Turin makes the next-generation Ka a direct competitor to Fiat’s 500.
So if the Ka is built with Fiat engines, it makes sense for Ford to release an ST version with a 1,4-litre turbocharged engine, to take the battle to the streets with the 500 Abarth.
Much like the 500, the new Ka also opens the door for a number of variants. Among them are a compact roadster called the StreetKa twinned with the already-signed-off Fiat 500 roadster; a CityKa with an affordable hybrid drivetrain and even a FamilyKa with a roomier high-roof body, possibly sharing its underpinnings with the proposed 500 Giardiniera. Given the availability of Fiat 500 models in designer derivatives such as Prada and Bvlgari dress, the potential for personalizing Ford’s baby could be near-endless.
