The Ford Ka. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
ROADTEST FACTFILE
Car...Ford Ka
Model...1.2 Style+
mpg (comb cycle)...55.4mpg
CO2 emissions...119g/km
Price...£10,695 on the road
Loaned by Premier Ford, Newport
THE Ford Ka was always a car, in my opinion, which pushed the boundaries where design was concerned.
When it was first launched, there was nothing near it in terms of exterior and interior design.
Its unconventional shape took some getting used to alongside the sharper-angled cars of the last decade but thanks to its overwhelming popularity, it is one of the more common sights on the road today.
Now, as the world moves into a new decade, the good people of Ford have given the Ka a makeover. And once again, they have impressed.
I was told as I picked up a gorgeous example of the model, a Ka Style+ in an electrifying metallic blue, known as Dive, that I was guaranteed a good weekend.
And he was right. It was a lovely little car, not only to look at, but to drive.
Though the awful weather meant my first impressions were brief, my first thought was that it would definitely appeal to a wide range of drivers although it seemed mainly geared for the young and the fun-loving, owing to its cheeky design.
Getting into the motor was a treat. I really loved the look of the upholstery, in particular the funky off-white trim on the door handles, steering wheel, and around the controls.
After I got used to it, I found the position of the gear-stick really comfortable, although returning to my own car was interesting!
The highlight for me, however, was the drive itself. The car was practically super-glued to the road and I barely jolted as it confidently negotiated the current minefield of potholes on the Island’s roads, such was the smoothness of the suspension.
Steering was solid, the transition through the gears was smooth, and the braking system was very efficient — reacting quickly without being too sensitive. It also had an incredibly tight turning circle, perfect from getting out of awkward parking spaces.
In terms of interior space, there was plenty, although long-legged people sitting in the front may not leave much room for anyone in the rear seats. I noticed behind my husband’s seat that there was probably enough leg room for a young child to a teenager.
One feature I really liked, given the recent cold weather, was the heated rear and front windscreens, meaning drivers won’t have to spend quite so long de-icing or scraping before driving away.
Featuring air-conditioning as well, the Style+ makes every effort to ensure the driver, and its passengers, are warm and toasty in winter, and cool in summer.
On to the more technical statistics, the Ka is very fuel-efficient. In urban areas, it will give you 44.8mpg, with more than 60mpg in extra-urban areas, for a combined fuel efficiency of 55.4. For the environment, it emits 119 g/km in CO2.
Speedsters out there may like to know that it has a top speed of 99mph and does 0-60mph in 13.1 seconds.
But for the money-conscious out there, there is fantastic news, if you are quick. If this is the car for you, and you visit Premier Ford before February 28, you will be eligible for the £2,000 government scrappage scheme (it is one of the few cars still available under the scheme) and Premier Ford are covering the VAT increase too, giving even better value.
This means that, using the scrappage scheme you can get the Studio 1.2 model for £6,495.
And with all those savings, make sure you look into the plethora of little extras you can treat yourself to.
From Grand Prix stripes to rear parking sensors, scuff plates, child seat bases and even a first aid kit, there is everything, from the frivolous to the practical.
Basically, you can build your Ka to suit your life. Although for me, the Style+ fitted just perfectly.