2016 Ford KA+
Ford’s newest entry-level city car gets more room, a new look, added technology and a starting price of just £8995
Ford has unveiled an all-new city car that goes on sale at the end of the year. Ka by name, KA+ by nature. The name change signifies a change in direction for the smallest blue oval car.
Departing its cute appearance and slight profile, the KA+ grows to offer class-leading interior space for five passengers with new storage solutions, while prices continue to start from £8995.
Based on Ford’s global small-car platform, it’s made of high-strength steel and is slightly shorter than its Fiesta supermini sibling at 3929mm but stands 29mm taller.
The front end gets Ford’s latest design philosophy with a trapezoidal grille and large swept-back headlamps. Giving the KA+ a more upmarket feel are body-coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors, while the twin-coloured rear bumper provides a rear diffuser look.
The KA+ comes with a 1.2-litre Duratec petrol engine offered in two power outputs, 69bhp and 84bhp, each of which gets a five-speed manual gearbox. Both variants return 56.5mpg and emit 114g/km of CO2.
The new model gets speed sensitive power steering, meaning the steering is lighter when parking and manoeuvring at lower speeds, perhaps around town, yet firms up and provides more feedback at higher speeds, like on a country road.
Available in four trim, starting with the entry-level Studio which gets electric windows and doors mirrors, Bluetooth, hill start assist, trip computer, immobiliser and an alarm.
Zetec trim adds 15in alloy wheels, air-conditioning, SYNC voice-activation, leather steering wheel, cruise control, heated front seats, armrest, rear parking sensors and privacy glass.
It also has a feature called MyKey. This allows owners to programme the car for younger drivers, so incoming calls can be stopped, a top speed can be implemented while driver assist functions cannot be turned off.
Special KA+ Zetec Black and White special editions are also available, featuring contrasting black (or white) body with a white (or black) roof and door mirrors. They get 15in alloy wheels and are available with only the more powerful engine, though.
Standard safety equipment includes six airbags, electronic stability control and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
MyFord Dock, located on the centre console provides mobile phone storage and charging, while a secret void at the end of the instrument panel, that is only accessible when the door is open, can be used to store valuables out of sight.
The KA+ arrives in November with prices ranging from £8,995 to £10,295, while insurance groups start at 1E rising to 5E.
