Joining Ford’s small-car line-up alongside the Fiesta, the KA+ provides an attractive new alternative for buyers who want a stylish, well-equipped and high-quality small car at a price point starting at 11,500 euros.
The KA+ is based on Ford’s global small-car platform, and offers generous space for five people at an overall length of less than four metres. The KA+ is slightly shorter than the Fiesta, but 29mm taller, with an optimised package that provides class-leading front headroom and best-in-class legroom for rear passengers.
The KA+ provides outstanding every-day practicality with 270 litres of luggage space – enough to accommodate two large suitcases – plus 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and 21 stowage locations throughout the cabin for small items.
Stowage areas include MyFord Dock in the centre of the instrument panel that enables occupants to store, mount and charge mobile devices such as phones and navigation systems, and front door bins that can each hold a 1.0-litre bottle, a 0.6-litre bottle and a small umbrella. A hidden stowage bin within the end of the instrument panel is only accessible when the driver’s door is open, allowing valuables to be hidden out of sight.
Taking inspiration from Ford’s latest design language, the well-proportioned exterior features the distinctive high-mounted trapezoidal grille with large, swept-back headlamps. All KA+ models offer a smart, integrated finish with chrome detailing for the front grille, together with body-coloured bumpers, door handles and door mirrors.
The interior features an attractive grained finish on the instrument panel and hard-wearing, contemporary trim materials in a stylish dark charcoal colour scheme. Distinctive chrome accents are applied in tactile and highly visible areas such as the door release handles, centre console control knobs and air vents.
The KA+ features a simplified powertrain line-up based on a new 1.2-litre Duratec petrol engine. Available with a choice of 70PS and 85PS power outputs, the 1.2-litre engine is derived from the same family as the 1.25-litre engine in the Fiesta, and features twin-independent variable camshaft timing technology to enhance performance and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Combined with a standard five-speed manual transmission, the 1.2-litre engine has been tuned to deliver smooth and responsive performance, with a broad spread of torque that makes the car easy and fun to drive in both city motoring and on longer journeys.
Fuel efficiency has been enhanced using optimised calibration, low-friction engine oil and regenerative charging, which saves fuel by maintaining efficient charge levels in the vehicle battery by capturing ‘free’ electrical energy when drivers coast or brake.
Low rolling resistance tyres and enhanced aerodynamic details, such as an optimised front lower spoiler lip and grille openings, also contribute to improved efficiency. Both engine options achieve CO2 emissions of 114g/km, with combined fuel consumption of 5l/100km.
The KA+ features a unique chassis specification with specially developed features including the steering system, springs and dampers, front anti-roll bar, rear torsion beam axle and tyres, along with re-engineered front sub-frame and engine mounts.
The vehicle also has undergone an intensive development program to ensure improved comfort and refinement in typical European driving conditions, with a range of measures to minimise wind noise, road noise and powertrain noise levels.
The car underwent final tuning and development at Ford’s European proving ground in Lommel, Belgium, and during extensive test drives on European roads.
All KA+ models deliver a comprehensive standard specification including power front windows and door mirrors, front fog lamps, AM/FM radio with Bluetooth connectivity, remote central double locking with perimeter alarm, safety system with six airbags, Electronic Stability Control with Hill Start Assist, Deflation Detection System, Speed Limiter, and Ford Easy Fuel.
The car is available to order from this month with first deliveries across Europe later this year.
