Test drive Ford KA 1997 - 2008 hatchback

Nimble small

We do not know how for anyone, but for us, a surprise of the past Moscow autumn was not a complete absence of cold weather and the snow accompanying them, but the appearance of this funny neat car in the capital. We could not imagine that within the Middle Russian Upland this year at least one Ford with an atypical name KA would ride this year. More recently, this car debuted at the Paris Motor Show. In Europe, she is still a curiosity. And then on you ...

 

The story of Ford KA is quite interesting. It is closely connected with the history of the competitor's car. In 1993, Volkswagen put up VW Concept I, a direct heir to the legendary beetle. It was stated that Concept Idem is to the conveyor as soon as the company is convinced of the popularity of the idea of \u200b\u200bcontinuing the kind of mass car of all time. Motle of VW around the world began surveying potential customers. Meanwhile, Ford began working in the same direction. But unlike Volkswagen Ford, a tradition was not connected here - except for Ford T, there was no such machine in the gamut of this company. When in 1994 in Geneva Ford presented his conceptual development for Ford KA: (precisely with a colon), experts almost unanimously noted the similarity of the concepts of show punishments from VW and Ford and did not seek success to the latter.

 

In theory, the serial Concept I was supposed to appear earlier. But Ford played ahead. Their machine was prepared for mass production at the factory of the Spanish branch without much noise. In addition, Ford had all the data of the VW marketing research on the second -generation beetle. The fact is that VW commercial services have repeatedly announced the results of public opinion polls in order to pre -warm interest in their car. The results of the polls convinced the car. If so, then there were no doubts for Ford experts about Ka - the main thing is to shoot Volkswagen earlier. And Ford shot. In October 1996, the public was already presented, built on the Ford Fiesta platform, a car. One of them just got to Moscow.

 

The main quality of a bright red car, standing in front of us on a gray cracked asphalt, can be called liveliness (from the word lively). One gets the impression that the creators of KA were treated as an animated creature.

 

It intensifies if you look directly into the headlights (I want to say, in the eye) to the car. Rounded forms do not make the car faceless - its appearance is very peculiar. No one will say that Ford KA is an amorphous stamped iron formation.

 

The wings and bumpers that have undergone amazing metamorphosis are noteworthy. Wide energy -absorbing bumpers enter the sidewalls of the body and cover the wheel niches, one name remains from the wings - they are very small. Together with plastic bumers, shelters are also made. No less original is the hood profile - its side edges bend up, forming a sharp contour at the junction with wings. In general, when developing the body shape, designers went, so to speak, from an oval. The very blue oval that is the Ford emblem. As they began to draw from the emblem in front, and finished the emblem from behind.

 

Ford KA belongs to the Sub-B class (by the way, one of the futuristic concepts of Ford, presented at the Frankfurt Motor show in 1993). The appearance in the KA market will not be very happy about Renault and Fiat. It is with Renault Twingo and Lancia Y -models with 100 percent recognition that Ford KA will compose in a debris for a fey buyer. Given that in 1997 and Rover significantly modernizes its cult mini, we can talk about another competitor. And there, you see, a new beetle from Volkswagen will appear. Actually, here are 5 European vehicles of the lower B-class, which will be produced before the end of the century.

 

Let's look into the car. Inside, it seemed more than outside. The interior decoration is very democratic: light gray velor and plastic. But at the same time, the salon is literally stuffed with various cunning things: steering wheel amplifier, two airbags, CD players, electric windows, immobilizer, air conditioning. It is difficult to find another machine in this class with such a standard set. The list of additional KA equipment includes a mobile phone that you can use without taking your hands off the steering wheel.

 

The Ford KA dashboard differs from others in the same way as an essay on an arbitrary topic - from the dictation. We gave the go -ahead for striptease! - It seems that with such words he returned from the leadership of the Ford chief designer to his bureau and announced a competition for the bolder panel of the devices. The result was a very affordable combination of scales and buttons: everything is in sight, everything is at hand.

 

The speedometer is made in the form of a large circle, digitized no less than 220 km/h. Either this is an application for the Ford Zetec formula motor, or the consequences of the Ford designer fantasy: according to official figures, Ford KA may accelerate up to a maximum of 155 km/h.

 

The second dial, smaller - the indicator of the fuel level. All other information is given to control lamps. The microclimate management in the cabin, external lighting and wipers is carried out by traditional switches borrowed from Ford Fiesta. Oval -shaped watches in the center are rather a spectacular interior detail than an accurate device. In any case, in order to determine the time by the position of the triangular clockwise, you will need time (sorry for such a pun).

 

Just as 40 years ago, when creating Mini, an inch for an inch was played out, inventing the original ways of placing luggage in the doors and on the instrument panel, Ford designers tried in every possible way to find every extra centimeter in the small space of the salon. Two unusual glove compartment attracted our attention. The first of them is located in front of the front passenger and is a pencil case. In appearance, this is an unremarkable glove compartment, only small - for a couple of gloves or a mobile phone. But it is worth turning it around the axis, as access to a rather spacious container opens.

 

More impressive dimensions have a cavity from the side of the right rear seat. At least 3 bottles of champagne can fit in it. The shape of the seats also saves space. True, thin ergonomic backs of the front seats are harsh, which can only appeal to lovers of sports driving.

 

The front seats have adjustments in the height of the pillow, the back of the back and the distance to the pedals, and the setting process itself does not cause any inconvenience. Immediately note good lumbar support and frictional properties of a special velor. All this allows you to reliably fix the position of the driver and passenger and avoid unnecessary lateral movements.

 

The rear seats are simpler. The backs, like two huge burdocks, are spread between the arches of the rear wheels.

 

Felnegrans are also provided. If you throw back the backs, a cargo platform is formed sufficient to transport the TV.

 

The legs for the legs of the rear passengers will be enough not to make a trip from one end of the metropolis to another tedious. We would not recommend taking passengers higher than average in distant wanderings.

 

The dimensions of the luggage compartment were not impressed. Perhaps because we are used to larger cars.

 

Ford ka is equipped with the older model - Ford Fiesta - 1.3 -liter engines of the Endura -E series. Depending on the modification, the engine power can be 60 or 50 liters. With. Most likely, the second option will not be officially delivered to Russia. Of course, the front -wheel drive and a 5 -speed manual gearbox are neatly inscribed in symbolic sizes, which are, which are, of course.

 

The capture space of Ford KA compared to Ford Fiesta is noticeably smaller. This is caused primarily by the rounding of the front. Due to the fact that there are no sharp corners in the car, it can calmly maneuver in a dense parking lot. Energy -absorbing bumers made of black plastic allow you to park in contact with both small -leafs and with higher classes.

 

Despite the compactness of the engine compartment, the motor is quite accessible. Although it is unlikely that the owner, and even more so the owner of the Ford Ka will independently correct possible problems. Having already examined and felt the car, we still could not believe that this is the same Ford KA. All doubts were dispelled only on the go.

 

The motor works barely audible. With the addition of revolutions, a pleasant uniform rumble begins to be heard. I would like to move as smoothly as possible. The motor stalls. What's the matter? Maybe in the fact that the steering wheel is turned into an extreme position, the hydraulic wiper takes over a great power, it is not enough at low speeds? We start again and, adding the gas, let go of the clutch. The process has gone. When accelerating, an excess of power is already felt for a light machine, which is also not loaded.

 

The selectivity of the gear lever is at the right level for the European brand. The selection of gear ratio of transmission is quite suitable for sports driving around the city or mountain serpentines.

 

Long second and third gears are the maximum that may be required for nimble maneuvering in the flow of machines. And if you suddenly get tired of nimble, you can relax - the motor easily pulls the car at a speed of 40 km/h in the fourth and even fifth gear. The gas and brake pedals are located close, so if the owner of the car has a large leg size, problems may arise. There are no other complaints about pedals. Brakes and informative.

 

It is nice to hold onto the steering wheel: soft porous plastic does not slip and does not rub the palm. Only the size of the steering wheel is small: during sports planting, you have to cross your hands. It is much more convenient to spin the steering wheel with one hand.

 

The reactive force on the steering wheel indicates an insufficient rotation of the car's spike. A well -made hydraulic power steering allows you to perfectly feel the behavior of a machine that adheres to an enviable stubbornly a given path of the trajectory. Attempts to disrupt one of the axes did not lead to anything.

 

Despite the funny size, Ford Ka behaves like an adult car. The suspension has a sufficient supply of move to do without a rigid end to the potholes. We almost checked her on the sewer hatch sticking out of the asphalt. But they quickly dodged. A light rotation of the steering wheel - and the machine dramatically changes the direction of movement. Ford ka maneuverability is beyond praise. The dimensions of the car that are clearly visible from the driver's seat allow him to climb in the most deaf caves.

 

Due to the large corner of the rotation of the leading wheels, Ford Ka is able to turn on a heel with a diameter of 10.3 meters. And the dynamics of the machine can please even professionals.

 

According to the aggregate of the qualities of Ford KA, he claims to be the title of one of the best city cars. An outstanding appearance, a pleasant interior and a cool mechanics, which was obtained from Ford Fiesta, can bring Ford KA to 1997 sales leaders.

 

Alexey Kostyuk
 
 

 

Source: Magazine Motor