7

Ford has up-scaled its compact Ka offering to liberate space for five in its new five-door Ka+.

Priced from £8,995 the Ka+ remains shorter than its bigger brother, the Fiesta, at less than four metres, but is 29mm taller and claims to provide class-leading front headroom and best-in-class legroom for rear passengers.

A new 1.2-litre Duratec petrol engine with twin-independent variable camshaft timing, meanwhile, claims 114g/km CO2 emissions and 56.5mpg fuel efficiency.

Commenting on the new model, which will be available to order from this month, Ford Motor Company’s executive vice president and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Jim Farley,  said: “Ford has a proud history of offering affordable small cars that are practical, economical and fun-to-drive.

“Ka+ is true to that tradition, packing a huge amount into a compact car that delivers agile driving dynamics and a surprisingly roomy cabin at an affordable price.”

The Ka+ provides 270 litres of luggage space, 60/40 split-folding rear seats and 21 stowage locations throughout the cabin.

Taking inspiration from Ford’s latest design language, the stylish, its exterior styling features Ford’s high-mounted trapezoidal grille with large, swept-back headlamps.

Featuring a simplified engine line-up based on a new 1.2-litre Duratec petrol engine, the Ka+ is available with a choice of 69bhp and 79bhp outputs.

The Duratec engine features twin-independent variable camshaft timing technology to enhance performance and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Customers can choose from Studio and Zetec specifications, the former available only with the lower-powered engine option.

Among the standard equipment on both Ka+ models are electric 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 Zetec adds 15in alloy wheels, manual air-conditioning, DAB digital radio/CD with Ford’s SYNC voice-activated communications and entertainment system with AppLink, leather steering wheel and cruise control.

Electronic climate control, heated front seats, privacy glass and a City Pack combining rear parking sensors, power rear windows and power folding door mirrors are all part of the available options.