Ford launches Ka in Brazil, India launch next year

Ford has launched the Ka hatchback in Brazil, a market seen of equal importance to Ford and one that comes the closest to Indian buying patterns. The new Ka will make it to India sometime next year and so is worth taking a look at. 

The Ka will replace the dated Figo in India next year as the company’s bread-n-butter model. If features the company’s grown up styling cues distancing itself from the rather flamboyant kinetic design language that Fords of the last decade have worn to have a wider appeal. Ford has also dropped the variant names used till now and the new Ka in Brazil only comes in two trims – SE and SEL. The SE variant gets electric power steering, air conditioning, front power windows, rake adjustable steering wheel and a music system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The SE trim also gets a My Doc Ford, where you can place your mobile phone on a docking station and use it as a navigation device. Ford has given an optional variant between the SE and SEL in which you get rear power windows, a multi-function steering wheel and Ford’s Sync system with voice control in addition to other features. 

The top-end SEL variant gets larger 15 inch wheels to 14 inchers on the lower variant and comes with five-spoke alloys. Driver seat height adjustment, vehicle stability control and ABS are part of the SEL variant. The Ka is a crucial car for emerging markets where it will be used by small families. Hence the Ka for the first time gets four doors instead of two. The Ka grows larger than its predecessor but the boot is smaller than the Figo though at 257 litres.

Powering the Figo in Brazil is a 1.0-litre 86PS petrol and most likely the Fiesta’s diesel engine should make it too. It’s a 1.5-litre unit develops 91PS of power and will take the fight to the Xcent, Amaze, Dzire and Zest and their hatchback siblings with the Ka+ and Ka. 

Ford’s Sanand plant will be operational by year end where the new Ka hatchback and Ka+ sedan will be manufactured. This is the next big step for Ford in India. 

Source: Autos Segredos