Ford announces pricing for Ka minicar in UK

Ford has announced the European pricing for its Ka minicar, with the base model starting at £7,995 (approximately $13,085). This figure undercuts the base price for Toyota's 2010 iQ minicar by exactly £1,500, or about 18%, and this should help the diminutive Ka outpace its Japanese rival in the sales race.

The Ka will be available with a choice of two engines, the entry-level 1.2L unit with 68hp (51kW) and the higher-spec 1.3L unit with 77hp (55kW). Both engines feature sub-120g/km CO2 emissions, which will help bring down Ford's fleet emissions levels in compliance with upcoming emissions regulations.

Apart from engine choice, the Ka will come in four trim levels, beginning with the £7,995 'STUDIO' trim that comes with electric power assisted steering (EPAS), ABS brakes, driver and passenger front airbags, a headlamp courtesy delay system and body-colored bumpers. This trim level also adds a six-speaker stereo with MP3 compatibility and an auxiliary jack.

For an extra £500, or £8,495, customers can choose the Ka in 'STYLE' trim, which adds powered and heated body-colored door mirrors, electric front windows, body-colored door handles, remote-central locking, driver seat height adjust and a 50/50 split rear seat. There’s also a rear headrest and driver seat memory function. Ford will also be offering a 'STYLE +' trim level, which will start at £8,995 and adds air conditioning and a heated windscreen as standard.

The range topping Ka will come in the 'ZETEC' trim, and Ford is expecting this £9,495 (£10,195 for 1.3 TDCi) trim level to be its most popular. Additional features to the Style+ include 15in alloy wheels, front fog lamps, remote-central locking, upgraded instruments and trip computer, as well as theatre dimming interior lights.