Have Ford screwed up?

[Neil]

TG Mag seem to think so

http://www.topgear.com/uk/ford/ka/road-test/1.2-zetec

I'm inclined to agree - the Fiat origins are all too clear throughout. The dials look like they came out of my old Punto, the centre console is straight out of the Panda, identical column stalks, and so on.

And it looks silly - the proportions are all wrong. It's too tall, and too short.

 

[PumaKa]

It's NOT a Ka... it's that simple.

There's nothing in this model inherited from the Mk.1 (ie- the Ka we know at the moment, which was Ford's biggest success in the last 10 years)

Not really seeing the point of this next generation of Ka tbh. It's a Fiat in all but name.

Imagine if Ford decided to continue the Puma name, badged onto something that doesn't drive, handle or create the stir that the (current) one does?

 

[red]

Daft.

Completely different car with the same name.. might have well just called it the Pa

Looks ugly as sin too. The new fiesta is far nicer.

 

[Dal]

I think Ford have missed a trick recently. Why keep calling cars the same name? The Fiesta and Ka should have been called something completely different. Might help them create an image of 'something new' rather than rehashing the same old formula.

 

[PumaKa]

Or just spell it differently... like the Cougar and the Kuga? Bet that causes some confusion at the Ford Parts Desk... two totally different cars!

Maybe they should have spelled it "Qa"

 

[drunkennosh]

i like the situation when Ford keep the names, i love the family/ethics behined a mass number of people owning and having a pssion for the same car and conversation in brings with people prefering deifferent marks of the same car (i.e MK1 escort compared to a mk3)..

but what i dont like is when Ford has to borrow a car and platform from somewhere else and put their badges on it, becuase in the end they loose out. (do i dare mention the Ford/Nissan 4x4 saga with the Tourano and Maverick...both (imo) shoddy motors and you couldnt tell them apart from the badges)

but why Fiat!!!....the KA ethics where it was designed by a women for a women driver for the bounce and creativity they have. (Fords release at the motor show in 1996)...

Fiat - designed to break...will break...

but then i personally hate all the inter-breading all car manufacturers have now....no individuality...not ranting just my opinion... 8)

 

[red]

Valid though.

..

Mazda 121 anyone?

 

[jacko]

12 years! it outlasted the mclaren f1 then! (bought out at same time iirc)

after 12 years you simply CANNOT bring out a mk2 version of anything....

its wrong.....its not a KA, its not a FORD.......

they should have killed the KA name and brought out a new one for this little fiat.

im still tempted to buy a sportka (love the shape) & go for the full frp with it.....! it could be my daily runner after the frp gets its v6 4x4 conversion with maybe a supercharger strapped on for good measure.....

 

[drunkennosh]

12 years! it outlasted the mclaren f1 then! (bought out at same time iirc)

after 12 years you simply CANNOT bring out a mk2 version of anything....

you have not heard there is a new McLaren F1 on its way then :shock:

 

[jacko]

lol, yes.... altho its more of a 'budget car'....not an 'ultimate car'... as far as iv read....

and its kinda different....as a specialist manufacturer i forgive them!!!!!!!! but after 12 years constant production you just cant 'redo' the ka....

its like someone taking your grandad away & replacing him with someone else, with a tan.....!!!

 

[BOK]

This is why I shudder at the thought that Ford might produce another 'Puma' and dirty the reputation of our cars.

On this showing, do you really all want a 'new Puma'? :shock:

 

[red]

No.

 

[blackersno1]

its horrible, its boring as hell

 

[DradusContact]

Theyre right in what they say about the old one. It was cheap, and loud, but great fun to throw around. Easy to drive, easy to park, and full of little good idea's. for example, the reason the bumper's where originally un-painted and came in 3 parts was so that if you damaged one part, you only had to replace that bit, and you didnt need to spend a fortune getting it resprayed. The 1.3 was more than adequate and i often used to suprise people pulling away at lights, its a shame the sportka was so lame.

 

[WeePuma]

that is mingin, and its just a rounded off panda or uno.