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Cheeky Ford Sport Ka spreads a little happiness
CHEAP and cheerful are just two words which spring instantly to mind in the same breath as the Ford Ka.
I remember seeing it roll off the production line and thinking –
that's quite cool actually, and I can afford one.
That was some 11 years ago believe it or not but you know what, it's still got a quirky edge that left so many design gurus rushing
back to the drawing board at the time.
I'm sure you have been frustrated by the Ka on more than one occasion. The first being the conundrum of how you actually pronounce its name.
The second being when you race up behind one at all of 34mph only to find an acne-faced teen grappling with the notion of the ten-to-two position – something which previously involved them being face down in
a pool of their own adolescent indulgence.
Yes the learner driver is the Ka's best friend, and with good reason.
It is, if you like, no frills driving. No complications. Nothing to distract you from the challenge of the roads ahead.
Its wheel-at-all-corners stance is the
equivalent of riding one of those small bright yellow BMX bikes –complete with the strange concrete tyres and stabilisers.
It is there to help you through what is a very daunting experience and it does it well.
On this occasion I was able to drive the 'Sport' incarnation of the Ka.
Now before you roll up your sleeves for a tale of motoring debauchery and law breaking, just relax. The Ka's 0–60mph time of 9.7 seconds is
described by Ford as 'breathtaking' but breathtaking it is not. It is however enjoyable thanks to the Ka's gearbox which is firm and
accurate made all the more pleasing by the tactile alloy gear-knob.
In terms of the styling, the Sport Ka more than holds its own. I suspect that more girls than boys will be taken in by its cheeky
demeanor.
Personally, I think Dodge Viper go-faster stripes belong on a Dodge Viper and nothing else but you can order your Sport Ka without
this abomination.
Other than that the Sport Ka looks the business. Big alloy wheels, low profile tyres, body-coloured wheel arches, triangular spot lamps. It all looks good.
One thing that did strike me about the Ka was its 1.6l 95bhp engine. It's more than willing to have a go, a bit like Scrappy Doo,
and it makes quite a meaty noise too.
Of course, where the Ka comes into its own is in the twisty stuff and in the city stuff.
It's so agile and nimble that it could get where water can't. This is largely due to Ford's notorious ability where suspension is
concerned. The Sport Ka comes with a nice taught ride thanks to its sports suspension set-up – as standard.
I was also pleased with the amount of room inside the Ka. There was more than enough headroom, even for me at 6ft 2ins, and combined with the sports-style leather seats, it was reasonably comfortable.
I was also pleased to see a CD player, airconditioning, heated front windscreen and sporty dials although some of the switches, knobs and buttons are ready for a bit of a spruce up.
I actually really enjoyed giving the Ka the Guardian treatment and I can see why it has been so popular this last decade.
Prices start at around 10,000 but shop around and you will be able to find a Sport Ka cheaper.
So there you are, reasons to be cheerful from Ford's Sport Ka.
Affordable, funky, European driving which appeals to people
across the board.
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Weather for Worksop
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
