Ford’s diminutive pun-on-four-wheels, the Ka (get it?), is back with a vengeance, and with its Honey I Shrunk The Fiesta looks and economical engine line-up it’s bound be be a much bigger hit than its much unloved (in Australia, at least) predecessor.

With styling that could best be described as “cute”, the 2009 Ka rides on the same platform as the Fiat 500. Sheetmetal is stylish without being too feminine, while the interior appears spartan but comfortable.

But looks aren’t the key appeal of cars like the Ka. Fuel economy is paramount in the city car segment, and it looks like the Ka shouldn’t disappoint on that front. The actual engine lineup hasn’t been officially revealed, but word around town is that the Ka will most likely make do with a pair of naturally-aspirated 1.4 and 1.6-litre petrol motors and a 1.6-litre turbodiesel.

Pundits also speculate that a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol motor from the Abarth 500 will eventually make it under the Ka’s hood as part of an ST option package, however don’t expect that one to drop for a while.

The 2009 Ford Ka is expected to make its global debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show this October.

PRESS RELEASE: FRESH, FUNKY AND FUN – INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW FORD KA

Paris Show debut for all-new Ford Ka
Bold, fashionable and stylish design
Full of youthful and cheeky Ka spirit
Exciting successor to the iconic original

The exciting new Ka, Ford’s fresh, fun and funky small car, will take centre-stage at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October. The all-new Ford Ka brings new levels of style and enjoyment to affordable city cars. Twelve years after the original Ka was launched to great acclaim, its successor captures the same youthful and cheeky spirit. The new model retains all of the qualities which made the Ka so popular – its compact size, great looks, lively dynamics and fun personality – but presents them in a fresh new package.

Stylish Inside and Out: Ford designers have given the new Ka a fashionable, modern appearance based around the company’s ‘kinetic design’ form language. A number of visual cues provide a connection to the original Ka, but with its distinctive face and chunky proportions the new model has its own unique character. The interior of the new Ka also has a stylish, dynamic design, combining bold contrasts and expressive colours which reflect the more adventurous tastes of the typical Ka buyer.

Rebirth of a Design Icon: The new model is destined to continue the considerable success of the original Ford Ka, which is widely considered to be an automotive design icon. Launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1996, the Ka was immediately praised for its exciting “New Edge” styling and class-leading driving dynamics. Throughout its 12-year life the Ka has remained tremendously popular among small-car buyers, inspiring fierce loyalty from its owners. In total, Ka production has exceeded 1.4 million vehicles. Further information on the new Ford Ka range will be released in time for the Paris Motor Show in early October 2008.