Policing the Panda Ka

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 10:04:16 GMT

Richard Aucock writes:

Later this week, we’ll be seeing the new Ford Ka for the first time, at the Paris Motor Show. Now, it is based on Fiat’s Panda, and is built in the same Polish factory. We know that. What we don’t know is whether the Ka is going to ‘feel’ like a Panda. That won’t necessarily be a disaster. The Panda is my favourite Fiat, and its already spawned the fine 500. But, I admire Fords, because they feel like Fords, and thus handle, involve and ‘feel’ great. Take the original Ka. Still an absolute joy to drive. What’s the new one going to be like?

Well, we’ve seen the pictures. And..? Well, Ford included one of the interior. From which, I was struck by… how much like a Panda it looks. And not just the Fiat column stalks, Fiat electric mirror switch (albeit moved from the floor to the door), Fiat dial layout – but, heavens, every control, sitting just where it does in the Panda, within a clearly-related overall architecture. Heater dials. Stereo. Odometer reset button. Air vents. Now, I know sharing platforms yields certain ‘hard points’ you can’t move (that’s why all Mk5 Golf-derived models have heater controls set so low, why all Mk5-based versions have a floor-mounted accelerator), but even so, I’m intrigued. And worried about the actual extent of Ford’s influence.

A closer look reassures me, in part. The dials have unique faces, the dash buttons are ‘Ford’, not Fiat, and the overall dash bears fewer similarities than you first think. Those seats look lovely and the door pockets are huge. Hopefully all indicating that Fiat’s allowed Ford engineers similar free reign over the tuning of it – fitting bespoke springs and dampers, tuning the suspension bushes, altering the geometry, all that sort of stuff.

But we won’t know for sure until we drive it, in a few weeks’ time. Until then, doubts remain. Not eased by Ford calling the 1.2-litre engine ‘Duratec’, and the 1.3-litre diesel ‘Duratorq’. Ford names. But they certainly ‘aint Ford engines…

---

Links:

Official: new Ford Ka

Rumour-mongering: new Lamborghini steals Paris limelight

Bookmark with:

Digg

Inside Track: Comment

Policing the Panda Ka