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The Ford Ka went on sale September 11, 1996. Over the last ten years, it's sold over one million units in a dizzying array of trim levels (special models have been quite common throughout its run). Oddly fetching even though it resembles an Air Jordan with wheels, the Ka's exterior appearance has remained unchanged throughout, save for minor tweaks like more athletic bodywork on the SportKa. Its New Edge styling has shown remarkable staying power and has even spawned the great-looking StreetKa roadster, which is marketed as a standalone, upmarket product.

Ford has updated the cars under the skin (for instance, a new wiring system was introduced in 2005, enabling them to offer higher levels of equipment), and the interior has seen every treatment imaginable -- from basic cloth seats and few options to fully-loaded, leather-swathed luxury. Two four-cylinder gasoline engines provide the cars' motivation -- a 1.3L (70hp / 45mpg) and a 1.6L (94hp / 35mpg). The bigger motor sees duty in the more performance-oriented SportKa and StreetKa.

For MY 2007, the UK gets seven different Ka models -- and that's not including the StreetKa, which is sold as a separate vehicle altogether. After 10 years, it doesn't look like the Ka's going to leave us anytime soon. Happy Birthday, little guy.

(Pics, Release after the jump)

[Source: Ford]

Ford StreetKa



Interior - Ford Ka Sublime


PRESS RELEASE:

10 years of success for ford ka: latest model PRICED lower than in 1996

* Ford Ka celebrates 10 years of success
* 383, 261 Ka models have been sold
* The iconic design has kept it as segment leader for its lifetime
* The latest Ka models hit showrooms this month. Entry model is pound;255 cheaper than the first model sold 10 years ago
* Top of the range Sportka now pound;305 less and Luxury pound;700 less than previous models

BRENTWOOD, Essex, 1 September, 2006 ndash; Britain's best-selling supermini, the Ford Ka, celebrates 10 years of success this month. A new Ka line-up arrives in showrooms across Britain, once again enhancing the range and specifications and offering great value. At pound;7,095, the entry model of the new line-up costs pound;255 less than the first Ka sold 10 years ago.

The new Ka line-up has seven models from the entry level Studio to the Sportka SE. Ka is popular with a diverse range of customers, from the student to the grandparent and so the range caters for many needs. The new line-up starts at pound;7,095 on-the-road for a Studio model, to pound;9,995 for the Sportka SE.

Mark Ovenden, marketing director, Ford of Britain said: "Today's Ka driver still loves the funky look of Ka but also wants more technology and luxury. We have added a higher specification to the mid-range models and greater value in the high-end models to cater for this.

"In its lifetime, Ka has gone from a basic runaround to the kind of car customers can personalise with everything from air conditioning to two tone leather trim. Price is a key consideration for the supermini car buyer and that's why value is the mainstay of the new models," he added.

The new seven- model line- up is:

Studio ndash; pound;7,095 on-the-road entry level with ABS, immobiliser, tinted glass, silver sports-style dials, driver's airbag, radio/cassette, and power steering.

Style ndash; at pound;7, 395 on-the-road, with body coloured bumpers and door mirrors, CD player, central locking, electric windows and remote boot release.

Style Climate ndash; at pound;7, 995 on-the-road, Style Climate has air conditioning, Quickclear heated front windscreen and power, heated mirrors.

Zetec ndash; at pound;7,995 on-the-road, this model is pound;600 less than the previous Ka Collection model. It has alloy wheels, rear spoiler, remote central locking, scuff plates, leather gear knob and steering wheel.

Zetec Climate ndash; at pound;8,595 on-the-road, this model adds air conditioning, quickclear heated front windscreen and power, heated mirrors to the already well-specified Zetec.

Luxury ndash; the ultimate Ka at pound;9,195 on-the-road, this model adds leather trim, carpet mats, chrome grille and exhaust. This is pound;1,100 less than the outgoing model.

Sportka SE ndash; the sports model topping the range is pound;9,995 on-the-road and has a punchy 1.6-litre engine with added torque. This is pound;305 less than the outgoing model. SportKa SE is fully equipped with 16" alloy wheels, two-tone leather seats, air conditioning, CD player and Quickclear heated front windscreen.