General How Do You Feel About The New Fiat made Ka?

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General How Do You Feel About The New Fiat made Ka?

Re: How Do You Feel About The New Ford Ka?

Yes. However, those petrol engines of the 80s, the twin-cam designs at least, were developments of the engines which Aurelio Lampredi designed for Fiat after he left Ferrari. The present-day twin-cam Fiat engines continue that tradition, though of course with many obvious refinements such as the narrower included valve angle. These engines also have a long and honourable competition history, often with Abarth modifications. Fiat have at times produced very pure, very sporting cars with a great pedigree (as well as an awful lot of dross) - in recent times the Coupe and the Barchetta spring to mind.

John
 
Re: How Do You Feel About The New Ford Ka?

This is all part of the reducing costs and we have all benifited hugely from it. The price is common platforms and loss of some heratige. I had a similar experience when GM bought Saab, the next set of cars were real dogs both engine and car wise, they used common components and platforms without much development. Every car manufacturer has experienced this. Gradually though each division restamps its feel back into their cars and you get reliable, cheat and distinct cars again.
For those that hanker after the past surely should appreciate that cars are far better than they used to be and the day they make a Saab96 with modern components I will be their with my cash!!
 
Re: How Do You Feel About The New Ford Ka?

Lets be honest, non of us is buying a 500 for its engines, they aren't that brilliant, or its chassis as again its far from perfect!

Just noticed this today. I like the FIAT engines! I think they're sweet and have load of character (y)

Agree with the chassis thou but sure, it's all about style anyway or we'd of bought a panda instead, hehe

Jim
 
Re: How Do You Feel About The New Ford Ka?

Guys I just think it this way, after years of ups and downs, more downs than ups Fiat finally made it and pull all its resources togehter and come up with something really good, the new 500 a very good GP and started doing what is best at small city cars and medium family cars. Is what she know to do best and after years she star making money again!! Few years back GM was thinking to buy Fiat Auto and Fiat was thinking to sell, Now look I'm buying fiat again and with the last Alfa this new 500 is the 3rd car from the Fiat family in less then an year.
What i want to say I am happy that a company like Ford is paying Fiat good money to use the 500 concept, it just show to me that they got it damm right and I'm happy for it and to be, I hope soon, a new 500 owner!!
Well done Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino(y)
 
Re: How Do You Feel About The New Ford Ka?

Interesting. I didn't realise that Ford had paid for the development costs of the 500. With regard to Alfa, yes you are right - the GTV was the last Alfa with a "real" Alfa V6 - which is why they still have a very loyal following. It all depends what kind of customer base you are trying to build, I suppose - for Fiat, volume counts, and they have the prestige brands of Alfa, Lancia and Maserati to target the Italian car loyalists with. For Fiat, the 500 sells on style, and its mechanical underpinnings are of little interest to most buyers. Fair enough. I am an old fogey, I admit it. I just remember very well how Porsche shot itself in the foot with the 924 (by alienating its loyal customer base), even though the 924 wasn't too bad a car in fact.

John


John, this is the past.

Unfortunately there is no more pure car. There is no more Fiat or Alfa or any other car make you could mention.

Know how and development sharing is going on everywhere. The common platform, engine, chassis design is what new models hinge around. It is all about maximising profits for share holders with minimum effort.

From whatever is common, the designers in the individual companies are allowed to give it its individual touch. It is like todays politicians:

Different appearance - same crap underneath.
 
Re: How Do You Feel About The New Ford Ka?

Whatever you may think of Ford, motoring journalists always rate them on their handling. Reading the latest Top Gear mag feature (granted it's based on a drive in an early testing version) they even mention that the 500 Abarth borrowed ideas from the Ka's development, like adding a rear anti-roll bar to enable softer springs to be fitted so as to improve ride quality (a common issue with the Panda 100HP).

Then you have to consider the aftermarket- a lot of people moan that Fiat's aren't really catered-for regarding tuning parts. But whenever a new Ford is released there's no end of parts that are rapidly developed and tested (inc turbo/supercharger conversions). If the new Ka is to use the same engines, then it can be only a benefit to the Fiat community.

(y)
 
Re: How Do You Feel About The New Ford Ka?

The 500 appealed to me on sooooooo many levels. With the new 500 You have the looks, the history, the interior, ncap 5star rating, plenty of room & a bit like an ipod or a mac,

Exactly, so why did Fiat decide to get in with Microsoft and do Blue&Me instead of a simple ipod connection, which would appeal to the core market, IMHO.
 
Re: How Do You Feel About The New Ford Ka?

the spy shot showing the rear is DISGUSTING!
i'm going to have to try my best not to be sick if i see one of these on the roads

How do i feel about the new Ford KA?
Smug Smug Smug!
 
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I think it looks like a hotwash Corsa, with the contemporary gaping-guppy grill.

A bit bland and me-too, but not really Mito, which I love.

Thank God the 500 still looks like a Fiat, whereas the Ford looks like anything.
 
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