Ford takes aim at the Ka+ with the fashionable crossover look in the A-B segment, in its new Active version

The flood of news ahead of the Geneva Motor Show begins. Ford fires the first shot with its new Active version of the Ka+, a new variant of the small A-B segment model that fits perfectly with the new SUV trend sweeping through the entry-level car market and which, with the changes introduced, clearly improves both its exterior and interior appearance, gaining in appeal and interest.

The new Ka+ Active is distinguished from the previously known Ka+ by its greater ground clearance (increased by an additional 2.3 cm), achieved thanks to new suspension settings (specific within the range to this version), but also above all thanks to its exclusive grille, new front and rear bumpers, chrome roof rails and new 15-inch wheels, also exclusive to this version (at least for now), as well as the usual plastic protections that most manufacturers fit to their segment crossover models, both on the wheel arches and on the lower body panels, to give them a more rugged, off-road character and appearance. The Ka+ Active is offered only as a five-door body.

Improved and very colourful interior matching the bodywork

The fact is that Ford succeeds with these elements, because the small Ka+ clearly improves its exterior image thanks to all of them. The same happens inside, although the differences compared with the rest of the range are smaller. Its look conveys a greater sense of toughness and strength, which suits the Ka+ well and which it certainly lacked until now.

As is happening in models in this segment, colour is starting to flood the dashboard, seats and other interior elements, another of the new commercial trends that suits most models on the market so well. Trim and upholstery feature a pleasant décor in tones matching the body colour. Colour inserts also appear on the door panels, upholstery, instrument cluster, floor mats and seats.

The improved interior also offers a more than notable range of technological equipment on board, among which the advanced SYNC-3 infotainment system stands out, controllable both via the 6.5-inch touchscreen that dominates the centre of the dashboard and via the controls on the three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. Likewise, the new Ka+ Active has everything needed to connect your smartphone to the car and control its systems through the car’s controls, as it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software.

As standard, the equipment available on board the new Ka+ Active has nothing to envy in other models in the segment, in both safety and comfort. As standard, the small Ka+ Active includes features such as six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, stability control, rain and light sensors (with automatic headlight activation), parking sensors, heated seats, QuickClear heated windscreen and air conditioning.

As an optional extra, it will also have the Ford MyKey system, with which parents can limit the maximum speed and the volume of the sound system, as well as ensure that their children, still inexperienced drivers, do not inadvertently switch off the safety devices fitted on board the car.

The new Ka+ Active will go on advanced sale in spring, following its official presentation at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. On the Spanish market we will start to see it between April and May. Prices are not yet known, but they will logically sit above the already known versions of the current Ka+ range, which will put its most basic version at around 10,000 euros.

As for the engines available for the model, the brand’s announcement does not mention the availability of petrol or diesel engines either, among which will be the new and efficient three-cylinder Ti-VCT 1.2-litre petrol engine in its 70 and 85 CV versions and the already known 1.5-litre TDCI diesel of 95 CV, all of them Euro 5 technology, Auto Start-Stop technology as standard and a five-speed manual gearbox.