The smallest car in Ford’s line-up will feature digital radio for the first time.
Ford today unveiled the new car which replaces the existing Ka model. The KA+ is larger than Ford’s current city car, coming only in a five door layout, but budget-wise is still intended to sit below the Fiesta.
Two series options will be on offer with buyers choosing between the standard 70 PS model and an upgraded 85 PS model. The latter adds manual air conditioning, Ford’s SYNC system and Ford MyKey.
The 85 PS model is the level at which DAB digital radio can be chosen as an optional extra.
Ford has added a storage area to the centre of the instrument panel for drivers to store and charge their mobile phones – useful for satellite navigation.
The current Ford Ka cannot be specified with digital radio and isn’t compatible with Ford’s ‘DAB Pack’ upgrade. Although a separate Pioneer single-DIN radio could be chosen from the accessories brochure it did not offer digital radio.
The number of new cars and vans on the UK’s roads with digital radio is steadily increasing. While many premium city cars do feature DAB as standard many of the UK’s best selling cars require buyers to choose it as an option, or select a trim level which does include it.
Digital radio is not included as standard in the Ford Fiesta or Vauxhall Corsa – the first and fourth best selling cars in the UK. Other city cars like the Fiat 500 and Skoda Citigo offer digital radio as an upgrade while some manufacturers do not offer DAB as a factory option at all.
The new KA+ is available to order from this month with the first cars being delivered in October. It starts at £8,995 in the UK.