It was initially only available in Brazil, and later was introduced in India, Italy,[4] Mexico, Spain, South Africa (where it was marketed as the Ford Figo), Argentina, and Poland.

When the Ka was first introduced to the public, it provoked mixed reactions due to its unusual New Edge design, overseen by Jack Telnack and executed by Claude Lobo.

Under Richard Parry-Jones' supervision, the suspension and steering settings allowed for hard cornering and high levels of grip, providing strong handling characteristics.

The car's main drawback was the 1,300 cc overhead valve four-cylinder Endura-E engine, a derivative of the Valencia unit used in all the previous generations of the Fiesta and based on the older "Kent" design, which dated back to the 1960s.

[11] In 2002, the Endura-E was replaced by the overhead-cam Duratec engine, with claims of improved fuel efficiency and increased refinement, mostly caused by taller gearing on the cars without air conditioning.

The UK model range originally consisted of the base version, the Ka, and the higher specification Ka2, which standardised a number of the options listed above.

The Luxury version came with a Quickclear heated windscreen, leather seats and interior trim, and standard air conditioning.

Unique to the UK was the Ford Ka Van variant, produced for BT Group[12] and featuring a bespoke flat plywood floor with rubber overmat and white-ply covers instead of rear windows.

With the car's impending replacement, in May 2008, a Finale special edition with distinguishing features such as roof decal and black wing mirrors was made available.

In 2003, the Ka brand was diversified, with the addition of a new SportKa featuring a sporty body kit, wider track with stiffened suspension and redesigned 16" (40 cm) alloy wheels.

A convertible model called StreetKa also appeared, launched with the help of Australian pop star Kylie Minogue at the Paris Motor Show.

Options included upgrading the single CD/radio to an in-dash six-disc CD/radio and additional rear speakers beneath the rollover bars and a heated windscreen, standard on winter models.

[18] The matching StreetKa dress designed by Bruce Oldfield of Ford was later sold in an auction during London Fashion Week to raise money for Barnados.

[19] In 2005, all Ka models, including the SportKa and StreetKa, received a slightly updated interior, bringing the cabin back up to date, while still retaining the look and feel of the original.

Ford's Boreham airfield facility provides a complete build service for competitors wishing to rally Ka.

Aluminium sump and fuel tank guards, OZ Rally wheels, and a Safety Devices bolt-in roll cage are all either fitted by the Boreham works or supplied to individual teams.

Performance-enhancing modifications are limited to the addition of a Rally spec engine control unit, camshaft and 4-into-2-into-1 extractor set attached to a free-flowing exhaust.

This combination lifts power to 80 hp (60 kW), and to cope with it, competitors are encouraged to fit the optional uprated drive shafts with larger CV joints.

Replacing the original shock absorbers is a set of four remote-reservoir Proflex coil-over struts adjustable for compression and rebound damping.

These are allied to a lowering kit and adjustable spring platforms to give Ka competitors a wide range of suspension settings including ride height.

Even the replacement panels in the dashboard, which support the fire extinguisher button and extra switches and gauges required in a rally car are listed in the Boreham parts schedule.

The Ka featured shock absorption revised from the Fiat 500 along with a rear antiroll bar enabling 30% softer springs and accordingly retuned dampers to improve ride performance over uneven road surfaces.

[29] The second-generation Ka has an overall Euro NCAP safety rating of four stars,[30] with standard driver and passenger single-stage front airbags, ABS, immobiliser, hazard warning lights, and remote central locking (except Studio version in UK).

The Ka made its debut in the 22nd James Bond film Quantum of Solace and was unveiled in October 2008's Paris Motor Show.

Three "Ford Individual packs" were introduced with special characteristics each (in both the interior and exterior design), called Tattoo, Grand Prix, and Digital.

In the manufacturing plant at São Bernardo do Campo, the project included the replacement of 160 robots in the assembly line, as well as measuring machines and test stations.

[39] The production version of this new Ford Ka appeared in July 2014,[40] in hatchback and sedan body styles, with the first units arriving in Brazil in September and October 2014 respectively.

According to local press,[59] the current 1.0 L version of the new 2014 Ka is the most economical compact car without a turbocharged engine (1.0 L TSI), achieving up to 12 km/L of ethanol (E100) in the city of São Paulo.

Its Sigma 1.5 L-equipped version had been well received by the Brazilian market due to its relatively vigorous launches and good torque at low and midrange engine speeds.

[64] In March 2017, Euro NCAP released the results of the tests performed on the Ka+ in its standard European market configuration and it scored three out of five stars.