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Ford KA Mk1 gallery (1996–2008)

The first-generation Ford Ka was a pioneering urban city car defining Ford's New Edge design language.

All photos 35 Mk1 7 1996–2008 Mk2 22 2008–2016 III (Ka+) 0 2016–2021
ford ka pic #33348 1600 x 1200 78 2003
ford ka pic #33347 1600 x 1200 74 2003
ford ka pic #33346 1600 x 1200 80 2003
ford ka pic #33345 1600 x 1200 74 2003
ford ka pic #33344 1600 x 1200 93 2003
ford ka pic #33343 1600 x 1200 68 2003
ford ka pic #33342 1600 x 1200 73 2003

Debuting in 1996, the Ka Mk1 was constructed on a shortened Fiesta Mk3 floorpan. Its radical New Edge design featured oversized unpainted bumpers integrated into body contours, making it instantly recognizable. The compact three-door footprint delivered agile urban handling and effortless parking ability.

Engines included 1.3-liter Endura-E and later Duratec units. Variant spin-offs included the Pininfarina-styled StreetKa roadster and the 1.6-liter SportKa hot hatch. The original Ka remained in production for 12 model years. The lasting engineering impact of this generation remains a key benchmark in Ford's global model evolution history. Known for its dependable mechanical layout, the vehicle built a loyal customer base across diverse driving conditions. Offered with versatile feature packages, this iteration successfully balanced day-to-day usability with solid resale value. The lasting engineering impact of this generation remains a key benchmark in Ford's global model evolution history.