Ford Ka prices revealed

Ford has announced the starting price for the next-generation Ka supermini - and at £7,995 it should sail through the credit crunch.

Set to hit showrooms in January, the basic Studio model will come equipped with an MP3 compatible six-speaker CD player, body coloured bumpers, anti-lock brakes and twin front airbags.

Spec up to Style or Style+ and you'll add heated door mirrors, remote central locking and electric windows, with the latter getting air conditioning too. They're £8,495 and £8,995 respectively.

However, Ford expects top level Zetec versions to sell in greatest numbers - taking 40 percent of total sales. That adds 15-inch alloys, front fog lights and ambiance lifting interior lighting - and it's the only way to buy a car powered by Ford's 74bhp 1.3-litre diesel engine. All four trim levels can be specified with a 1.2-litre petrol unit developing 68bhp.

Ford is making much of the raft of personalisation options available with the new Ka too, which includes an uprated stereo, a rear spoiler, big alloy wheels and a variety of exterior decals. It seems everybody's taking a leaf out of the MINI options book these days.

The new Ka is available from January, but you'll be able to see it before that in the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, which has its world premiere this week.

Mark Nichol