Ford 'Start' concept - Is it cute?

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http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/ford-start-concept

Designed at Ford's California studio, the Start was apparently inspired by the Porsche 356 Speedster and Alfa Romeo Zagato SZ. Built of aluminium and steel, it's around 140kg lighter than conventional city cars and features far fewer parts.
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All very nice, but the Start's engine is the most relevant bit for now: a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol with Ford's ‘EcoBoost' technology. This means it gets a turbocharger and direct injection, meaning CO2 emissions under 100g/km and, says Ford, comparable power to a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine - around 110bhp, we'd guess.
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I really like it, I think it would look stunning in white or a grey tone. The interior is also pretty nice, although I'm not 100% on the steering wheel. It's a pity the final thing would probably look nothing like this but instead have the front end of a Focus/Fiesta/Ka/Mondeo/every single Ford currently on the market and the rear end of something very bland. A lot of people are already claiming it has the same shape as the 500 though, which is probably why I like it.
 
It looks like they took a very old car and made it futuristic. But it kinda reminds me of the Inifinti FX45 (Except it is smaller.) Nice look though.
 
If anything, it has some semblance to the Original Ka.

ford_ka_3-resized.jpg


But also has some early '50s detailing, especially in the greenhouse area. Guessing this is a design study for the Ka III.
 
It's not too bad. Certainly better than the current Ka and Fiesta - it has a much more natural, flowing shape than the busy lines of their current small cars. The interior is nice too. I actually quite like the steering wheel, though it'd be more at home in a Mustang or something.
 
Controversial, but that's the way it should be. Slap 'Ka' on it and put it on sale now, please.
 
That thing is way too round for my tastes. Also, I hate the wheels. They give me headaches. Give it either coupe or hatch proportions, and this thing has potential. Cars do not need to look like eggs.
 
Would someone please black-out all those little Chrome details on the greenhouse in PS? I think that'd be the best indication of what a Ka version of this would look like...maybe with larger, round headlights, too.

The grille's not a great feature, either, but as this is a concept, I'll bet it'll be a bit more familial by Production time.
 
It looks like the future of the Volkswagon Beetle. "Will the Punch Buggee game change forever? We may never know..."
 
A 1.0L EcoBoost? Madness. I must drive something with this engine!
 
It looks ok I guess, nt great. I certainly wouldn't buy it, but it would make a lot of sense for Ford to sell in in the next year or two as the next Ka rather than another model altogether. Definitely a plus for it looking different, but sadly if it did go into prodction it would probably look more like the rest of the Ford range, of which only the Mondeo and Focus suit the corporate face they've opted for. I don't like these corporate faces every company seems to be doing these days, they never look good across the entire range. They should design each car to suit itself, you're lineup would look mch better overall.
 
YSSMAN
A 1.0L EcoBoost? Madness. I must drive something with this engine!
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+1. I rather like it and think it is a good thing that this is at least even being considered. EcoBoost with a tiny engine = win. Plus the fact that it is lighter because of all that aluminum means it should be nippy. And my god that interior is just :drool:
 
I can't wait until the 500 gets the new MultiAir engines, they're similar, pushing fairly large amounts of power from small turbo'd engines, giving you a low tax band, decent MPG figures and more than enough power to be nice and nippy. They will work very well in small cars and it's something that makes a car like this even more attractive to me.
 
So ugly-- I wonder what the drag coeff is.
 
I like it... the only problem is the design looks so... dated.

Seriously... I look at that and the concept design language seems so early 90's...
Mercury_MC2_1997_Front.jpg

(was thinking of this because I just picked up an old C&D that covers this car...)
 
niky
I like it... the only problem is the design looks so... dated.

Seriously... I look at that and the concept design language seems so early 90's...
Mercury_MC2_1997_Front.jpg

(was thinking of this because I just picked up an old C&D that covers this car...)
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I sort of agree, but bottom line, you like it, too. :D

My boss was showing me this car on Ford website or something. It made me make "Ka" reference right away. I really like the look of the car, but I can respect the view of the haters, too. Classic love it/hate it look. Combined with the 1.0 EcoBoost, sounds pretty exciting to me. 👍
 
a6m5
I sort of agree, but bottom line, you like it, too. :D
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:lol:

Conservative and good looking don't always sell... if the production version is anywhere near as radical as this Ka-esque car, then it may just capture the imagination of buyers.

1 liter turbo? Yes, please. Been thinking of building something like that for laughs... take a 1.1 liter Hyundai i10 and outfitting it with a tiny snail.
 
niky
1 liter turbo? Yes, please. Been thinking of building something like that for laughs... take a 1.1 liter Hyundai i10 and outfitting it with a tiny snail.
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Tiny like a T91, right?

44742d1129864582turbone.jpg


:dopey:
 
I really love the look of this thing. The styling is kinda retro 50’s with a blend of modern technology. I am very interested in these sorts of small vehicles... as I almost bought a new Fiesta early last year. In a few years time, I’ll probably be searching for a sensible alternative to my other cars... and this takes me fancy. Unless the production version looks exactly like this, I’m not sure if I’d favour this design over Fords current kinetic design language.
 
Omnis
Tiny like a T91, right?

44742d1129864582turbone.jpg


:dopey:
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You do know... the engine's there to turn the wheels, not the turbo, right? I mean, I'd probably have to hook the output shaft straight to that one to get it to spool. :lol: :lol: :lol:

Might be the first ever turbo build where the words "parasitic losses" actually apply...
 
Looks like an Alfa / Lancia concept car, the only thing Ford in it is the badge. It looks quite ugly and the lights are way too extended.
 
i agree with above posters, it looks like it'd be a good replacement for Ka. it also looks like it'd make a good Autobot :P
 

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