Performance Review: Ford KA Street KA - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford KA Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford KA Street KA is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Ford KA has a 1597cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The KA shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the KA's Front Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1061 kgs (2339 lbs) this makes the Ford KA Street KA in the same weight category as the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford KA shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1597cc 8V St4 engine produces 94 bhp (70 kW) @ 5500 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 100 lb-ft (135.5 Nm) @ 4250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford KA you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1993 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V (113.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford KA.

The Ford KA has a Power to weight ratio of 88.5 bhp per ton and 94.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 KA competing with the 1993 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V (113.5 bhp per ton) or the 2001 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 Sport SRi (113.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford KA generating around 94.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2002 Ford Focus ST 170 (119.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (119.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 10.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.2 secs, this made the Ford KA Street KA as fast as the 1984 Talbot Samba Rallye 1.2 (10.80 secs) the 1963 Ford Falcon 1st Gen Sports Hardtop 260 V8 4-Speed (10.80 secs) the 1947 Ferrari 125 S 1.5L V12 (10.80 secs) the or the 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue 6.8 V8 (10.90 secs). This Ford KA Street KA is also faster than the 1975 Rolls-Royce Camargue 6.8 V8 (10.90 secs) the 1961 Triumph TR4 2.1L (10.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Ranger Double Cab High Rider 3.2 TDCI (11.00 secs) the and the 2011 Dacia Sandero 1.6 16v (11.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the KA and the 2002 Ford Mondeo ST220

When talking about the performance of the Ford KA on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.11 secs @ 75.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 (18.03 secs), the 2004 BMW 5 Series 535d M-Sport Saloon Auto E60 (18.05 secs), and the 2001 MG ZR 1.8i VVC 160 (18.09 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Ford KA Street KA has a maximum speed of 108mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 KA equals the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Ford KA Street KA then how about the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (119 mph), the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (119 mph), or the 1985 Toyota MR2 Mk1 (119 mph).

Related Links:

2002 KA Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison