THIS year saw a complete departure for the Blue Badge marque.
Ford boldly went where it had never ventured before and launched its first European two-seat roadster, the Streetka.
Based on the now familiar Ka, the Streetka brings wind in the hair motoring to many more people. Priced at £12,495, or £13,745 for the luxury version, Streetka offers affordable ownership with insurance grouping at a low 7A and fuel economy at 35.8 mpg.
Ford is doing what BMC did years ago with the Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midget - offering affordable two seat driving to the motoring masses.
With its easy-fold soft top, alloy wheels and bright paint colours, Streetka certainly looks the gear.
It is uncompromisingly sporty. Seats are so firm that I found the backs just a tad too hard, but this is the car which appeals to a younger generation that adores firm seating.
Its exterior looks are just sassy, but this is not an over the top style statement - it is a carefully thought out model that gives a lot, including such safety features as ABS, driver and passenger airbags, height-adjustable driver's seat, 16-inch alloy wheels, power-heated door mirrors, front fog lamps, CD player and power windows.
The Luxury Streetka also offers heated leather seats, height adjustable passenger seat and air conditioning with options of a six-CD autochanger and metallic paint across the range.
If you are an enthusiastic driver, Streetka will not disappoint. Its handling is razor sharp and it is extremely stable in heavy cornering.
In recent years Ford has become the marque to go for when it comes to handling. The Mondeo has proved this fact and Streetka is on track to achieve cult car status with fans of pure driving quality.
Buying an open car always carries with it a security worry and to cope with this Ford offers a standard Thatcham CAT1 perimeter alarm, remote control central locking, engine immobiliser and secure boot. It is this high attention to security that has endowed Streetka with a low insurance group.
An attention getter in looks, Streetka can also cut the mustard in the power department with its 1.6 litre Duratec 8v 95PS engine which is a zippy, flexible unit that can zoom Streetka from 0-62 mph in 12.1 seconds .
FAST FACTS
Ford Streetka Luxury 1.6i
Price: £13,645
Mechanical: 94bhp, 1,599cc 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 107mph
0-62mph: 12.1 secs
Combined mpg: 35.8
Insurance group: 7
CO2 emissions: 189g/km
BiK rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 6yrs anti-rust