First view: Ford Ka II

Icon is an overused word these days and I'm not sure the Ka qualifies, but it is certain that replacing such a strong, successful, long lived design was always going to be a challenge. Unfortunately even if allowance is made for this, the new effort falls some way short. Although the original was nominally the first 'new edge' Ford, the reality is that the Ka stood apart from the Ford design continuum: it was the bold and clean graphics that were a key element to Ka's look - and to it's longevity. Not only was it a strong design in absolute terms, it was all the more impressive given the rather staid, already long in the tooth Fiesta platform from which it sprung.

There's just too much going on with the new car and yet the result is pretty anonymous – it almost looks like the Hyundai i10's little brother. OK, maybe not quite – but it's not as far ahead as it should be. I'm yet to be convinced by the 'kinetic design' look but it was applied skillfully to the new Fiesta – however using it on anything smaller becomes increasingly difficult with it's large frowny mouth, sculpted flanks & dramatically rising beltline. Maybe if the design had been freed from this constraint we might have had a cleaner more distinctive result.

The front end works less well than the Fiesta, and detailing on the trapezoid grille currently being used by Ford (amongst others) could be better – a more defined form would have worked better, and interest around the badge area is needed: currently the nose lacks a focal point. We'll see if this bears out in the flesh, but in some photos the sheer size (mainly in terms of length) of the headlight in relation to both the bonnet and side glazing is odd: it seems too big for the rest of the car (but somehow it doesn't seem big nosed overall.) The interaction between the headlight, bonnet-fender shutline and form in the bonnet is fussy but given the elements involved it's hard to see how it could have been much tidier: ultimately there's too much going on.   From the rear ¾ there is more than a hint of the current Corsa in the rear quarter window and taillights – and given how old the Corsa is, there's no excuse for this. Yes, the quarter circle rear window graphic is common to both, but it is the shape of the rear light and how it leads into the rear fender line that has nothing to do with the Ka and everything to do with the Corsa. Only not as well executed: the light unit itself is amorphous, and the relationship between the fender line and negative surfacing in the flank is awkward. The clean, circular tailgate shutline – a key Ka cue – has been dropped when it could have easily been incorporated, and the uncertain rear screen graphic and fussy handle don't help. We know that this a cheap runaround, but does the rear bumper have to look like it? The licence plate recess is particularly bad.   It's not possible to make a true assessment without sitting in it, but from the photo it doesn't look like the interior will feel as special as it's Fiat 500 sibling, and it lacks that spark of cleverness that marked the original's at launch. The door pulls look quite elegant, but couldn't that white finish been applied to some of the switchgear instead of the regulation black? The air vents are a good variation on the circular theme, but the passenger side dash and glovebox look like they come pre-crumpled.    I cannot conceive that this design will last as long as it's predecessor – it's too generic, too fussy to be that special. I still wouldn't list myself as a fan of retro, but if this is the best 'modern' design can do I'll take it's prettier sister every time.