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If the rumors circling the internets concerning the Ford Ka are to be believed, the tiny three-door may be looking at the end of the line… eventually. Inside Line is reporting that Ford is making bigger waves about bringing a production version of its Start concept to market as a replacement for the Ka, and the new car is likely to come packing a tiny EcoBoost three-cylinder engine under the hood. Word has it that the direct-injection, turbo 1.0-liter could be good for as much as 120 horsepower all while going easy on the gasoline.

The production version of the 2010 Beijing Motor Show starlet is expected to carry a price tag of ,000 and bow in markets like India, South America and China before spreading to the rest of the globe. As of right now, there’s no indication as to whether or not the Start will show up in the U.S., but it could prove to be a viable competitor to the likes of the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper. Of course, the rumors say that the Start isn’t slated for production until 2014, so this could all be smoke and mirrors. Besides, there’s no clear indication that even if the production car is Start-based, that it won’t be called the Ka when it arrives.

Live photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Inside Line]

Will Ford replace Ka with production version of Start concept? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Want your little car nut to stand out from the neighborhood pack of wheeled terrors? Go for one of these fantastic looking half-scale classics from the Vietnam-headquartered Harrington Group, and wave goodbye to mediocre renditions of roadgoing vehicles as little Bobby (or Bobbie) cruises in style. These replicas use composite for both the body and chassis, and the detailing is good enough that they look convincingly like the real thing. Until, that is, someone steps into the picture and you get a scale reference. The company claims to have distributors in the U.S. and U.K., as well as Canada and the Netherlands.

A range of gasoline engines brings real internal combustion thunder and the sweet smell of exhaust to the party. Engines start at 50cc and can go all the way up to a terrifyingly irresponsible racing kart unit. Automatic and manual transmissions are available and there is enough room for adults to ride along with their six-year-old and up progeny. Seats and pedals adjust, too, so when Junior is asleep, you can sneak out for a spin without feeling like a circus bear riding a tricycle.

Interestingly, Harrington Group also makes restoration products for real classic cars, including stainless steel reproduction bumpers and interiors for the Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen 2CV and BMW Isetta.

Fisher Price’s Power Wheels are extravagant enough that there’s a healthy trade in used battery-powered backyard buggies. Harrington has yet to respond to an Autoblog request for pricing information, but these cars are likely to be significantly north of the 0-0 you’ll spend on a tricked out Power Wheels at the local big box store. Available models are Porsche 356, Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Jaguar E-Type, Willys Jeep, and Bugatti T35, along with mini scooters that ape Vespas of yore. Put one of these under the tree this (fast approaching) Christmas, and you’ll see what the face of bliss looks like. Thanks for the tips, all!

[Source: Harrington Group]

Harrington’s half-size classics to start pint-sized car nuts early originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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During our favorite Southern California car meet this past weekend we were wondering what was drawing such a large crowd up front. We could clearly see the first Ferrari 458 Italia make an appearance off to the side, itself drawing quite a crowd, but something very interesting looked to be parked right alongside a beautiful Porsche Speedster hardtop. Anything that would draw attention away from the Ferrari and a classic Porsche had to be pretty impressive itself, so when we finally pushed through the throngs of admirers, we were a bit surprised to see the new Ford Start Concept.

The Start was unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show a few months ago and has since rested inside the Ford Design Studio. Lucky for us, the Ford crew decided this concept needed a bit of fresh air, so they drove it over to the meet-up and parked it front and center between the Speedster and an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Zagato, both said to be styling influences for the design team. The design was a huge hit with the attendees, admiring its stance and size as much as its striking styling cues. The rear pillar trusses got a lot of appreciative glances in particular, as did the interior.

Designers on hand wouldn’t comment on production plans for this little runabout, but the crowd seemed to want one – now – and we are right in line with them. This could easily be the look of the next Ford Ka, with a funky ferocity to that has us thinking of the original Mini more than the current BMW version. If nothing else the Start gives us an even clearer vision of what Ford’s “Post-Kinetic” design language will generate in future models. One feature we know we’ll be seeing more of its the engine: The Start features the new Ecoboost 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, which is said to be good for 120 horsepower in this application. Click on the gallery below to see even more pics of the Start in the wild.

Photos by Frank Filipponio/Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Ford Start Concept gives informal SoCal show an eco-boost originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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