Ford Ka+ Facelift Unveiled With Crossover-Esque Active Version

Although the all-new Focus won't grace us with its presence at the forthcoming 2018 Geneva Motor Show, Ford will still have something (relatively) fresh to show. The Blue Oval's cheapest car on sale in Europe is going through a nip and tuck bringing along a rugged-looking Active version in the same vein as the Fiesta Active launched last year.

This new pseudo crossover is more than just a styling pack as aside from the typical plastic body cladding, it also benefits from a jacked-up suspension (+23 millimeters / 0.9 inches), a wider track as well as a bigger front anti-roll bar. Not only that, but Ford's engineers also fiddled with the electronic power steering to make the Ka+ Active feel more like a crossover rather than a city car. Other updates include retuned dampers enabling a smoother ride when driving on bumpy roads, while the revised Active Rollover Prevention system provides enhanced security when you have luggage strapped onto the roof.

Beyond the newly added Active specification, the Ka+ has gained a thrifty 1.5-liter turbodiesel engine rated at 94 horsepower and producing a maximum torque of 215 Newton-meters (159 pound-feet) from 1,750 rpm. Easy on the wallet, the TDCi unit emits only 99 g/km of CO2 and benefits from a system called "Smart Regenerative Charging" to further improve fuel efficiency by automatically engaging the alternator to charge the battery when the vehicle is braking and coasting.

On the gasoline side, gone is the old 1.2-liter Duratec as instead the pint-sized car has gained an all-new Ti-VCT engine of the same displacement that can be had with either 69 hp or 84 hp. It has many things in common with the larger 1.5-liter EcoBoost mill inside the new Euro-spec Fiesta ST and aims to deliver improved efficiency as well as a quieter operation, with less engine noise penetrating the cabin. Regardless if it's a gasoline or diesel, a five-speed manual gearbox is in charge of sending power to the front wheels for both the regular Ka+ and the new Ka+ Active.

Despite being Ford's entry-level offering on the old continent, the Ka+ doesn't skimp on features. It has the company's SYNC 3 infotainment system with a 6.5-inch color touchscreen as well as both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. It even packs niceties such as heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, heated windscreen, along with rear parking sensors and automatic climate control – all while offering an ample amount of room for a car in this segment.

Ford will have the Ka+ and its more versatile Active derivative on sale in Europe later this year.