Following the release of the first official photos back in July, we now have the initial specifications on the 2009 Ford Ka that will make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in early October. The fresh-faced, all-new Ka that shares its platform with the Fiat 500 will be available in major European markets by late 2008/early 2009. The Ka will be produced at Fiat’s manufacturing plant in Tychy, Poland, sharing the production line with the Fiat 500 model.
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When Ford launched the new Kuga compact SUV/Crossover in Europe during May 2008, the only available engine was the 136 HP 2.0-litre TDCi diesel unit. That will change in early 2009 as Ford will extend the Kuga range with the availability of a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbo petrol engine found in the Focus ST as well as in the new Mondeo and S-Max models. Ford recalibrated the 2.5L unit for the Kuga as it now develops a maximum output of 200 HP (versus the Focus ST’s 225HP) at 6,000 rpm and a linear torque peak of 320 Nm available from 1,600 up to 4,000.
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The next-generation Ford Focus small car will prove that Ford Motor Co. has finally figured out how to do a global car.

The North American and European versions of the Focus will share 90 percent of their parts, up from approximately 20 percent for the current editions, Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas, said on Wednesday.

In addition, the North American car and other small car derivatives built off a new global platform will deliver a double-digit percentage profit improvement compared with the company’s current North American Focus, he said. He declined to specify the current car’s profitability.
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Sure, you’ve these pics before (though not in high-res), but Ford has now officially revealed its all-new Ka that will be the automaker’s big debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October this year. Unfortunately, they neglected to release any details about the car, instead throwing out a bunch adjectives like “fresh, funky and fun” and “fashionable, modern” and “youthful and cheeky”. None of those confirm what engines will be offered or what kind of fuel economy the car achieves. We do know the Ka will share its underpinnings with the Fiat 500 and be built in the same factory in Poland, so it would be safe to assume that Ford’s “cheeky” hatch will use similarly high quality materials and be built tight as a drum, as well. Engine choices are presumed to be 1.4L and 1.6L petrol powerplants and a 1.6L diesel, and a hot ST version using the 500′s turbo 1.4L is rumored to be arriving later.

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Yesterday brought the sneak peek, but today we’ve got the real deal. The new Ford Focus RS is is mean and green (we mean that in the literal sense, thanks to its killer-looking paint color), and it will make its debut at this month’s London Motor Show. While the RS is still under development, the car being put on display isn’t exactly a concept, either. Some details might change here and there before it reaches showrooms in 2009, but ultimately, what you see here is what European drivers are going to get. The wide, low-slung stance, intimidating fascia, racy dual exhaust, and requisite high-mount spoiler are all part of the package. Follow the jump for more
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