1998 Ford Turing Ka - AllCarIndex

Official press release:

GHIA TURING KA CONCEPT DEBUTS AT TURIN SHOW

TURIN, 9 April, 1998 -- The Turing Ka, a 4-door, 4-seater concept car based on the successful Ford Ka, is unveiled on the Ghia stand at the Turin International Motor Show.

“Ka has an extremely inspirational and thought-provoking design. You really feel a passion for Ka and want to take the concept into new territories and different roles, to build on its success. That is exactly what we have done here, ” said the head of Ghia, Filippo Sapino.

The Turing Ka has been designed as a sophisticated sports wagon, not only for urban driving, but also for long distance touring. The stretched Ka platform uses many carry-over body parts, including the tailgate and most of the roof. Wide wheel arches accommodate 17” racing wheels with low-profile 205/40 tyres, and the exhaust now exits at the centre.

Turing Ka is fitted with the 1.7-litre 125 PS Zetec SE engine normally found in the Ford Puma, which it powers to a top speed of 203 km/h. Powerful 4-wheel disc brakes complete the performance credentials. Puma and Ka are both built on the acclaimed Fiesta chassis, and the appearance of the Turing Ka underlines once more the variety of vehicles, each with very different character, which can be developed from the right common platform.

The new tailored interior design reflects the freshness of Ka, but adds deep bucket seats finished in dark blue and tan leather and wild boar suede to underline its sporting character. A complete set of soft luggage makes the most of the Turin Ka ’s luggage space. Outside, the striking Zinc Yellow paintwork contrasts with titanium-grey bumpers.

“There is a strong visual link to Ka - we have just allowed ourselves to explore one dimension of its character. The result is a Ka on steroids ” said Filippo Sapino. “Ford have now asked us to examine other concepts, also based on Ka, which will fulfill different needs".

Ghia Turing Ka concept debuts at Turin show

The Turing Ka, a 4-door, 4-seater concept car based on the successful Ford Ka, is unveiled on the Ghia stand at the Turin International Motor Show.

"Ka has an extremely inspirational and thought-provoking design. You really feel a passion for Ka and want to take the concept into new territories and different roles, to build on its success. That is exactly what we have done here," said the head of Ghia, Filippo Sapino.

The Turing Ka has been designed as a sophisticated sports wagon, not only for urban driving, but also for long distance touring. The stretched Ka platform uses many carry-over body parts, including the tailgate and most of the roof. Wide wheel arches accommodate 17" racing wheels with low-profile 205/40 tyres, and the exhaust now exits at the centre.

Turing Ka is fitted with the 1.7-litre 125 PS Zetec SE engine normally found in the Ford Puma, which it powers to a top speed of 203 km/h. Powerful 4-wheel disc brakes complete the performance credentials. Puma and Ka are both built on the acclaimed Fiesta chassis, and the appearance of the Turing Ka underlines once more the variety of vehicles, each with very different character, which can be developed from the right common platform.

The new tailored interior design reflects the freshness of Ka, but adds deep bucket seats finished in dark blue and tan leather and wild boar suede to underline its sporting character. A complete set of soft luggage makes the most of the Turin Ka’s luggage space. Outside, the striking Zinc Yellow paintwork contrasts with titanium-grey bumpers.

"There is a strong visual link to Ka - we have just allowed ourselves to explore one dimension of its character. The result is a Ka on steroids" said Filippo Sapino. "Ford have now asked us to examine other concepts, also based on Ka, which will fulfill different needs".

SOURCE: Ford

Ford introduced the Ka (named for an ancient Egyptian animating spirit) as a concept in 1994. Using the Fiesta's engine and powertrain, Ka filled the gap left at the base of Ford's model range by the Fiesta's growth into a larger, more powerful and more luxurious position. Two years later, in 1996, the Ka entered production, the first production series using Ford's "New Edge" styling, and immediately held its own against established competition from Renault's Twingo and Fiat's Cinquecento. In designing Ka, Ford recognized that an important market segment considered their automobile's environmental impact in its selection process. Ka responded to that concern by being small and emissions-sensitive.

A further two years brought Ghia's elaboration on Ka's concept, the Turing Ka, its name cleverly typeset to emphasize Ghia's Turin heritage. Ghia Turing Ka concept's design recognized that environmental impact was only one factor to Ka buyers' environmental concerns. Another was the ability to enjoy the natural environment their activism was preserving. Ghia Turing Ka is loaded with natural textures and materials. The four bucket seats are upholstered in suede leather accented with grained leather trim which extends even to the luggage compartment. Even the headliner and sun visors are beige suede-like material. It is provided with matching blue cloth and suede soft luggage, boldly embroidered with Ghia's Turing Ka logo.

The Ghia Turing Ka concept is a unique 4-door hatchback wagon, which was constructed on a standard Ka chassis which was lengthened a number of inches to provide plenty of interior space for the impedimenta of outdoor activities plus a roof rack for overflow. Big one-piece OZ cast alloy wheels have low profile 215/40ZR-17 Pirelli P7000 tires. Typical of New Age designs, Ghia Turing Ka concept's nose and tail have matte silver accent panels that emphasize its brilliant yellow paint. The materials and textures employed by Ghia in creating and presenting Ghia Turing Ka concept's interior recall Taru Lahti's dramatic 1992 Ghia Focus concept. It features body color metal to accent its luxurious leather. The small steering wheel has a thick wooden rim. Interior metal trim on the instrument panel, dashboard and console is naturally finished. Even the roof rack was attended to and this has been finished with an engine turned style. This concept also comes equipped with a matching set of luggage.

Only the left side doors of the Ghia Turing Ka concept operate. The windshield and hatch window are glass; other glazing is plexiglass and does not operate. The mast of the windshield header-mounted radio antenna is missing. Instruments are dummies. Exterior paint is in excellent condition as is the interior, although the driver's seat shows some wear. The right side bodywork of the Ghia Turing Ka, including the doors, and the rear bodywork are constructed of fiberglass.

Ghia's Turing Ka concept artfully combines practicality and style in a functional package that employs the artful and creative use of organic materials and textures pioneered in the 1992 Ghia Focus concept to create a unique and practical concept that abounds in pleasing details.

SOURCE: Christie’s