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Ford Start to Enter Production in 2014

The Ford Start concept came to the world earlier this year, being introduced at the Beijing Auto Show.

Ford presented the vehicle and gave birth to multiple speculations that it is preparing a revolutionary successor for the Ka supermini. Actually, the automaker unveiled two novelties: the concept itself and its engine. We are talking about the smallest version of an Ecoboost engine (the unit has a displacement of 1.0 liters and uses three cylinders).

Now, autocar reports that Ford could be working on a production version of the Start, with the vehicle being scheduled to enter the market in 2014 and come with a price of around $13,000. It seems that the vehicle, which is set to become a global performer, will initially be introduced in emerging markets, such as China and India.

Ford has chosen to use a lightweight approach for the Start: the vehicle’s body panels are made from pre-colored composites, while the body uses a combination of aluminum and high-strength steel. The design of the vehicle is an evolution of Ford’s kinetic concept. This was created by a global team of designers at Ford's Irvine, California Strategic Concepts Group Studios.

As for the engine, this uses Ford’s latest downsizing developments, such as advanced turbocharging and a spark-ignited direct injection fuel management system. The unit promises to offer an output comparable to that of a naturally aspirated unit with a capacity of 1.4 liters, while emitting less than 100 grams of CO2 per km. Ford said that the powerplant is set for production in the near future. Expect the unit to be installed on multiple Ford models, such as the Fiesta and the Focus.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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