Ghia 'StreetKa' spider concept debuts at Turin show

The "StreetKa" is a two-door, two-seat, spider concept based on the Ford Ka, featuring a fully concealed canvas top, wider stance and performance look that make it ready for any street-track racing adventure.

"Inspiration for the StreetKa concept came from studying the diverse European youth culture and the constantly evolving trends in street fashion, music and film," said Filippo Sapino, managing director, Ghia S.p.A. "We have taken the already fashionable Ford Ka and given it an urban, street spider look and feel."

The exterior design of the StreetKa builds on the distinctive features of the Ford Ka - which was introduced in 1996 as the first production vehicle to feature "New Edge" design. "New Edge" combines smooth sculpted surfaces with clean, crisp intersections to produce a sharper, more defined image.

The StreetKa exterior body panels are finished in a mauve tinted, silver metallic paint complemented by a dark-blue canvas top. It features six-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in 17-inch, specially sculpted Pirelli racing tires that are set to the edges of the wheel wells, giving the StreetKa a wider, performance stance. New headlights and fenders add to the unique look of this street-sports car concept.

The interior features two, racing style bucket seats trimmed in dark blue leather. The instrument panel is made of a translucent plastic material with anodized aluminum accents and features adjustable gauges giving the driver the flexibility to switch from urban driving to track racing in a matter of minutes.

The driving gauges, which display an analogue speedometer and radio/CD controls, can be rotated to reveal a chronograph lap timer and a rev counter.

The structural reinforcements on the interior and two aluminum roll bars add to the full safety and stability of the passenger compartment. Two aluminum bulkheads are positioned at the front and rear of the compartment and are connected by four longitudinal extruded beams that also function as concealed seat tracks.

The StreetKa is powered by a 1.7 VVC-litre Zetec engine and features the suspension and drivetrain recently developed for the Puma race car.

SOURCE: Ford