So we’ve seen pictures of the new Ford Ka, and I have to say I’m not sold on it yet.
Okay, so the gaping Ford face was always going to be an awkward addition to such a small car, and following in the footsteps of a phenomenon like the original Ka was also never going to be easy.
But am I the only one that thinks it looks like the stunted lovechild of a new Fiesta and a Vauxhall Corsa?
I’m particularly disappointed because I am almost exactly the target audience for the Ka. Twenty-something women such as myself should be rushing out and selling our handbag collections in order to raise the funds for a deposit right now. Frankly, I think I'll keep the handbags.
This is just my initial reaction, and there have been lots of recent cars that appeared dreadful in their first shots but then looked great on the road: both the Jag XF and Volkswagen Scirocco spring to mind.
And, of course, the new Ka will have all the stuff that the old one didn't manage, including modern engines, decent safety equipment and plenty of toys.
But the whole essence of the original Ka was to be great even in its most basic, student-friendly trim. It didn't matter than you had to wind your own windows, or that the engine was born sometime in the early 1950s. After thirty seconds on a twisty 'B' road, all that ceased to matter.
I just hope the new Ka hasn't become so concerned with fashion and toys that it loses it's most important selling point: the ability to offer fun, stylish and unpretentious bargain motoring.