Ford Ka news - Red Ka-d - 2008

Ford's all-new Ka - the first all-new Ka in 12 years, in fact - is heading to the Paris show in early October.

And the big news - apart from the fact that Ford has actually got round to replacing its perennial little city car - is that it'll come with diesel power.

The current Ka has never had a diesel variant, but the new model - due to go on sale in the UK at the end of this year - will be available with the option of a 1.3-litre, 74bhp TDCi turbodiesel. It'll return an impressive 67.2mpg and, says Ford, emit less than 120g/km of CO2. Quite a bit less than 120g/km of CO2, we'd guess.

The diesel isn't expected to shift as many units as the 1.2-litre, 68bhp petrol motor, though. It'll manage just over 50mpg and, once again, cough out less than 120g/km of CO2.

In the cabin, Ford promises 'bold contrasts and expressive colours' which, we're told 'reflect the more adventurous tastes of the typical Ka customer'. If those garish seats are anything to go by, we're just a tiny bit worried.

On the plus side, the Ka should be properly kitted up, including heated windscreen, heated seats, Bluetooth, a USB port and optional hair straighteners attachment. The last of these may be a lie.

We'll get our first proper look at the Ka in Paris. Make sure you join us at TopGear.com for all the news from the s