Most Bond cars are made to impress. The Ford Ka in Quantum of Solace does the opposite: it is small, modest and entirely believable as the car of a woman getting about Haiti. It is the second-generation Ka, a three-door city car, and in our view the most unassuming vehicle in the whole series.
In the film
Camille Montes, played by Olga Kurylenko, drives the Ka in Haiti in Quantum of Solace (2008), where it is covered in Greene Planet logos. Daniel Craig’s Bond takes the place of the geologist who was due to meet Camille. A special edition is also recorded as having been made by Ford of Europe’s design team with the production designer, Dennis Gassner.
The Ford Ka in Quantum of Solace: the details
Small by design. The Ka is less than 3.6m long, with a short bonnet and a tall glasshouse that leaves room for four adults. It fits where larger cars cannot, which is the point of a city car.
A shared platform. Ford developed this generation with Fiat. It was built in Tychy, Poland, on the same line as the Fiat 500, the Panda and the Lancia Ypsilon, and it was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. Ford revised the suspension, adding a rear anti-roll bar that allowed softer springs and retuned dampers, so it rides a little more calmly than its Italian cousin.
Two engines, one gearbox. A 1.2-litre petrol of 69PS and a 1.3-litre TDCi diesel of 75PS were the choices, both with a five-speed manual. There was no automatic. Ford claimed 0 to 62mph in 13.4 seconds and a top speed of 99mph for the petrol, so this is not a car for hurrying.
A friendly cabin. The dashboard is finished in two tones, with a high-mounted gear lever, and the whole car is aimed at the urban commute. The rear bench folds to enlarge a small boot.
Owning it now
The second-generation Ka is out of production, so it can only be bought used, and the button searches eBay, where cars are listed through eBay Motors. A road-going example will not carry the Greene Planet livery unless someone has added it, and we would leave the bodywork as Ford made it.
Who it suits. A second car for town, a first car for a young driver, or an uncomplicated runabout for the country. We would choose the 1.2 petrol: Auto Express, which reviewed the car, also recommends it, and says the diesel hardly makes sense in a city car.
Which trim. Ford sold the Ka as Studio, Style, Grand Prix and Zetec, with the Titanium at the top. The Zetec added air conditioning, electric windows, a heated windscreen and a leather steering wheel. We would look for a well-documented Zetec.
What to expect. The Ka is not quick, and on a long run wind and tyre noise can intrude. It is stable and relaxed, though, and Auto Express found it capable of long journeys.
Specifications
| Model | Ford Ka, second generation (European version) |
|---|---|
| Production | 2008 to late 2016 in Europe; built by Fiat for Ford in Tychy, Poland |
| Body | Three-door hatchback, less than 3.6m long |
| Engines | 1.2-litre petrol, 69PS; 1.3-litre TDCi diesel, 75PS |
| Gearbox | Five-speed manual only |
| Performance (petrol) | 0 to 62mph in 13.4 seconds, top speed 99mph (manufacturer claims) |
| Economy and CO2 (petrol) | 57.7mpg claimed, 115g/km |
| Trims | Studio, Style, Grand Prix, Zetec, Titanium |
| RRP | Out of production; no current RRP |
Questions
What car does Camille drive in Quantum of Solace?
Camille Montes drives a small Ford Ka in Haiti, covered in Greene Planet logos. It is the second-generation car, which made its debut in the film.
Is the Ford Ka still made?
No. The Ford Ka was made from 1996 to 2021 across three generations. The second generation seen in the film was replaced in Europe in late 2016.
Is the Ka a Fiat 500 underneath?
In large part, yes. Ford developed it with Fiat on the 500’s architecture and built it at the same factory in Poland, though Ford retuned the suspension and steering.
Can you buy the film car?
We know of no film car for sale. A Ka from Quantum of Solace appears in a photograph at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. What you can buy is a used road-going Ka of the same generation, without the Greene Planet markings.
For more from the film, see our guide to Quantum of Solace, the Daniel Craig films and the rest of the vehicles.
