The new Ford Ka is perhaps one of the more important world debuts at the Paris Motor Show, and will mean a lot more to the public than a Lamborghini Estoque ever will.

For the first time it could be sold in America too, following the decision to take the all-new Fiesta there in 2010. It follows a crashing market and halting SUV and pickup sales after spiraling petrol costs.

If it does make it, they’ll be getting what is only the second version of the Ka – despite it hitting Europe way back in 1996. The outgoing car has done without styling revisions yet continued to sell well, earmarking it as a design classic.

A tough act to follow for Ka Mk2, then. And on first impressions, it isn’t as standout as the car it replaces, sliding subtly into the Ford line-up with none of the controversy that surrounded the first Ka.

It has been co-developed with the Fiat 500, and Ford is keen to ape the style and creativity of the Italian by parading a selection of Kas daubed in stripes and different designs. This red and white model, called the Grand Prix, is the smartest of the lot and could give clues to a potential Ka ST (using the Abarth 500’s 1.4-litre turbo) to replace the SportKa. Whether that car happens remains to be seen.

For now though, you can choose from two engines – a 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol and a 74bhp 1.3-litre diesel. A 1.4-litre petrol is on the cards too, and a Fiat-developed two-cylinder 900cc unit could even appear. Expect to pay from £7k for a Ka when it hits the streets in early 2009.