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Are you sure it started the engine?

Usually, these things start a fuel-fired auxiliary heater of some sort, which heats the engine coolant without the engine being run. This is cycled through the car's heater matrix while the fans are on to warm the cabin and the engine.

On the subject though - yes you can, and it's already been though of. Webasto do several products (most of which would even fit your Ka) that do exactly as you describe.

It would almost certainly be possible to hack an existing installation too to have a phone-activated switch on it, particularly as most of the OEMs use Webasto kit anyway so you'd be able to rig up the phone interface.
( rubberduck should only be used after consulting with your GP, Fri 9 Jan 2009, 13:43, Reply)