Car Star: Mitsubishi Colt

There is little reason why the Mitsubishi Colt is not as popular as some of its supermini rivals, OK so it looks a bit like a wedge of cheese or a doorstop, but there is something undeniably rugged and even sexy about this manly looking supermini.

With front styling influenced by Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution and featuring the signature ‘jet fighter’ grille, the Colt can hold its own in a market dominated by the Honda Jazz and the Ford Fiesta, especially since it is around £3,000 cheaper than its rivals.

OK so it isn’t the most exciting ride of your life and doesen’t live up to its Lancer Evolution-like looks, especially as the range starts with a weedy 1.1 litre engine. This range does rise to a feistier 1.5; only sadly there is only a petrol engine is available. Despite the lack of choice, the Colt actually drives with quite some punch, the 1.1 litre engine generating 74 lb of torque at 4,000 revs, and while the ride is typical of a skate-like supermini, it is no guiltier of compromising road handling than its pricey rivals. In fact a journey in the Colt should perhaps be best described as ‘lively’.

Besides the latest edition Colt (revised in November 2008) has other virtues too, while I might mock its shape for making me think ‘Tom and Jerry’, its choice of outline means that headroom is generous especially for rear-seat passengers while legroom is also considerate for its size. So slap that on your crackers if you can.

OK it is still outclassed in style, fuel efficiency and space by the Jazz and the Fiesta but that is not to say that the Colt is inefficient. In fact the ClearTec edition (Mitsubishi’s answer to the likes of the Bluemotion and Econetic brands) is brilliantly frugal, achieving 56.5 mpg (combined) and producing just 112g/km of CO2. This eco-friendly edition utilises stop/start technology to switch off the engine when it’s not required. Other adaptation as seen of the Fiesta Econetic, like low rolling resistance tyres and longer gear ratios eeek out the extra miles to the gallon.

Best of all is the Colt’s residual values. Best-in-class, the current edition Mitsubishi Colt introduced in November 2008 beat some notable rivals such as the Mazda2, new Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris and Vauxhall Corsa to boast that the CZ1 and CZ2 3-door variants had predicted residual value of 77 per cent of their new value after 12-months / 10,000 miles and 41 per cent after 3-years / 60,000 miles.1 The 5-door CZ1 performed well too, with 76 per cent and 41 per cent residual values predicted over the same 1-year and 3-year periods.

And it’s not without other considerations either, a good level of kit comes as standard even on the entry level CZ1 spec including CD player, electric front windows with anti-trap, antilock brakes with EBD, engine immobiliser, remote central locking and colour coded front and rear bumpers. The CZ2 specification gains 16” alloy wheels, air conditioning, remote audio controls, front fog lights, cruise control and heated electric door mirrors. All new models will come fitted with the latest safety technology – Emergency Stop signal System (ESS), and ‘coming home’ lighting.

Top this with Mitsubishi’s three year unlimited mileage warranty, and three years pan-European roadside, home and accident assistance. The Mitsubishi Service Plan also means your covered for the first three scheduled services and costs just £225 (£295 for the ClearTec & Ralliart).

The range offers both 3- and 5-door options. A 74bhp 1.1 features in the CZ1, while the CZ2, from £9099 gains a 94bhp 1.3 litre powerplant. A turbocharged, 147bhp 1.5 litre engine powers the flagship Ralliart model. With truly sporting pace, Colt Ralliart sprints to 62mph in just 7.4 seconds (7.6 in 5 door guise) and onto a potential maximum speed of 131mph. A nice slice of sport level performance priced from just £12,349. Ford and Honda don’t even come close, the best comparison is the Ford Fiesta Titanium 1.6 3dr for more than £2,000 more, at £14, 7495, which achieves 0-62 miles in 9.9 seconds.

There is also an option for a six-speed Allshift AMT (automated manual transmission) which lends sportier responses and improved fuel consumption to the CZ2 spec. This self-shifting transmission is available on the 1.3 CZ2 for just £500 more.

And don’t forget the Colt convertible to make the most of the latest few warm days of the year, enjoy it from just £9999 for the 1.5 CZC1 Cabriolet. Its no wonder the Colt averages four out of five stars on RoadTestReports.co.uk currently, it’s a cracking little super supermini, and RoadTestReports.co.uk advises you check it out before opting for a more mainstream choice.

Author: Faye Sunderland, September 1st, 2009
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