Mitsubishi Colt Coupe Cabriolet Concept

By Motoring Channel Staff

Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled the new Colt coupe-cabriolet concept, developed with the cooperation of Pininfarina of Italy as a cabriolet version of the Colt.

The cute little Mitsubishi was unveiled at the 75th Geneva International Motor Show that runs through the first two weeks of March 1 at the Geneva Palexpo exhibition and conference complex.

The Colt coupe-cabriolet concept car derives from the 3-door Colt CZ3 assembled at Mitsubishi Motors' NedCar facility in the Netherlands.

The compact cabriolet model takes its concept and design cues from the CZ2 Cabriolet displayed by the company at the 2003 Geneva International Motor Show and is due to go into production at Pininfarina early in 2006.

Mitsubishi Motors brought several new models to market in Europe in 2004 and the Colt was joined by the Grandis MPV and the Lancer Evolution high-performance 4WD sports sedan.

The European Colt has won several critical accolades including "Das Goldene Lenkrad" (the Golden Steering Wheel) presented by the German Sunday newspaper "Bild am Sonntag", while the Lancer Evolution, Grandis and the Outlander crossover models have also received awards for their vehicle concepts, high performance, build and presentation quality.

It comes as no surprise that this new model assault has seen Mitsubishi vehicle sales in Europe grow by 8.6% in 2004, when compared to 2003 sales.

Back to the new retractable hardtop Colt, it joins 3- and 5-door models, offering 2+2 seating and boot space for the hardtop within a compact size, which, at 3885mm overall, is just 75mm longer than the Colt CZ3 from which it derives.

Powered by the same turbocharged 1.5-litre MIVEC engine as the Colt CZT, the new convertible Colt concept makes 110kW (150hp) @ 6000rpm and 210Nm of torque @ 3500rpm, endowing the spritely drop top with a distinct performance edge.

The exterior design -- crafted around what Mitsubishi calls the Colt's hallmark 'One Motion Form' -- effectively melds straight lines and soft shapes with styling that gives eloquent notice of the car's potent performance. Distinguishing elements include a deeply raked front windshield, unique V-shape rear combination lamps and a linear-design high mount auxiliary stop lamp in the boot lid.

Inside the car, the interior trim adopts an orange suede keynote in using sporty and fine quality colours and materials ideally suited to a cabriolet model.

Sitting on 18-inch alloy wheels, the head-turning Colt CC concept will go into production in early 2006, and echoes Mitsubishi Motors first ever show car - the 1962 Colt 600 Convertible, a vehicle which plays an important part in Mitsubishi's history.