Mitsubishi's Micro Machine

Mitsubishi Motors has unveiled its new Colt, the Company's entry into the increasingly popular sub-compact 5-door hatch premium market segment.

The Colt will sell for $18,990 for the LS variant, and $20,990 for XLS when it goes on sale in September in Australia.

Competing with the likes of the Mazda2 and Toyota Echo, Mitsubishi decided that the Colt needed to offer high class exterior and interior designs as well as solid safety levels and good performance.

The crystal-like headlamps are given a 3-D styling treatment behind their clear lenses to project a look of functional elegance and fine quality.

The rear combination lamps are tall and highly visible, and the high mount stop lamp is located at the top of the tailgate to also improve visibility.

There is a slight peak in the metalwork of the tailgate, just above the Mitsubishi three diamond logo, that adds character to the rear of the car.

The aerodynamic exterior mirror design repels water droplets when driving in the rain. Mounting the mirrors on the doors improves forward visibility, and the mirrors can be retracted for parking in tight spaces.

Colt has body-coloured front and rear bumpers, outer door and tailgate handles, and exterior mirrors and the LS has 14-inch steel rims with full wheel covers, while XLS has 15-inch alloys as standard.

XLS also gets metal look headlamp accents, mesh-type centre grille, colour coded side and rear spoiler, and parabolic fog lamps in the lower front bumper. Privacy glass is standard on XLS.

The radio antenna is mounted in the centre of the front of the roof, and inside the spritely new Mitsu, the dash and instrument panel is a sweeping wraparound design that flows into the centre panel.

The interior feel is a bluish-grey based colour scheme using a glossy dark grey with a hint of blue for the centre panel, and a metallic look finish for the garnish panels (air outlet rings, power window switch panels, and combination cluster outer) that creates a casual and sporty mood inside the car.

The seats are upholstered in a light grey cloth with a sheen finish, and the side trim panels uses a dark blue cloth to complement the sporty, hi-tech look.

Colt tops its class in terms of interior space roominess, and careful attention to seat shape and seated height means occupants enjoy outstanding comfort and forward visibility, with easy and natural entry and exit. The car’s long – 2500mm – wheelbase accounts for 65% of its overall length, and results in a generously roomy interior cabin space.

The car comes with two individual front seats that have a generous 250mm travel (and 50mm height adjustment for the driver’s seat).

The rear bench seat, with its 50:50 split seat back, has 150mm travel adjustment, and the backrests recline through 20° from vertical. 50mm higher than the front seats, the raised rear seats give the occupants excellent visibility. Folding and tumbling the rear seat forward will create a cavernous 594 litres of cargo space.

A lot of thought has gone into the interior to ensure there are many storage areas – the glove box, steering column under tray, front cup holders, front door bottle holders, front door pockets, passenger seat back pockets (on side of seat and on rear of seat), convenience hook on passenger seat back, and under seat storage on passenger seat.

Some of the standard features of the Colt are as follows:

air conditioning (with pollen filter)
column-mounted gear shift
power steering
power windows
power door mirrors (with fold control)
two-speed windscreen wipers with intermittent control
rear wiper and washer with intermittent control
tilt steering column
room map and cargo room lamps
ignition key reminder
ignition key cylinder illumination
AM/FM radio with single CD audio unit (4 speakers),
two child safety seat anchorages
childproof rear door locks

The high-end Colt XLS models gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, centre console systems tray and tachometer additional to the impressive list of standard features on the LS model.

The new Colt is powered by a new generation engine that achieves a balance between performance, fuel economy and cleanliness.

Integrated electronic management of Mitsubishi’s own MIVEC (Mitsubishi Innovative Valve lift and timing Electronic Control) engine and the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) powertrain is just one of the cutting-edge technologies Colt employs.

It delivers superior levels of dynamic performance, fuel economy and clean emissions, thereby delivering premium class levels of road and environmental performance.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine with MIVEC strikes the optimum balance between generating gutsy power and torque while returning easy-on-the-pocket fuel economy and clean emissions.

With its short stroke (75.5mm X 82.0mm) design, optimised intake port configuration and intake valve timing for all engine speeds, the 1.5 engine delivers stress-free performance across the whole rev range while still returning outstanding fuel economy. The engine delivers 72kW @ 6000rpm and 132Nm of torque @ 4250rpm, while returning a frugal 6.4 litres/100km fuel economy.

The INVECS III Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) comes to the Australian market for the first time in Colt. Because the transmission is the latest generation of Mitsubishi’s acclaimed INVECS intelligent transmissions it is computer controlled to ‘learn’ individual driver’s driving style. With the infinitely variable ratios (between 2.319 and 0.445), the CVT ensures both performance and efficiency under all conditions. The gearshift lever is column-mounted.

Steering is power-assisted rack and pinion, and the turning circle is a tight 9.4 metres.

When mated to the suspension that has been developed and finely tuned to give a good balance between handling stability and a flat comfortable ride, the Colt should be a joy to drive, and it will be interesting to see how it stacks up against the competition.

It uses a new design MacPherson strut arrangement at the front, while the rear suspension is a new H-shaped torsion beam arrangement. This very compact assembly locates the coil springs under the rear floor, and the shock absorbers as far outboard as possible, to give roomy cabin space.

Colt adopts a new 3-point inertial-axis engine mount system that uses liquid-filled insulators. Together with the location of the transmission inside the side members to reduce offset, and the fitting of stabiliser bars to the high-rigidity cross members to spread roll reaction forces, this gives a significant reduction in noise, vibration and harshness.

Braking for Colt is done by ventilated disc brakes with one-pot calipers in the front, and drum brakes in the rear. ABS and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) is fitted standard for quick, straight and sure stops every time.

Fitted with 14-inch steel rims with full-size wheel covers Colt LS is shod with 175/65R14 radial ply tyres as standard, while XLS wears 15-inch alloy wheels fitted with 185/55R15 radial ply tyres as standard. The spare tyre is a T15/70D14 temporary use tyre fitted to a steel rim.

Safety has not been neglected, and Colt comes with an abundance of safety features as standard, such as the ‘straight frame rail’ design that realises outstanding body stiffness, strength and crashworthiness.

Driver and passenger airbags are standard, and side and curtain airbags (available from September 2004 production) are optional on both models.

Other safety features include anti-trapping power windows, childproof rear doors and anti-intrusion brake pedals. The anti-intrusion brake and foot-operated parking brake pedals prevent ankle and leg injuries in a frontal collision.

Seven fashionable and distinctive colours round out the colour choices:

White solid
Cool Silver Metallic
Pearl Yellow
Red Solid
Medium Orange Metallic
Black Mica (only available with XLS)
Pale Medium Bluish Grey (available from Sept 2004 production)

Although Colt is comprehensively equipped with desirable features as standard, the following options are available to allow customers to tailor the car to their individual requirements:

LS Side and curtain airbags $1,200
Metallic / pearlescent paint $240

XLS Side and curtain airbag $1,200
Metallic / pearlescent paint $240
Electric sunroof $1,600
Side and curtain airbag / electric sunroof $2,800

Colt will cost $18,990 for the LS variant, and $20,990 for XLS when it goes on sale in September.