Mitsubishi launches Colt Ralliart Version-R
Mitsubishi launched its newest Ralliart variant in the Japanese market this week - the Colt Ralliart Version-R.
Powered by a 1.5-liter, DOHC 16-valve, four-cylinder MIVEC turbo under an EVO-esque hood vent, the little FWD pocket racer is motivated by 154 hp, turning 16-inch alloys clad with 205/45 rubber. A Getrag five-speed box teams up with a Sachs clutch in the manual transmission version, and an automatic is also available.
The four-door bodyshell gets considerable reinforcement, going far beyond the usual strut tower brace to increase overall stiffness by 30 percent. Available with optional Recaro sport seats, the interior gets an aluminum pedal set, satin-finish body-color trim pieces, and the Mitsubishi Multimedia Entertainment System.
The Version-R gets its own minisite, and this nifty movie (in Japanese). Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of static pictures of the new Colt, so after the jump we've added a few of the show car version, which debuted at the 2006 Tokyo Auto Salon.
[Sources: Mitsubishi, Motorsportblog.it]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
egs 8:29AM (6/01/2006)
and it never shows in the US
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Sid 8:39AM (6/01/2006)
As the owner of a loaded Mazda3 Sport GT (thats Canadian-speak for top-version of the hatchback), I understand the charm of a fully-loaded, upscale small hatchback. I'm not sure why (the majority of) North Americans equate small with cheap.
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Ferguson McSqueege 9:04AM (6/01/2006)
America isn't getting this because...
The only reason I am not a fan of very small cars is because they are usually slow, handle relatively poorly, and don't look good to boot. (Smart, Yaris, Fit, etc.)
This, however, is something I would like to have. Come on Mitsubishi...get with the game.
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Jason 9:20AM (6/01/2006)
I'd be all over one of these, it looks fun as hell.
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Stumpy 9:52AM (6/01/2006)
I like it... (well without the graphics on the side).
I love quick little cars.... They are so much fun to drive.
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D-Dog 10:05AM (6/01/2006)
Check out the links in this post. The production version is way better looking than the concept model shown in these photos. This car is HOT! Too bad we won't get in here in the States.
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David J. 10:28AM (6/01/2006)
And Mitsubishi wonders why their US sales are so bad...
I don't really like little cars because, well, plenty of them are poorly equiped for the money you pay. I'm not making huge payments for a car that doesn't even have power anything.
Keep in mind I am a young driver here (I'm 18). I know plenty of young drivers, who have no credit (or their parents have awful credit) and no downpayment are suckered in to paying over $250 a month (before insurance!) for a little car with no power, pep or fun. Which is only because it is new, and it gets good gas milage, which by time you have made the car and insurance payments, you can barely afford gas! If I was paying $500 a month for a car, it better dang well be loaded!
I bet the dealerships and salesmen who sell gutless cars to young drivers laugh for the longest time. I know I would. And many drivers who buy a new car, their first car is a decent car, and they only get a rid of it because it needs a minor repair, say new sparkplugs. It will keep their old clunker running for the longest time... But no, they'd rather buy the farm than spend next to nothing.
Sorry I went on a rant, but I felt I needed to get it off my chest. :)
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Charles 10:46AM (6/01/2006)
This is car for OAP's normally, can't wait to see the story about a granny loosing control and crashing it through a wall into someone's pool.
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FM 10:53AM (6/01/2006)
#3:
I recently test drove a Honda Fit sport. The handling is extremely good,it's on sports car levels. And it's faster than the bigger and slower Dodge Caliber R/T (!). My only complaint was the lack of a dead pedal which can be tiring for long trips and it may be jitty for 6 feet tall and over.
On topic: Mitsu has these best kept secrets. I would love if it ever comes here. So that Mitsu gets in the game with the rest.
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Max 10:54AM (6/01/2006)
With the B-segment explosion that is occurring in the US, you'd think Mitsubishi would take advantage of it....especially considering they have a car as attractive as this one.
Mitsubishi has all the tools, they just don't know how to use them. It's a shame.
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JZeke 11:22AM (6/01/2006)
Now thats the kinda small car Id whole-heartedly write a check for tomorrow!
I'm not an Evo fan (more of an STI guy) but this is seriously cool.
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Brian 11:28AM (6/01/2006)
Mitsu might not HAVE to bail the US market if they would bring us products like this! To Sid's point (#2), I don't think we equate all small cars to being "cheap" as much as all small cars that have been attempted here have BEEN cheap. We never have something quick and equipped like this new Colt; we always seem to get cars that feel like underpowered beer cans.
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MikeInNC 12:00PM (6/01/2006)
#8 A Fit Sport still has 109 hp and the Caliber R/T has 172. After calculating the power to weight ratio the Caliber @ 19.11/1 and the Fit @ 22.94/1. I saw the R&T 0-60 results on the Caliber and it still doen't make sense.
That being said, I do like the styling of the Fit a lot better and there is an obvious quality advantage to the Honda I'm sure.
Back to the topic at hand...I like this Mitsu but the graphics have got to go. I think we've all turned at least 13 by now.
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Ben 3:38PM (6/01/2006)
OMGWTFBBQ !!
So cool !!
I'll never see this in the US :(
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os2 5:31PM (6/01/2006)
this car is made out of unobtanium... :(
my EVO would love to have this thing parked next to him
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Alex Zhao 6:45PM (6/01/2006)
fast?
it certainly looks the part
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Howard Kerr 8:51PM (6/01/2006)
This Colt is also available overseas as a 3 door, I guess they didn't use the sportier looking model because in most markets the 3 door has more varients than the 5 door.
I guess Mitsu in the U.S. won't bring this car here because they don't think they can sell this to Americans with a automatic transmission. Look at Mitsu's product line-up in this country, EXCEPT for the Eclipse and a VERY tiny number of Lancers, everything they sell here has an automatic. Would you want this Ralliart is it was auto only? The last model to wear the Ralliart badge in the U.S. was the auto only Lancer WAGON...and they only sold THAT for one year.
You have some great cars Mitsu, please send some here.
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Campisi 1:05AM (6/02/2006)
The more I delve into the wondrous depths of the automotive industry, the more wondrous cars I see that are out of my reach. Why does it seem like the NA market garnishes the stink eye from pretty much every automotive company?
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Mitsufan 3:37AM (6/02/2006)
Yeah I have to say it's one hot little number.
Although I hear that the Colts they have in the UK are actually faster:
http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/colt/
I am thinking about having one imported and coverted for US emissions standards.
/Drove one on vacation
//I want the 3-door convertible turbo
///That thing rocks
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HPSACR 9:43AM (6/06/2006)
Did it escape everyone but me, has DCX forgotten that Dodge has been scrambling around looking for a B segment car, and someone to partner with [aka the Hornet] ...Duh Dodge Colt.
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