Autoblog

UPDATE: U.S. bound Mitsubishi Colt will be an all-new global small car

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:20:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

Yesterday, we reported that Mitsubishi is bringing its small, B-segment Colt to our shores. And that's true, mostly. What we've learned between now and then is that Mitsu isn't bringing over the current Colt, but rather the replacement for the current Colt, i.e. the next Colt. In fact, Mitsubishi Motors Corp. President Osamu Masuko said as much during last month's Tokyo Motor Show. Here's what he told Automotive News:

"Mitsubishi will follow that with a global small car in 2012. That car will be smaller than the Colt, which is sold in Japan and Europe, and will have a 1.0- to 1.3-liter gasoline engine. A plug-in hybrid version and all-electric version of the global small car are scheduled for 2013. Mitsubishi is studying which of those would best suit the United States.

The scoop, then, is that this new global small car will be called Colt. As opposed to say, Havasu.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

UPDATE: U.S. bound Mitsubishi Colt will be an all-new global small car originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Mitsubishi Colt is coming to America

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Japan, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

2009 Mitsubishi Colt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Buried deep within Mitsubishi's (re)presentation of its PX-MiEV plug-in hybrid concept from the Tokyo Motor Show was a line about a global small car that Mitsubishi will be bringing to the US in 2010. That's it, one line. We didn't think too much of the announcement until Mitsubishi's Product Communications Manager Moe Durand walked up and said, "In case you missed it, the small car is the Colt." Dang!

Dang because we really like the new EVO-nosed Colt, especially in Ralliart trim. Additionally, now is a wonderful time to bring over a small car. Don't believe us? Just ask Ford (Fiesta) and Mazda (Mazda2). The Colt will be going up against some pretty hefty (albeit lightweight) competition in the form of established B-segmenters like the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa.

And while we haven't driven the new Colt, the stats aren't exactly overwhelming - in top trim, a 1.5-liter MIVEC four-cylinder spits out 104 hp and 104 lb-ft of torque. Routed through a CVT transmission that's probably plenty of grunt for day to day small car activities. And odds are Mitsubishi will drop a slightly buffer mill into the Colt for US duty. But just picture this - what if Mitsubishi gives us the Ralliart Colt? Maybe with a turbo. We, for one, would really be in favor of that (hint, hint). Either way, here comes the Colt.

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Colt

BREAKING: Mitsubishi Colt is coming to America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 1977 Dodge Colt dealer film is a completely amazing time capsule

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Budget, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Dodge

1977 Dodge Colt Mileage Maker Coupe - Click above image to watch the video

The year was 1977 and the world wasn't as bright a place as it could have been. The Sixties were officially long dead and buried, the national speed limit had the cruise control set at 55 mph, the Son of Sam was on the loose, Elvis died, and Hay-on-Wye's succession from Britain turned out to be a fake. But things weren't all doom and gloom. Star Wars debuted to much fanfare, the Porsche 928 debuted in Geneva and the Sex Pistols release their first and only album, Never Mind the Bollocks... But there was something else, too. No, not the ever present use of a wah-wah pedal.

That's right, the 1977 Dodge Colt - huzzah! And not only did the Colt exist, but if you went to your friendly neighborhood Dodge dealer, odds are good that they would have had a certain promotional film on display. One that extolled the virtues of said Dodge Colt over the competition. Namely, the Datsun B210, Chevrolet Vega and Chevette and of course, the Ford Pinto. And dude, is this film thorough. Not only does the announcer trash the Pinto's looks (talk about pointing a shotgun at a bucket full of fish!), but its back seat as well. And yeah, man - you're just going to have to see the Colt's backseat for yourself (Spoiler Alert - that dude is totally going to score).

There are a few surprises in the film. We simply have a hard time believing that cigarette lighters weren't standard equipment in 1977, if not federally mandated by our Southern congressmen. Also, if the MPG numbers seem a little insane, there's a reason. First, cars didn't weigh anything back in 1977 - safety was still optional. Second, the EPA formula has been rejiggered considerably since then. Also, yes, "Silent Shaft" does mean Mitsubishi 4G engines. Finally, we're as shocked as you are that the Chevette didn't throw a rod driving into the shot. Enjoy the video after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: 1977 Dodge Colt dealer film is a completely amazing time capsule

VIDEO: 1977 Dodge Colt dealer film is a completely amazing time capsule originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi working on TWR Walkinshaw Colt Ralliart

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, UK

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart

Just because Mitsubishi is pulling out of Dakar and throttling back on its motorsports campaigns doesn't mean the automaker is going to limit the development and sales of its performance models. The Ralliart Sportback is on its way to the States, the Evolution X FQ400 is due to arrive at UK dealerships later this year and in addition to the Colt Ralliart Version R, Mitsubishi is planning another version of the hot hatch for our friends abroad.

The Colt Ralliart TWR Walkinshaw edition, which gets its name from touring car legend Tom Walkinshaw, will come equipped with a new suspension, lowered ride height and more aggressive body kit. The 147 hp, 1.5-liter engine will carry over, along with the close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox and pricing is expected to be set £2,000 over the stock £12,049 Colt Ralliart. Sales should begin sometime this April.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart (UK)

[Source: EVO]

Mitsubishi working on TWR Walkinshaw Colt Ralliart originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2008: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart and Colt five-door

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Budget, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart

Even for utilitarian transport, the Colt is a fine looking vehicle - Mitsu's new grille is a one-size-fits-all beautifier, and there are some nice details around the car. The dip in the headlights isn't original, but it's executed with a flavor of its own. Inside it's plastic city and several bolts of cloth, but again, while there's nothing exactly special about it, there's nothing that would make you go "Ugh." The Colt Ralliart edition (above), however, is a treat. The details outside don't change much save for a wheel finish and a larger tailpipe, but the massively bolstered leather seats completely remake the interior. Check out the press release on the new Colts after the jump, and the galleries below: one of live shots, the other a massive folder of press shots that even includes some vintage Colt rally action.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart LIVE

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Colt

Continue reading Paris 2008: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart and Colt five-door

Paris 2008: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart and Colt five-door originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Mitsubishi inadvertently posts pics of Colt

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

Click above for a gallery of the 2009 Mitsubishi Colt

Our hunch that Mitsubishi would bring a redesigned Colt to the Paris Motor Show after it released a teaser earlier this week has been confirmed when the automaker inadvertently (?) posted a banner ad of the new sub-compact on its webpage.

The new Colt benefits from the familial angry-eye headlamps and trapezoidal grille, although both elements have been toned down to better suit the Colt's smaller proportions. The compact cruiser is available in both three- and five-door body styles, with an upright backside that should maximize cargo space. A range of miserly mills power the current Colt, ranging from 1.1- to 1.5-liters, along with a 1.5-liter DI-D diesel. We expect some of these engines to carry over to the new model, and a cabrio version is probably right around the corner.

If Mitsubishi wants to do battle with the Yaris, Fit, Versa and... ahem... Aveo/G3, we might see the Colt come Stateside. But we're not quite ready to hold our breath.

Gallery: 2009 Mitsubishi Colt

[Source: es.autoblog.com]

Paris Preview: Mitsubishi inadvertently posts pics of Colt originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Colt to get Lancer's shark-nose for 2009

Noah Joseph — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

Following the market debut of the new Lancer and EVO, Mitsubishi appears to be preparing a mid-cycle facelift for its junior Colt hatchback that's sold in Japan and Europe. The photos, which were snapped at an apparent promotional photo-shoot in Berlin, Germany, indicate that the Colt will get the new face of Mitsubishi that incorporates the same style of shark nose from the larger Lancer, as well as a new rear end with a revised bumper and darkened taillights. Sources suggest that the updated Colt will make its debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show in October, so watch this space as the car's unveiling approaches. As small, fuel efficient cars become increasingly popular with the public, we could see a return of the Mitsubishi Colt on our own shores in the not-too-distant future.

[Source: AutoWeek via CarScoop]

Mitsubishi Colt to get Lancer's shark-nose for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R Special: Now with SUPER STIFFNESS

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Australia

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Colt Ralliart Version R Special.

Alex and I share an unbridled lust for the Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R. We've imagined a death match between the souped-up Colt and the Honda Fit, but Mitsu insists that there's no market for a flickable fuel miser here in the States. They're wrong.

Regardless, since its introduction two years ago, the Ralliart Colt has already been kitted out by Recaro and now, they've decided to send out an even more limited edition that's boasting a 10-percent stiffer body through the use of some extensive seam welding. Aside, from that, not much has changed. It's still powered by the same turbocharged 1.5-liter four, sending 154-hp to the front wheels through a Getrag five-speed manual. To drum up a bit more enthusiasm about the limited run of 300 Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R Specials, Mitsubishi set out to break the 1:10 mark at the Tsukuba circuit in Japan. That's enough to make Skylines, NSXs and all manner of JDM exotica chuckle underneath their burbled exhausts, but as any true pistonhead knows, driving slow cars fast has a perverse appeal that even the most high-powered uber-whip can't match.

You can check out three Japanese-language videos of the Colt at Tsukuba after the jump.

Gallery: Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R Special

[Source: Mitsubishi, JPCN]

Continue reading Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R Special: Now with SUPER STIFFNESS

Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R Special: Now with SUPER STIFFNESS originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne 2008: Mitsubishi Panther concepts claw at good taste

Alex Nunez — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Hatchback, Mitsubishi, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Click image for a hi-res gallery of the Mitsubishi "Panther" Concepts

In addition to bringing the good stuff (Lancer Evo, Ralliart) to Melbourne, Mitsubishi has some schlock on hand to counterbalance the awesome. We're talking about the automaker's "Panther" concepts, which leverage bling, decals, and that whole "dealer-installed accessory" vibe to create all-show/no-go machines of questionable taste. We find those "panther scratch" stickers to be particularly egregious -- they'd look right at home on a busted-up Paseo with 15-inch spinner hubcaps. Check out the attached gallery to see what you like most or least about the five Panther concepts. We think the Pajero fares the best of the bunch, and while we'd love to have the Triton pickup in general, we could do without the 22-inch cartoon wheels and graphics. The other three victims are the Colt (not too bad), Grandis minivan (above) and Lancer ES, whose Panther makeover begs the question, why do this when you can simply buy a GTS? They may wear the name of a predator, but these "Panthers" look like they'd be happier noshing on Friskies than fresh meat. Mitsubishi's ~~excuse~~ explanation for them follows after the jump.

Gallery: 2008 Mitsuishi "Panther" Concepts

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Continue reading Melbourne 2008: Mitsubishi Panther concepts claw at good taste

Melbourne 2008: Mitsubishi Panther concepts claw at good taste originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi UK releases pair of 'Black Hawk' Colts

Alex Nunez — Fri, 18 May 2007 18:09:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Mitsubishi

Click image for gallery of the Colt Black Hawk CZT

When we hear the words "Black Hawk," we immediately think of helicopters being built at the Sikorsky plant in Stratford, CT. In the UK, however, that moniker is being applied to a pair of special edition Mitsubishi Colt 3-door hatchbacks with sporting pretensions. Both cars get decked out in black paint with double racing stripes plus privacy glass.

The lower-end Colt Black Hawk is more of a show pony. It wears 16" alloys and is powered by an economical 1.1L 74-horsepower 3-cylinder that gets over 41mpg in the combined cycle. Higher performance is available in the better-equipped Colt Black Hawk CZT, which sports a 147-horsepower 1.5L turbo four capable of delivering a 0-60 time of around seven seconds and a 132 mph top speed. There's not much of a penalty in terms of fuel consumption, either. The CZT, despite its larger engine and additional power, still gets a respectable 34.5 mpg combined.

In addition to the bigger engine, the CZT sports features like exclusive 17" alloys, fog lamps, sport seats, 4-wheel disc brakes, and a CD player. The Black Hawk is limited to 400 cars, and the Black Hawk CZT will be rarer still, with just 200 cars being offered. UK pricing can be found in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Mitsubishi Motors UK]

Gallery: Mitsubishi Colt CZT Black Hawk (UK)

Mitsubishi UK releases pair of 'Black Hawk' Colts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 May 2007 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Classic: Dodge Colt

Dan Roth — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:36:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Dodge

With the rise of the import trend, we're seeing Musclecar-era Japanese rides attain some of the same cachet as domestic iron from the same time. Funny, they didn't strike us this way at the time, but looking at them now, they're like three-quarter scale models of the Big Three's offerings. There seems to be a soft spot for early Celicas and of course, the Datsun 510 makes one hell of a half-price 2002. Somewhat overlooked, in our opinion, are the Mitsubishi models imported by Chrysler in the early 1970s, a.k.a. the Dodge Colt.

Check out more after the jump, including a really campy Dodge spot that was the only video we could dig up with two seconds of the Colt in it.

This post is dedicated to the Indianapolis Colts, winners of SuperBowl XLI, in case you haven't heard.

Continue reading Future Classic: Dodge Colt

Future Classic: Dodge Colt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Feb 2007 16:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi developing clean diesel for Europe

Stuart Waterman — Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:07:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Motors and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced Tuesday a joint development program for a next-generation diesel engine for the European market.

The new engine will be a 2-liter unit targeted at small and mid-size cars, and designed to meet the upcoming Euro5 emissions standards, which go into effect in 2010. Development of the new diesel will be completed in 2009, with production starting in 2010.

Mitsubishi currently markets its own diesels in the Pajero SUV for the European market, as well as the Triton (L200) pickup built in Thailand. However, its small and mid-size cars in Europe (the Colt and Lancer) use diesel engines sourced from Volkswagen and DaimlerChrysler.

[Source: Mitsubishi]

Mitsubishi developing clean diesel for Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mitsubishi launches Colt Ralliart Version-R

Stuart Waterman — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 08:03:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Hatchback, Mitsubishi

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]

Continue reading Mitsubishi launches Colt Ralliart Version-R

Mitsubishi launches Colt Ralliart Version-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jun 2006 08:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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