Review of the new Mitsubishi Colt Range

To say the Mitsubishi Colt has a low brand recognition would be understating the point somewhat. It has been possibly the prime exponent of the 'car as a white good' - efficient, well thought through but utterly uninvolving. Sure, previous incarnations of Colts have packed some smart technology but ask anybody to picture one and you'd be greeted by a lot of furrowed brows, stroked chins and blank expressions. The latest generation Colt may well be the first to forge its own identity.

It's a landmark car for Mitsubishi in any number of ways. It needs to be too, as Mitsubishi is a company that has lost its way in recent years. Yes, the Lancer Evo and the L200 pick-up may garner some appreciative nods but little else in the Mitsubishi range is a big enough draw. Part owners Daimler Chrysler have taken a tough line with Mitsubishi of late and the company needs to sort itself out rather than rely on hand outs. If they keep turning out cars like the Colt, things may well be looking up.

Although Mitsubishi has had some lean years in terms of European sales, the UK importers - somewhat confusingly called the Colt Car Company - have seen sales double over the past four years. If Mitsubishi can capitalise upon our natural predilection for the three diamonds, the Colt is set fair to give rivals in the supermini class something to think about. Aimed fairly and squarely at Honda's class-leading Jazz, the Colt is one of the latest breed of long and tall superminis that accentuate cabin space.

Built in Holland at Volvo's former Nedcar plant, this Colt is the sixth generation car to bear the moniker. If you think the proportions look vaguely familiar, you may well be onto something. Smart's ultra trendy forfour is based on the same chassis and running gear and shares several of the Colt's body panels, albeit 'smartened' up to fit the corporate look and feel. If you're looking to cut a dash outside the gym, the smart is a no brainer. If you're sufficiently mature to dispense with the gimmickry, you'll save a pot on the Colt and end up with arguably the better car.

"If you expect supermini dashboards to be fussy, cheap and cluttered, the elegantly minimalist Colt fascia will be a very pleasant revelation"

In three or five-door form, the Colt is offered with a 75bhp 1.1-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, a 95bhp four-cylinder 1.3-litre powerplant that looks set to be the big seller and a 109bhp four-cylinder 1.5-litre unit, plus a 1.5-litre three-pot Mercedes-derived turbodiesel, developing 95bhp. The range-topping model is the three-door only CZT which is powered by a 150bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre unit. Five speed manual gearboxes are fitted as standard but a six-speed Allshift automated manual is also available should you want to splash out. The Colt CZC is the obligatory folding hard top model and it is available with the 109bhp 1.5-litre unit or the peppy 1.5-litre turbo from the CZT.

The Colt shares 60% of its parts with the smart forfour but you'd be hard pressed to guess this when seated behind the wheel. Everything is neat but sensibly styled with no dials sprouting from the fascia top. It's certainly a major leap forward from the uninspiring Colt interiors we've been accustomed to. If you expect supermini dashboards to be fussy, cheap and cluttered, the elegantly minimalist Colt fascia will be a very pleasant revelation. The Attivo trim level includes 14-inch alloy wheels and metallic paint in the price.

Mitsubishi can claim the crown for most interior space in this market sector and there's little doubt that for a supermini at least, this car has been generously cut. Even with a six footer at the wheel, there's enough room in the back for all but the rangiest adults and the boot is a prodigious size. A long wheelbase and compact suspension set up - Macpherson struts up front and a low volume torsion beam arrangement at the rear - help to maximise available space.

The Colt feels a good deal more assured on the road than that high rise styling might suggest. The suspension is fairly firm but on rutted city streets, only the worst that local government negligence can throw at it will upset its uncanny composure. The flipside of this is that the Colt offers a surprisingly generous dose of entertainment with decently weighted steering and better than adequate body control. The brakes are discs up front and drums at the back, except for the range-topping 1.5-litre petrol model which gets discs all round. Anti-lock and electronic brakeforce distribution are standard on all models, as is electrically assisted power steering.

The 1.3-litre engine is presently the best compromise between economy and performance, the 1.5-litre unit being a little sibilant in the upper reaches of the rev range. If you want real performance, it has to be the CZT, Mitsubishi's three-door hot hatchback which is based on a turbocharged version of the 1.5-litre engine good for 150bhp. A baby Evo? That could be about the size of it, especially if it could be breathed upon to liberate a few extra horsepower.

No, the Colt still isn't the most charismatic of cars. What it does represent is a spacious supermini that nevertheless has its own identity, one that's very well built, fun to drive and which won't crash in value the moment you drive it off the dealer's forecourt. Mitsubishi probably need a genuinely well equipped or sporting version to differentiate it from the pack but rest assured, this is the first Colt normal people like you or I could countenance buying.

TOP 5 COLT DEALS

The results below show the top COLT deals on buyacar

Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 CZ2 5dr Auto Hatchback
Price £10,688 Read Colt Reviews	Save
Mitsubishi Colt 1.1 CZ1 3dr Hatchback
Price £8,478 Read Colt Reviews	Save £166
Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 CZ2 ClearTec 3dr Hatchback
Price £10,078 Read Colt Reviews	Save £106
Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 CZ2 5dr Hatchback
Price £10,203 Read Colt Reviews	Save
Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 CZ2 ClearTec 5dr Hatchback
Price £10,578 Read Colt Reviews	Save £106
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