Colt comfort a winning formula

Set to replace the current Colt, this is the first car to reveal the company's future styling direction, and the first to be jointly developed with technical partner DaimlerChrysler. It will be built in Holland, and shares its platform with the forthcoming four-door Smart.

Scheduled to go on sale in the UK in 2004 priced from ΂£8,500 to ΂£11,000, there can be no doubting its visual impact. Penned by Peugeot 206 stylist Olivier Boulay, the sharp upslanting headlights and split grille certainly catch the eye, as does the rear upright tail-light assembly. The road-hugging stance and high hipline give it an aggressive appearance, while inside there's bags of space.

Mitsubishi seems to have done its homework when it comes to the dimensions. Outside, the Colt is slightly bigger than key rival the Honda Jazz in virtually every department. Crucially, though, it still fails to outclass the Honda in terms of cabin space. Head and legroom feel more cramped, although the driver and front passenger seats are supportive. The packaging, however, is excellent and rivals the Jazz for innovation. The Mitsubishi boasts an outstanding storage system, highlighted by a 6.1-litre bin hidden under the passenger's seat squab. Other storage pockets and trays located in the doors provide ample space, while the rear seats fold away to offer a fully flat 594-litre load area - on a par with that of most class rivals.

A choice of 1.3 or 1.5-litre MIVEC petrol engines are available in Japan, with a 1.1 joining the UK line-up. Both the 1.3 and 1.5 are married to a CVT transmission, which means the Colt offers rapid acceleration. The 1.3 develops 88bhp and 121Nm, while the 1.5 delivers 96bhp and 132Nm of torque. In-house acceleration figures suggest that the 1.3 will sprint from 0-60mph in 13.6 seconds; the 1.5 shaves around a second off that.

The CVT auto has also been revised for the Colt. Combined with a modified engine management system, and a retuned torque converter, it works effortlessly to extract the most from the motors. Power is delivered smoothly and there's little engine noise. Even at high revs, the Colt is quieter than the Jazz and boasts superb refinement.

During our tests, the difference between the two powerplants was not as recognisable as the figures suggest. Of the pair, the 1.3 proved more driveable, although the 1.5 has better pick-up from low down in the rev range. Put back to back on the same twisty test course, the 1.3 felt more nimble than the bigger and heavier 1.5. However, both cars offer a first-class ride. At the front, the Colt uses a newly developed MacPherson strut set-up, while at the rear, a shaped torsion beam arrangement combines with under-floor coil springs and relocated shock absorbers. This also frees up extra boot space.

New electric power-assisted steering traces your desired line exactly, and is well weighted and gives plenty of feel. The brakes are powerful, too, with the Colt fitted with vented discs front and rear and offering ABS, EBD and brake assist as standard. It all adds up to an impressive package. As the foundation from which Mitsubishi must build its future line-up, the Colt has got things off to a good start.