Colt C-C Quick On The Draw

This is the first official preview of Mitsubishi's 'hair-raising' new Colt - due to debut at March's Geneva Motor Show.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Craig Cheetham

18th January 2005

The manufacturer's top brass have confirmed that the supermini Coup΃©-Cabriolet will be built, and a proto-
type will be exhibited at the spring event. It is set to appear alongside the first-ever concept car that Mitsubishi made - the Colt 600 convertible from 1962. Our official illustration shows how the drop-top will look when it goes on sale in 12 months' time.

The newcomer has been jointly styled by Mitsubishi design chief Olivier Boulay and Pininfarina. It will be assembled in limited numbers by the Italian design firm at its factory in Turin when it reaches production. Set to do battle with the Peugeot 206 CC and Nissan Micra C+C, the Colt Coup΃©-Cabriolet will come with the 1.5-litre engine from the hatchback.

A flagship version using the 150bhp turbocharged unit from the CZ-T three-door production car will form the basis of the Geneva vehicle. But the Japanese maker hasn't ruled out the possibility of a 1.5-litre diesel or even an entry-level 1.3 petrol model later on.

The car will be a full four-seater, and will also provide extra luggage space underneath the folding roof mechanism. Its tall windscreen is said to offer better wind protection than competitors, due to its rounded shape.

The styling of the drop-top was first previewed with the CZ2 Cabriolet Concept at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. Features such as its rear view camera and detachable door bags could well go on to appear in the production version. The car will cost in the region of ΂£14,000 when it makes its showroom debut next year.