Mitsubishi has revealed its new generation Colt hatchback based on the updated Renault Clio, although it won’t be coming to Australia.
A spokesperson for Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed the seventh generation Colt is not on their radar right now as they focus on the SUV and utility segments.
The new Mitsubishi Colt will be manufactured at Renault’s Bursa plant in Turkey, scheduled to reach European dealers this October.
Mitsubishi has differentiated the new Colt from the Renault Clio by changing its front bumper to feature its corporate Dynamic Shield design language. There are also L-shaped LED daytime running lights and LED headlights.
The highlight of this new generation Mitsubishi Colt is the hybrid model (HEV) which combines a 1.6 liter four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.2 kWh battery. Total system output has not been confirmed, but it is the same engine setup as the Renault Clio E-Tech Hybrid which produces 105kW.
There is also a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a six-speed manual transmission, as well as a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine with a five-speed manual transmission.
Inside there is a 7.0-inch or 9.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system depending on specification, ambient lighting and an available Bose premium sound system.
Mitsubishi Colt is available with the following safety equipment:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind spot monitoring
- Rear cross traffic warning
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Traffic sign recognition
- Easy Garden Help
- Automatic high beam
The revived Colt represents a return to the badge for Mitsubishi, which ended European and Japanese production of the previous version in 2012, although it continues to be built in advanced Colt Plus form in Taiwan.
Mitsubishi has announced that it will end its European operations in 2020, only to later instead announce a new Colt and ASX for that market – both based on existing Renault products.
The Colt name has a long history, first appearing in 1962. Perhaps the most famous Colt is the locally made hatch and sedan sold here from 1982 to 1989.
The name continued to be used in other markets, although its successors were sold here under the Lancer and Mirage nameplates before the Colt was renamed in 2004.
This model was later discontinued in 2011 and was not replaced directly. Instead, the Mirage nameplate is back, but applied to a city car instead of a light hatch.
MORE: 2023 Mitsubishi Colt hybrid teased, unlikely for Australia