Mitsubishi Colt: On the road in the Clio clone

The Mitsubishi Colt is back - with a good dose of French flair. Almost 45 years after it first appeared on the German market, the classic small car is now back at the dealership. For the seventh edition, Mitsubishi once again helped itself to partner Renault, adapting the newly developed Clio without further ado. E voilà, the result is badge engineering at its finest. The two models look almost like identical twins. If you ignore the three-diamond logo on the front and the brand lettering in large letters on the rear, you could be forgiven for thinking you were driving Renault's best-selling small car.

This step was necessary because Mitsubishi wanted to quickly regain a foothold in the B segment after its withdrawal from Europe. Nevertheless, the Colt's exterior appearance is distinct thanks to the large logo and LED headlights. Inside, French chic dominates with a mix of analog and digital features. Different trim levels offer a wide range of features, including a 9.3-inch touchscreen, inductive charging station, automatic climate control, and several safety assistants.

The Colt offers several engine options, including a 1.0-liter three-cylinder and a turbocharged 1.0-liter with 91 horsepower. Handling is pleasant, with smooth steering and a suspension that handles bumps with ease. A full hybrid powertrain is also available as a top version, which is efficient, especially in city driving, and offers a range of up to 900 kilometers. However, there are some noise problems and unusual behavior of the hybrid system at low speeds.

Overall, the new Mitsubishi Colt is more like a Clio than a Colt, but that shouldn't bother most customers, especially if price and performance are right. Mitsubishi is also offering more attractive pricing than Renault and is currently offering a 2000 euro discount on all versions to promote the market launch. (aum/fw)