The new Mitsubishi Colt range has gone on sale in Ireland, and Mitsubishi Motors Ireland expects to sell 650 units in 2009.
Sales will be split 70/30 in favour of the five-door model with 1.1L variants expected to account for 90 per cent of all sales.
The new generation Colt comes closer to its sharp Lancer sibling with a thoroughly refreshed interior and exterior design. The shift to this new look is very neatly blended in Colt’s overall design. Trading the MPV-like high stance of its predecessor for one that is lower and wider, the first thing you notice about the new Colt is the striking front end, characterized by the “Jet Fighter” grille.
The same goes for the muscular contours of the front fenders and the complementing new headlamps, all of which contribute to a stronger on-road presence as well as an improved level of pedestrian safety.
There is a new rear end design for the five-door body, which adds character while visually lowering and widening the car considerably. Changes at the rear of the distinctive three-door body consist essentially of a new bumper and new lamp housings. New wheels complement the exterior design while on the inside, there’s a brand new look.
Prices for the new Colt range prices starts at €13,450 with annual road tax from €156. And the Colt comes in one well-equipped model that has the following as standard - 15” alloy wheels, audio remote control, leather steering wheel, electric and heated door mirrors, front fog lamps, MP3 connectivity, electric front windows, and emergency stop signal system.
The new Colt shows less distinction between the three and five door variants, and you get better cargo flexibility, more comfort features, and a more dynamic drive.
Thoroughly re-designed and re-engineered with only 35 per cent carry-over components compared to the previous generation Colt, the new junior Mitsubishi is ready to fight in a highly competitive sector of the European market where a string of new and renewed entries tends to crowd the market,
Commenting on the new Colt, Robert Guy of Mitsubishi Motors Ireland told us: “With current market conditions and the shift towards smaller more environmentally friendly cars, the new Colt range is coming on stream at just the right time in Ireland. We’ve worked hard to put together a package that provides customers with excellent standard specification at a competitive price. This coupled with significant design improvements, in what has always been a very economical vehicle, delivers a car that we hope will make the shopping list of many Irish motorists.”
The Colt range is available in the aforementioned 1.1 litre with an entry level price of €13,450 ex-works and 1.3 litre petrol engine version starting at €14,354 ex-works. The five door entry level model is priced at €13,952 ex-works.
The 1.1 litre variants are expected to account for 90 per cent of all Colt sales. A 1.3 litre automatic option will be available from late January 2009 with the three-door priced at €14,555 and the five-door at €15,057. A three-door Ralliart version with a 1.5l turbo engine and priced at €21,584 will also be available from January onwards.
