Solid Sheer

January 23rd, 2010 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Solid Sheer

Mitsubishi Colt - A Triumph of Sheer Practicality

Whilst bravely stepping forth into the breach that is the hatchback wars, the Mitsubishi Colt would be justly forgiven for sporting a wry smile on its face. I say this as Mitsubishi have managed to achieve the impossible by manufacturing a vehicle that manages to be small...but...umm...big at the same time. I have never witnessed a hatchback that is nearly as roomy as the Colt. I am more than aware that those of us who are in the market for a hatchback probably don't have space and roominess too high up the agenda; if you did, why are you buying a small car? So it comes as a great surprise to be able to fit 5 grown adults in a hatchback and avoid having all the oxygen forced out of your lungs by fellow travellers' bodies crushing your own.

The Colt's ingenious space maximisation doesn't stop there either; the rear passenger seats are removable, so the vehicle can easily be adapted into some kind of mini-van. I can't speak for everyone, but this sounds like a perfect idea for those occasions when you know your better half is going to go 'a bit crazy' during the sales and spend your annual food budget on shoes, furniture and other credit card melting purchases. When you notice that shopaholic look in their eye, simply pop the passenger seats out and you are left with more space than you would imagine from a hatchback.

All of this talk of spacial capacity would be pointless if the car itself was a stinker. Thankfully this isn't the case and the Colt manages to impress on the road. The handling is extremely sharp and the agile chassis easily maintains a vice like grip on the road. The available 1.1 model is perhaps a little too understated for anything other than driving round town, but the turbocharged 1.5-litre in the CZT model is an extremely satisfying drive, with enough power and grunt to bring a smile to anyone's face.

As ecological awareness is now paramount in all but the most cynical of motorists' minds, then it comes as good news that the Mitsubishi Colt is also an ecologically sound vehicle. Those of us who are feeling the financial pinch at the moment will be impressed that driver tests have shown that the Colt averages around 52 mpg. So Mitsubishi have followed up their concept of a practical vehicle by making it financially viable as well.

One of the minor drawbacks of the Mitsubishi Colt is the badge on the front. In the competitive market for hot hatches, style and image are as important as power and performance and if we're being honest, the Mitsubishi Colt doesn't exactly scream panache, grace and flair. The slightly boxy body also leaves a little bit to be desired. In an ideal world, the general public would be less shallow and be falling over each other for this technological triumph of practicality over aesthetic finesse.

Happily, Mitsubishi have priced the Colt very competitively and this should translate well into the used cars market. The build quality of the Colt is high and it is solid and sturdy in both interior and exterior departments. For added value, it would be worth any prospective Colt buyer looking for dealer ex-demonstration models with low mileage but with hefty discounts off the price-tag.

In summary, the Mitsubishi Colt is unlikely to become major competition for the likes of the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Fiat 500 or any of the revivals vying for the coveted best-selling hatchback honour, but it is worth considering if practicality is what you are looking for in a car. It may not be the prettiest car in the world, but the price and plus points make it worth investigating.

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