Colt gets horse power for 2006

MITSUBISHI Australia has blessed its underrated Colt with a cleaner, more powerful all-alloy engine as part of a revised 2006 light car range.

Gone is the current Colt’s cast-iron-blocked 72kW/132Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and in its place is a Mitsubishi variable valve timing (MIVEC)-equipped, EuroIII emissions-compliant, all-aluminium DOHC four that offers 77kW of power at 6000rpm and 141Nm of torque at 4000rpm (instead of 4250rpm).

Despite the extra 5kW of peak power and 9Nm of peak torque, the 2006 Colt’s average fuel consumption figure has dropped from 6.4L/100km to 5.6L/100km, helping it achieve a four-star rating from the Green Vehicle Guide.

Further extending the 2006 Colt’s touring range is a three-litre-larger (45-litre) fuel tank.

While LS remains the entry-level variant within the upgraded Colt range, the flagship XLS will now be named VRX.

As part of the 2006 upgrade, both Colt variants gain new front and rear bumpers, new upper and lower grilles and new rear combination lights.

Furthermore, the Colt VRX gains a chrome exhaust extension and "argent" headlight extensions, along with interior improvements such as sports seats and alloy pedals.

The Colt LS gains a tacho, new seat trim and white (instead of blue) sports instruments for 2006, while both Colt variants also gain an upgraded battery.

However, the "smart seat" compartment in the front passenger seat has been deleted from both variants, and for 2006 the Colt’s paint colour palette has been abbreviated.

Red Metallic and Gunmetal Mica replace Guava, Chilli and Blueberry, while White Solid, Cool Silver Metallic, Butterscotch and Black Mica continue to be available.

Colt pricing remains unchanged for 2006 at $18,990 for the LS and $20,990 for the VRX – both with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) as standard.

Also remaining standard are air-conditioning, power steering, four power windows, power/folding mirrors, remote central locking, a four-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system, a 50/50-split folding rear seat and rear window wiper/washer.

Standard Colt safety features continue to include twin front airbags, anti-lock brakes (with electronic brake-force distribution), four three-point seatbelts and, for the front seats, seatbelt pretensioners, force limiters and height adjusters.

While the revised 2006 Colt LS and VRX are on sale now, Mitsubishi’s mini-car line-up will offer wider appeal by around June via the addition of a manual-transmission example, which is expected to be priced at an entry-level $16,990.

Further afield, the Colt range will receive a testosterone injection around August in the shape of a 1.5-litre Colt 2+2 coupe-cabriolet, which will also be available in turbocharged Ralliart guise – with the availability of go-fast components courtesy of renowned V8 Supercar tuner Allan Heaphy.

Mitsubishi also remains keen to offer the offbeat "i" micro-car in Australia as a sub-Colt model, powered by a mid-mounted 660cc turbo engine that drives the rear wheels.