Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart
WITH Ford already ruling out a hot version of its new Fiesta it seems rally car specialist Mitsubishi is more than ready to fill the gap for hot hatch fans - with a revamped version of its turbocharged Colt.
Wearing the legendary Ralliart badge, which traditionally takes pride of place of the Japanese firm's supercar-rivalling Lancer Evolution models in the UK, the newcomer this time goes one better than its predecessor - sporting a new snub-nosed front which mimics that found on the firm's latest Evo X.
Throw in a lowered suspension, stylish bodykit and roof spoiler plus super-cool 16-inch grey alloy wheels and - especially in the test car's white - this is one little hatchback which looks seriously purposeful.
Another feather in the Ralliart's cap is its price. At £12,349 the three-door supermini not only undercuts the less powerful £13,895 Fiesta Zetec-S but, by an even greater margin, the Vauxhall Corsa SRi at £15,525.
All that good news is, of course, before you've even turned a wheel. But once you've opened the hottest Colt's door, climbed into the grippy front seats and got your hands on the fat-rimmed steering wheel, anticipation levels are reaching boiling point.
Twist the key and the 1.5 litre engine awakens Evo-apeing black-on-white dials while emitting a growl that wouldn't disgrace a 300bhp rally car. Developing 147bhp and 210Nm of torque the little powerplant packs quite a punch in the lightweight Colt, which tips the scales at just 1,060kg. Compare that to 1,109kg Fiesta, which develops around 30bhp less, and you get the impression that Ralliart technicians must have had quite a smile on their faces when Mitsubishi sought their expertise.
In fact the latest car has had quite a substantial amount of tinkering underneath its chunky new shape to fine tune the driving experience - and it's certainly made a difference.
Yes, the meaty steering still feels oddly artificial at higher speeds but there's significantly less body roll than in its predecessor and far quicker responses from the car when you ask more of it. The front-wheel drive Colt does well to control all that power - stability and traction control are standard - and although the five-speed gearbox could do with a bit more cushioning between shifts, it's pleasingly snappy and accurate.
The smooth revving engine is the star though. Impressively economical when you need it - over 40mpg is possible on the combined cycle - and smooth and powerful when you need to exploit its performance, the car's 7.9 second 0-62mph time and 131mph top speed are entirely believable.
It's a shame the Colt isn't particularly practical, with a small 160-litre boot which puts it way behind its main rivals. But it's doubtful many prospective buyers will be too put off by this rare downturn in form. The new and improved Colt Ralliart might not be a fully fledged Evo but it offers a far more affordable entry point for petrol heads keen to get a slice of Mitsubishi's rally-winning heritage.
- NEIL GREENFIELD
MITSUBISHI COLT RALLIART from - £12,349
|
|
|