Every time different
The return of the Mitsubishi Colt makes it fun to delve into the history of the real Colt. By this we mean when the model was still a real Mitsubishi, and not a rebadged Renault Clio. We go back to the 1980s. The Mitsubishi Colt always wanted to compete with the top sellers in its class, but never had enough irons in the fire to do so. The radical change of course in 1988 was promising, but did not have the desired effect.
Mitsubishi managed to maneuver its way onto the wish lists of car buyers in the 1980s. With the Colt, Lancer and Galant as its backbone, the brand quickly built up a reputation for solidity and reliability and all of this was packaged in a generally tasty package. Who doesn’t remember the first, round Colt? The cuddliness itself, and also innovative with its extra lever for spirited or economical driving.
In 1984 a completely new model family was introduced, where the round made way for the sleek, including the Lancer and Galant. Another four years later, the trio made a new appearance again, with a completely different look. ‘Attractive’ was widely read, although some eyebrows were raised because the Galant exchanged its streamlined body for a rather voluptuous one in early 1988, a line that the Colt and Lancer followed together that fall. The trinity was thus restored. Nevertheless, the loyal Colt buyers once again had to put up with a completely different car. In addition, Mitsubishi deleted the five-door model and also the diesel version, which doesn’t help if you want to join the Golf, Kadett and Escort. It is good to know that the Colt profiled itself in the C-segment at the time. With prices starting at around 24 grand, it entered the middle of the battlefield as an everyday 1.3 GL where the above-mentioned, heavily armed competitors would not give up their permanent positions. The 1.5 GLXi was very attractive, but at almost 29,000 guilders it was also expensive; For that money you got significantly more car with a Kadett 1.8S GL.
Of course, the Colt looked good and drove well, but its performance was not great, while it was significantly lacking in terms of interior and luggage space. Later Colts continued to become very different cars than the models they succeeded, something that applies even more to the latest generation. Just like its predecessor from 1988, it will certainly not have an easy time: Mitsubishi is planning the Colt in the B-segment this time. Talking about battlefields, and about competitors who are really not going to give up their fixed positions.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl