The Mitsubishi Colt is back. After a hiatus of eight years, the Japanese automaker has revived its iconic city car with a new design and a new mission: to offer an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to the Renault Clio, on which it is based.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Colt is the result of a partnership between Mitsubishi and Renault-Nissan, which owns a 34 percent stake in the former. The Colt shares its platform, engine, and most of its features with the Clio, but it has a distinctive look that sets it apart from its French twin.
The Colt has a more angular and aggressive front end, with a large grille and LED headlights that resemble those of the Mitsubishi Outlander. The rear end is also more sculpted, with a spoiler and a diffuser that give it a sporty flair. The Colt also has some unique elements, such as the three-diamond logo on the C-pillar and the red accents on the wheels and mirrors.
But the Colt is not just a cosmetic makeover of the Clio. It also has some advantages that make it more appealing to environmentally conscious buyers. It is cheaper than the Clio, starting at $17,500 for the base model, compared to $19,000 for the Clio. That’s a significant saving for a car that offers essentially the same performance and equipment.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Colt also has a lower carbon footprint than the Renault Clio, thanks to its lighter weight and more efficient engine. The Colt weighs about 100 pounds less than the Clio, which reduces its fuel consumption and emissions. The Colt also uses a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 100 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque, while the Clio uses a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 130 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.
The difference in power is not noticeable in everyday driving, but it makes a big difference in terms of environmental impact. According to Mitsubishi, the Colt emits 99 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer (g/km), while the Clio emits 118 g/km. That means that over a year of driving 10,000 miles, the Colt would save about 400 pounds of carbon dioxide compared to the Clio.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Colt also offers some features that make it more eco-friendly than the Clio, such as a start-stop system that shuts off the engine when the car is idle, a regenerative braking system that recovers energy from braking and deceleration, and an eco mode that optimizes fuel efficiency by adjusting the throttle response and air conditioning.
The Colt is greener than the Clio and more fun to drive. The Colt has nimble handling and responsive steering, making maneuvering in tight spaces and corners easy. The Colt also has a smooth ride quality and a quiet cabin, making it comfortable for long trips. The Colt has a spacious interior that can accommodate five passengers and their luggage, with plenty of storage spaces and cup holders.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Colt also has a generous list of standard and optional features that make it competitive with other city cars. The Colt has a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a digital instrument cluster with customizable displays, a wireless charging pad for smartphones, a rearview camera, automatic climate control, keyless entry and start, cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.
The new Mitsubishi Colt is expected to go on sale in Europe in early 2024. The Colt will compete with other city cars, such as the Ford Fiesta, the Volkswagen Polo, and the Hyundai i20. But unlike these rivals, Colt has an edge in affordability and sustainability.
The Colt is not only a clone of the Clio; it is also an improvement on it. It offers more value for money, style, efficiency, and fun than its French counterpart. It is also more environmentally friendly than most of its competitors. The Colt is a city car that does not compromise on quality or performance but also does not harm the planet. It is a car that appeals to both the head and the heart of the modern driver.
The 2024 Mitsubishi Colt is a Clio clone with a green twist. It is a car that proves that you can have it all: a stylish, spacious, well-equipped, and fun-to-drive city car that is also cheap, reliable, and eco-friendly. It is a car that deserves your attention.
