Mitsubishi was clear that the 3-door version of the Colt could not be a copy of the existing one, with 5 doors. Manufacturer’s sporting heritage has marked the design model, which hit the market in late March.

Mitsubishi take hold of his long sport background to explain why the three-door Colt, which will arrive at dealerships in March, has not respected the basic lines of the five-door version. After launching a “family” vehicle with an interior marked by modularity, the manufacturer has wanted to recover the dynamic image that has been wrought in the Old Continent with models like the Lancer Evo.

Thus, the CZ3 has a more dynamic than his “brother” air. There is no longer any trace of the vertical tail lights and the high gate; Now, the rear area (reminiscent of the Alfa 147) houses a slanted headlights and a bumper with a greater role. The body is closer to a coupé and shows the emphasis has been placed on the design. As announced Mitsubishi “is much more than a two-door Colt with less.” In fact, the only exterior panels shared with the existing version are the front wings and bonnet, but retains some of the features that identify new models of the brand. Including the manufacturer’s logo is, with a defined space in the central grid, which is “stretched” to the hood thanks to a sharp ridge. The same motif is repeated in the tailgate.
The CZ3, whose production version was presented at the Paris Motor Show, is more muscular than his “brother” and has details that accentuate its dynamism flared wheel arches, longer doors, rear windows teardrop, a windshield more inclined (26 °) … stability is one of the values ​​arising at first sight: while maintaining the wheelbase Colt 5 doors (2.50 meters), this version is 6 cm shorter and 3 centimeters lower.
The three-door Colt derived directly from the “concept car” CZ2, introduced in 2001, although it does not share a single body component. However, it is possible to find a similar genetic code in the front, in the long wheelbase and track widths, the large windscreen, with an area of ​​1.06 m2- or intermittent lateral arrow-shaped .

The importance of this prototype is present in the name of the new model. The name “CZ3” pays tribute to his predecessor, but hides a proper sense, “C” means “concept” and “Z” was, at the time, the label code version. The “3” refers, of course, the number of vehicle doors.

Aplomb that promises its image is amply demonstrated when the CZ3 highway exits. A tour Italian roads twisted enough us to test the effectiveness of changes made to the model, which has a center of gravity lower than 2 centimeters in the version with five doors and with a firmer than in this suspension. Link curves becomes a fun pastime at the wheel of this car, in which the body stays in place, offering a pleasant feeling of stability.
Too bad the snow in the driveway had not let us make the most of the possibilities of the vehicle, but it helped us to see the benefits of ADR device (Active Control System Security Mitsubishi, its acronym in English). It is an “extra” worth: 930 euros, will have traction control and ABS associated stability. The Japanese brand believes that this device plays a big role in security, so it can not be disconnected.
Engines that encourage CZ3 are the same as those in the version with five doors. Petrol units developed by Mitsubishi Motors and DaimlerChrysler shared with -are present in the Smart Forfour- have a capacity of 1,100, 1,300 and 1,500 cm3. These propellers have variable timing system of “MITEC” valves Nippon mark and its features low weight, compactness and low fuel consumption are counted according to the manufacturer.

We could not make a touchdown with these mechanical; our tour was carried out with a Colt equipped with the 1.5 Diesel engine with 95 hp. Currently, it is the only propellant diesel associated with the model (in summer will come a second unit with the same capacity and 68 hp) and although it is somewhat noisy behavior is very noble: the turbo provides power from the lower rev counter and keeps it smooth all the way.
All engines are associated with a manual gearbox five-speed, precise handling. Optionally, you can mount the automated manual transmission “Allshift” with six ratios and weighing only five greater than that of a conventional manual transmission kilos according Mitsubishi.