Mitsubishi’s light-car plans revealed

MITSUBISHI has confirmed that its current-generation Colt light car will soldier on for at least another two years, as the company formulates a new global B-segment ‘supermini’ plan.

Expected in about 2011, the next-generation Colt replacement will be the same car the world over.

This means that the Lancer-like ‘shark nose’ of the European version released at the Paris motor show earlier this month is unlikely to be grafted on the Japanese-made Colt imported to Australia.

The European version of the Colt is built at Mitsubishi’s NedCar plant in The Netherlands, and varies markedly to the Japanese Colt, which uses different engines and boasts a unique interior.

It is actually closely related to the unsuccessful Smart ForFour, which was built alongside the Euro Colt from 2004 to 2006.

The Euro Colt is also offered in the Europe-only CZT three-door hatch, as well as folding hardtop convertible version known as the CZC.

However, the Colt CZC (sold as the Colt Cabriolet in Australia) is expected to be discontinued shortly, as slow sales around the world have forced Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) to channel energy and resources into other projects.

Mitsubishi Motors Europe president and CEO Tim Tozer confirmed to GoAuto at the Paris motor show that the next-generation MMC B-segment car is still some time away, and will be the same vehicle the world over.

In the meantime, MMC will have a fresh presence of sorts in the light car segment from 2010 with its upcoming baby crossover.

Previewed at the 2007 Tokyo motor show as the Concept-cX, it is actually based on the ‘Project Global’ small-car architecture that underpins the current Lancer and Outlander compact SUV, as well as a host of other models from Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

The productionised cX (for C-segment crossover, although this may not be the name it ends up with) will feature diesel as well as petrol powerplants derived from the Lancer.

According to Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited president and CEO Robert McEniry, MMC refers to the production version of the concept as the ‘B-Plus’ crossover, and it will fit into the market as part of a bigger small-car strategy for MMC.

“When the time comes and you see our position with a global small car under Lancer as well as other things that (MMC) are looking at, the passenger spread will be very well positioned for the company.

“The company will have a good passenger range, a good passenger crossover range, and a good SUV range.

“So we are actually very nicely positioned, and when you see the new smaller crossover, that will pick up some on some of the B (segment buyers) as well, so you will see some straddling going on.

“The internal package is not that much smaller (than the larger Outlander), but the overall length is – so it’s very well packaged... and a terrific looking car, so we will have a good spread of cars.”

MMC is also believed to be looking at a lower-cost manufacturing base for its next baby car, such as in Thailand, although Mr McEniry refused to confirm or deny this, other than to say:“That’s where the market is going.”

The current RG-series Colt was penned by controversial French designer Olivier Boulay (the stylist who grafted the unsuccessful aero nose on the 2003 Mitsubishi TL Magna). It was released in Australia in mid-2004 - almost two years after its Japanese debut.

Interestingly, a longer-bodied version of the current Colt is sold abroad, as the Colt Plus. It is built in Japan and Taiwan.

The Colt name is one of the longest running in the world, having first been used by MMC in 1962, on the Colt 600.

Australians saw a version of this car from 1964, and the name has been applied sporadically to a wide range of Mitsubishi small cars since – most notably on the Australian-built RB-RE Colt series from 1982 to 1990.