Mitsubishi refers to the CZT as an ‘affordable, sporting, comfortable hatchback’. And affordable it is: at £12,999 on the road, it comes in cheaper than Ford’s Fiesta ST (£13,595), Renault’s Clio 182 (£13,800) and Peugeot’s 206 GTi (£13,770).
The success of Ford’s well-rounded Fiesta ST demonstrates that hot-hatch buyers are happy to trade power for enhanced usability, but does the Colt CZT possess the ST’s mighty breadth of talent?
The CZT has received numerous upgrades to its appearance, suspension, brakes and interior to reflect its sporty manner. But the changes beneath the bonnet are the most crucial to its potential success.
Unlike the last fast Colt – the Cyborg ZR with its highly strung naturally aspirated engine – the CZT has a turbocharged and intercooled 1.5-litre unit. With 155lb ft at just 3500rpm, the Colt beats its Euro rivals in the torque stakes: a Clio 182 offers 148lb ft, the Fiesta ST 140lb ft, and Peugeot 206 GTi 143lb ft. It’s an all-alloy unit, with hollow camshafts to reduce weight further, and gets Mitsubishi’s MIVEC variable-valve-timing system.
To handle the power hike, the CZT’s bodyshell has received some extra torsional rigidity in the form of a strut brace between the front suspension housings. The springs and front anti-roll bar have been stiffened and there’s a quicker (but still electrically assisted) steering rack and larger front brakes.
The visual extras include 16in alloy wheels, metallic mesh inserts in the front grille and a fruity sports exhaust. They go some way to compensating for the Colt’s naturally tall stance, but although the three-door car is 30mm lower, the roof still looks very high and the shape reminds us more of an MPV than a hot hatch. It’s more sporting inside though, where you’ll find a pair of nicely supportive sports seats up front, silver trim strips on the fascia and a leather-clad steering wheel and gearknob with red stitching.