Mitsubishi has released the first teaser of the upcoming Colt, the carmaker’s new small model that’s expected to debut in fall 2023. The new Colt will share most of its body panels with the Renault Clio and will feature a hybrid powertrain.
The dark teaser is revealing part of the exterior design including a different kind of Dynamic Shield incorporated into the grille as an expansion of the LED headlights. We can also see a rather familiar profile carried over from the Renault Clio sibling.
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Unsurprisingly, the new Mitsubishi Colt will be based on the Clio’s CMF-B platform and will be produced in Bursa, Turkey. This architecture is also underpinning the Nissan Micra, and Dacia Sandero, as well as in several SUVs including the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke, and the upcoming Mitsubishi ASX which has also been confirmed for a 2023 launch.
The Hybrid EV badge on the profile of the new Colt hints at an electrified powertrain. This will most likely be the same with the Renault Clio E-Tech and the Nissan Juke Hybrid. The latter consists of a naturally-aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine producing 93 hp (69 kW / 94 PS) and 148 Nm of torque, an electric motor producing 48 hp (36 kW / 49 hp) and 205 Nm (151.2 lb-ft), a second electric motor working as an HSG (High-Voltage Starter Generator), a 1.2 kWh water-cooled battery, and a sophisticated multi-mode gearbox sending power to the front axle.
The Colt nameplate is returning to Mitsubishi’s range after a ten-year hiatus since the last generation was discontinued in 2013. The return of the Colt with Renault underpinnings was rumored since 2018. With the arrival of the new generation, Mitsubishi will be celebrating 60 years from the debut of the original Colt 600 in 1962.
As reported by Automotive News Europe, the company said that the supermini will “significantly increase Mitsubishi Motors’ market coverage in core European segments”. The new Colt will slot between the smaller Mirage and the upcoming ASX SUV in the Mitsubishi lineup.
