Frankfurt Show: 2008 Mitsubishi Colt

Along with the all new, Lancer and Lancer EVO X, Mitsubishi will also reveal the 2008 model-year Colt at the Frankfurt Show in September. There’s nothing worth to get excited about though as Mitsubishi simply enhanced the Colt range with new metallic colour offerings, revised interior trim, new 15 and 16-inch alloy wheel designs and improved standard equipment.

Simultaneously, Mitsubishi will add a new pan-European special edition version to the Colt range featuring among others, black headlamps, blacked-out A-, B- and C-pillars, black dashboard and door trim panels and 16-inch alloy wheels. Apparently, the special edition variant will carry a different name in every country since Mitsubishi did not refer to it in the press release. -Full press release and high-res image gallery after the jump

Mitsubishi Motors Europe @ 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show

- 2008 Colt: fine-tuning -

Confirming its best-seller status for Mitsubishi Motors in the region, Colt has started its fourth year in the European market with some fine-tuning to be announced at the forthcoming 62^nd Frankfurt Motor Show.

Success

With 205,561 cars (3-door, 5-door and coupé-cabriolet included) sold between the initial launch of Spring of 2004 and May 2007 - therefore covering three successive fiscal years – New Colt has successfully re-established the “Colt” nameplate in many a major European market, like Italy (9,122 units for CY2006 / + 8% in Europe’s largest B-segment market) or Germany (20,129 sales for CY2006 where it commands a 3.5% market share in the segment).

With most of these sales being conquest - since Mitsubishi Motors did not have any model in this sector before - Colt’s performance (81.504 sales for CY2006 or +12.7%) is even more remarkable. More so as the B-segment is one the toughest in Europe, involving all the mega-budget big players and driven by the introduction of new models.

As a further evidence, in B-segment-orientated Southern Europe, Colt sales increased in Spain by 24.3% during CY2006, with the sporty 3-door variant representing 45% of the total.

Mid-point

Representing nearly 30% of Mitsubishi Motors Europe sales, this CO² friendly range remains an essential pillar for the dealer network to attract newcomers to the Brand (over 70% conquest rate – 2006 data) and also to retain existing multi-motorized Mitsubishi customers looking for a smaller vehicle to second their Pajero, their L200 or their Grandis.

Action

Capitalizing on this success, Mitsubishi Motors has committed investment for short- and mid-term actions to enhance Colt’s appeal with (further) potential customers:

Short-term:

• The Colt family now benefits from several trim, equipment and color changes:
• New 15” and 16” alloy wheels*
• New metallic colors (Sparkling Black, Cranberry Red, Glamour Grey)
• New seat fabrics (black/red -3-door only-, grey -5-door only- or black*)
• New translucent elements colour (grey instead of blue)
• New shift boot colour (black instead of blue)
• Auto light and rain sensor available for high grades

At the same time, Colt will welcome a new pan-European special action model available with both the 3 door and 5 door bodystyle*. Sporty in spirit, as it suits Mitsubishi Motors products, these latest limited editions will feature:

• Black headlamps
• Darkened rear combination lamp reflectors
• Blacked-out A-, B- and C-pillars
• Privacy glass (5-door only)
• Black side sills and lower section of bumpers (5-door only)
• Rear roof spoiler (3-door only)
• New 16” alloy wheels
• Front fog lamps
• Rain sensor
• Auto headlamps
• MP3 functionality
• Unique seat fabric
• Black dashboard and door trim panels
• Black perforated leather for steering wheel and M/T shift knob

Available in the two new colors (metallic Cranberry Red and metallic Glamour Grey) as well as metallic Lunar Silver and solid Porcelaine White, these new variants will be offered with all Colt powertrains (1.1 / 75 ps, 1.3 / 95 ps, 1.5/109 ps, 1.5 DiD / 95 ps), except the 1.5 Turbo, and in both manual and AllshiftÔ automated manual** gearboxes.

As a reminder, such limited editions have been used pro-actively by all Mitsubishi distributors and dealers throughout Europe to create local special action models, accounting for over 20% of the Colt volume in average.

Mid-term lastly, a significant booster will be unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Stay tuned…