Test drive Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart 3 doors since 2008 hatchback

Crisis lessons

It just so happened that the smallest Mitsubishi - a small COLT class car - appeared on the Russian market with a noticeable delay. It is impossible to say that the hatchback, which debuted in the fall of 1995 as a member of the Colt-Lancer-Mirage family (is known in Japan under the latter name), did not see Russian roads at all, but only with the conduct of state certification in Russia did the official sales of this popular in everything began The world of the model.

For four years, the older brother - the Lancer sedan, who has established himself from the very best side, confirmed the confirmation of which is the data on his sales through the Mitsubishi dealership.

The previous generation COLT was present in the Russian market from 1992 to 1994, but after the mentioned mandatory certification of the cars sold, increasing the invoice for import, its imports were folded in favor of more massive and favorable models. The August crisis last year forced to look at things differently. The solvency has decreased, and cheaper cars began to be in demand.

Please - Mitsubishi Colt.


The three -door COLT hatchback (five -door) is built on the same platform as the Lancer sedan, only the wheelbase is shorter - 2415 versus 2500 mm. Otherwise, the chassis of these two cars practically do not differ. The front suspension of the Macpherson type with a triangular lower lever and a completely independent multi -link rear are present both on COLT and LANCER. A little differently designed the front of the car - with a changed bumper and headlights. The car, officially supplied to Russia, has the so -called northern package - with an increased 3 mm road clearance and a more powerful heating system.

Power units are common with Lancer. The gamut of the engines begins 1.3 liters of a motor, developing from 75 to 88 hp. - Depending on which market the car is intended for. After it follows a 1.5 l of an engine with a capacity of 110 hp. (for Japan), the volume of 1.6 liters is represented by three engines - two of them with a capacity of 90 hp. Designed for machines supplied to Europe, and the most-most, 175-horsepower with variable phases of gas distribution, Mitsubishi saved for the domestic market.

In order not to torment Russian buyers with the problem of engine choice, the Japanese acted simply: the motor for COLT is offered one single, 4G92, familiar from the previous generation Lancer models. To increase efficiency and reduce noise, it was deformed from 113 to 90 hp.

The engine is equipped with a mechanical 5-speed gearbox or an automatic 4-speed transmission InVECS-II, capable of adapting to an individual driver driving-this is rare in this class of cars.

The three -door body is characterized by increased twisting stiffness, and thanks to powerful spaces and developed rapids, it has good energy intensity, which increases the level of passive safety - for a relatively small car, this is especially important. Of the external features, an unusual solution to the back of the body can be noted - an almost flat third door and the backlash stolen with it.

We took two cars for the test. External differences are only in color. The interiors are identical, up to the material and the colors of the upholstery of seats and inserts on the inner panels of the doors, different only levers of transmission control.

The doorway is wide - landing in the front places is devoid of difficulties that are ordinary for three- or two -door bodies with two rows of seats. The driver’s seat can be adjusted for yourself in vertical and longitudinal directions, as well as by changing the inclination of the back. By the way, despite the fact that all adjustments are mechanical, the back can remember the selected angle of inclination.

After setting procedures, a very tall driver can conveniently accommodate. The opinion that Colt is another typically female car is not quite fair.

Torpedo of a modern form is made of solid plastic. In the location of the ventilation nozzles, the shape of the visor over the combination of devices and the layout of the air defense system controls with the air conditioning, the company style is traced. Torpedo is replete with various kinds of containers for small items, there are retractable cup holders. In the hub of the steering wheel - a pillow of safety, another - in a torpedo, in front of the passenger. The steering wheel is convenient, does not block the devices and control lamps, and the rim upholstery material allows you to reliably hold it. The steering column is adjustable along the angle of inclination.

In general, you can accommodate on the front seats with comfort, worthy of larger in size and car status. And what about the back? I move forward all the way the driver with the seat, move back. Spaces above the head, as they say, is in front, but tolerant. The driver makes an attempt to return his seat to its former place ... Haha, nothing will come of it - if I just won’t take my feet sideways. But for so long you can’t play ...

You can shift the front seat to failure only if there is no one behind, in extreme cases - if a child sits. Or some bags lie. There is nothing to even think about placing four (not to mention five) basketball players in the car (not to mention five) basketball players. On the other hand, Mitsubishi Colt is a typical city car in which an average load does not reach two people. And the two in COLT is quite comfortable ...

With passenger capacity everything is clear. Let's see how Colt behaves in motion. As already mentioned, we had two cars at our disposal. COLT with a mechanical box underwent small decorative tuning (made by a car dealership).

A roof spoiler, 14 -inch alloy wheels, fog -tullets - the machine acquired a rather spectacular look. I wanted to travel in accordance with such an appearance. Maybe this is also an adaptation, only on the contrary - the driver’s driving manners to the car? Run the engine. So far, everything is quiet. The clutch pedal surprised in great strokes, the clutch captures only at its very end. But the first gear turned on easily and clearly.

The engine briskly gains speed, gear shift is very fast - the choice mechanism works perfectly. We move easily and swiftly - as if flying over the road. This feeling is intensified due to the fact that the suspension works well with irregularities - without blows and vibrations. All wheels swallow cracks and potholes in the asphalt the same, especially the lack of a knock characteristic of the rear suspension on longitudinal or bound levers.

The steering wheel is good. The acuteness and sensitivity in combination with the ability of a car to keep the road allow you to create small miracles or innocent pranks. You can direct COLT to the narrowest gap and slip a dangerous place first. If you feel that the case has gone too far, then powerful and effective brakes will help to stop in time. The pedal move is small - not an example of the clutch pedal. The engine demonstrates enviable painfulness in the entire speed range and is distinguished by good elasticity. You can move at any, most intricate pace, then sharply changing the stripes, then calmly weaving in one gear behind some leisurely bus ...

After temperamental and rapid -firing COLT with mechanics, the machine seems noticeably calmer. And external paraphernalia is no longer a desire to move in increased colors (the spoiler is absent, and the steel 13-inch discs are closed by caps).

Turn on D, the car is slowly driving, add gas - then as usual. After three thousands of revolutions, a light push - this turned on the second, then the third and fourth. Where is the promised adaptation? Gradually, we forgot about her, moved slowly in a fairly dense stream. But after some time I caught myself on the feeling that there was simply no box. There is a steering wheel, gas and brake pedals - that's all. Moments of gear shifts are not at all felt, which means that the transmission does everything as I would do. It would be interesting to compare our actions (mine and the car) to control the box by timing ...

Despite the fact that the transmission set up on a leisurely smooth ride, attempts to leave in the forefront from the traffic light are easily possible, and they do not lead to a failure in setting. The box seems to know that the elastic engine will take out and does not hurry to retrain: they say, you want speakers - I have it, not like that, of course, like the mechanics, but quite decent, so watch the road and do not forget what to help the brakes engine - it will not work. And I'm not going to - the brakes do their job perfectly and do not need help.

With the advent of Mitsubishi Colt, the Russians received another version of the city car (of course, if such an option enters their budget). And, note, one of the best in the corresponding price category. The machine feels in the automotive conditions of the metropolis as a fish in water, and will fully satisfy those for whom the possibility of clever movement and parking is of great importance.

Peter Ivanitsky
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 7/1999]