Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart: month 2
Arrived: Apr 2009
List price (including options): £12,349
Average economy: 32.2mpg
The Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart has been -
Turning in some more realistic fuel consumption figures. After the slightly embarrassing near 40mpg my parents managed to get out of the feisty little hatchback it's now getting a more representative 32.2mpg. That's realistic for the typical Colt Ralliart driver, as I doubt many will potter around in it like my parents did - instead spending most of their time giving the 1.5-litre turbocharged unit a real workout.
Most notably the Colt visited some fettled relatives of its own at Walkinshaw Performance, Mitsubishi asking our input on some possible upgrades for the Ralliart. The 35mm drop in ride height improved the prototype car's stance - and remarkably the changes enhanced the ride too - while the red graphics gave it a bit more of a road warrior look. Good as the changes are Mitsubishi needs to boost the power significantly if it's going to be able to justify the proposed £2k cost and give the Colt a real chance to shine among the more recognised hot hatch players.
We're loving the -
Fact that everyone is surprised that the rapid little Colt offers so much pace for so little money. More impressive though is the way the engine has freed up with age and miles, it revving much more freely and harder than ever. It's in the mid-range where it impresses the most, the Colt a very useful overtaking machine on country roads. That's handy as it (and I) is currently residing up in Warwickshire at my girlfriend's mum's place as we await our new flat to become available. Great roads up there, but it's a huge drive to the office; that said the Colt copes with the 160-mile round trip with aplomb, being both comfortable and capable on the motorway and a real giggle on the back roads.
But not so impressed by -
Being between homes really has brought into focus how useful a big boot is and the Ralliart is seriously lacking. It's just about big enough to get my kit in, but only just, the back seat often used as extra luggage space - even if it's something I hate doing for both security and having things flailing around the cabin reasons.
There's a buzzing in the driver's door trim, but that's usually drowned out by the stereo. Though speaking of in car entertainment it'd be much better if the aux-in socket was positioned more thoughtfully than in the middle of the dash - which results in cables hanging around all over the place when I plug in my iPod. If I'm charging my phone and have my TomTom in use too the dashboard has more wiring draped over it than a telephone exchange.
We're looking forward to -
With a place lined up to be moved into in the next few weeks we're looking forward to getting the Ralliart down to its new home in Hove. Its compact dimensions will be great down there where parking is tight, while having the South Downs on our doorstep is sure to mean the Ralliart gets a good few runs on the enjoyable winding roads in the area. A track day is in order too - we'll be looking into that in the next month or two.
