Mitsubishi Colt CZC Range : THE TURIN OPEN

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Although itll only ever be a minority player, Mitsubishis Colt CZC is a welcome and interesting option in the current selection of Coupe-Cabriolets. By Andy Enright

Car makers call it packaging and its an art rather than a science. Basically, it involves cramming all the essential features into the space available. More space tends to equal easier packaging but if youre dealing with a very small car rammed with a lot of space hungry features, manufacturers really need to earn their corn. One vehicle that aims to squeeze extra helpings of utility into a tiny road footprint is Mitsubishis Colt CZC coupe-cabriolet.

The overtime budget must have really been blown bringing this model to fruition.

Mitsubishi based the CZC prototype on the chassis and running gear of their existing Colt five-door hatch. Which means that they needed to engineer a folding hard top roof and space for two adults up front plus two occasional seats behind into a wheelbase of no more than 2,500mm. Thats quite a task and the results, while impressive from a utility standpoint, wont win Mitsubishi any awards for aesthetics. That may be a little harsh as with the roof folded into the boot, the Colt CZC is a cheeky and rather appealing looking thing, with a pleasantly wedge-shaped profile and a cheeky wheel-at-each-corner stance.

It looks less happy when the roof is raised, giving it a rather odd push-me-pull-you appearance thanks to the relatively short bonnet and long rear deck. Other rivals, such as Vauxhalls Tigra, have shown that it is possible to produce a small coupe-cabriolet that doesnt look like a spud when the roof is in place, so Mitsubishi may struggle for sales in a sector of the market thats becoming quite vicious. They do, however, have an ace up their sleeve. Alongside the normally aspirated 1.

5-litre 107bhp powerplant, theres also a model that hands the Tigra a question it just cant answer. Mitsubishi have taken the turbocharged 148bhp 1.5-litre engine from their Colt CZT hatch and have plumbed it into the nose of the CZC, giving this car an unexpected dose of attitude.

"Sleekness may not be one of the Colt CZCs overwhelming qualities, but it is well equipped, well engineered and decent value"

This engine features double overhead cams, 16 valves, and an intercooler that will punt it to 60mph in 8.1 seconds before surging on to a top speed of 126mph. Thats a little slower than its hatchback sibling due to the weight of the roof mechanism and the chassis reinforcing required with an open car but its still a respectable turn of pace. The 210Nm of torque on offer isnt to be sniffed at either: its more than a Honda S2000 roadster can come up with. Its quite rare these days to chance across an affordable, fast open-topped car that seats four at a pinch and, if the CZT is anything to go by, the power delivery of the CZC Turbo will be seriously fun. In hatch form, this engine is a little sluggish if caught off boost but when the turbo comes on stream at around 3,250rpm it feels genuinely rapid - far quicker than 148bhp has any right to feel. In fact, the dip and surge onrush of power give it far more drama than a car with a more linear power delivery.

With a little electronics tweaking, the CZC Turbo could embarrass some serious hot hatches. The other model in the range may not have the eye-catching figures of the Turbo but Mitsubishi will be directing most of their sales push towards it, making a significant dent in Vauxhall, Nissan and Peugeots bottom line. The normally aspirated 1,499cc powerplant in the 1,110kg Colt CZC produces 107bhp at 6,000rpm and 107lb/ft of torque at 4,000rpm. Its enough for a 10.

2 second sprint to 60mph and a top speed of 114mph, while 42.8mpg is possible on the combined cycle, as is a CO2 level of 157g/km. Naturally, both engines are Euro IV compliant. The CZC comes from decent stock, as the hatchback Colt features one of the most spacious cabins in its class.

Theres only so much room between the front and rear wheels, however, and the folding hard top, while extending the rump of the car backwards, also eats into the space available for the rear seats. Unlike the relatively generous knee room on offer in the hatch, the CZCs rear seats are best left for shopping or very small kids. Get a tall driver or passenger up front and the available rear leg room virtually vanishes. Still, the CZC isnt targeted at growing families, instead aiming at twenty and thirtysomethings looking for an inexpensive, reliable, cheeky and fun car.

Without the addition of the turbo model, youd have to say the CZC was somewhat gender-specific. Sharing much of its underpinnings with Smarts forfour, the Colt CZC also adopts a few of the Smarts neat design touches. The interior is functional but very well executed. The urge to over-complicate matters has been resisted but there is some very nice detailing with only the quality of the plastics occasionally letting the Colt down.

The round dials with their silver centres are highlighted with white surrounds that glow a pale green in the dark. Then theres the white column fabricated from the same luminous material that runs from the centre console down to the base of the gearstick. Its unusual but overall the interior pulls together very nicely. Compulsive button-prodders probably wont find a whole lot to keep them amused but if you appreciate pared-down cleanliness, youll get on just fine with the Colt CZCs cabin.

Mitsubishi may have given the CZC a minimalist look and feel inside but its actually fairly well equipped. As with all current Mitsubishi models, the CZC comes laden with standard equipment, including alloy wheels, air-conditioning, leather trimmed steering wheel and gear lever, radio/CD/MP3 stereo, four airbags, anti-lock brakes with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) and integrated front fog lights. Upgrading to the Colt CZC Turbo adds sports suspension, M-ASTC stability and traction control, part leather seats, a restyled front bumper and unique 16inch alloy wheels. Unlike its hatchback sibling which is built in Holland, the CZC rolls out of Pininfarinas Bairo plant near Turin.

Priced from just £9,999 for the entry-level 1.5-litre model and £15,999 for the CZC Turbo, its an interesting addition to a growing market sector. With the roof down, you could almost call it good looking.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Mitsubishi Colt CZC range
PRICES: £9,999-£15,999 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 12-15 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 157-168g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.5 Turbo] 0-60mph 8.1s / Max Speed 126mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.5] (combined) 42.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Front airbags, ABS with EBD.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 3820/1695/1520mm