New Colt points itself at Europe

Mitsubishi has revealed early photos of its new Colt, due to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The long-awaited hatchback is the first car to come from Mitsubishi's alliance with DaimlerChrysler - which holds a 37 per cent stake in the Japanese firm - and is being heralded as its most significant car for the European market since its turnaround plan was started two years ago.

Aimed specifically at customers in Europe, the new Colt differs substantially from the version on sale in Japan since November 2002.

The target is the B-Segment, where Nissan's Micra and Ford's Fiesta are currently doing battle with Peugeot's 206. The new Colt will come with three petrol engines - 1.1-litre, 1.3-litre and 1.5-litre - and two 1.5-litre DOHC turbocharged common-rail diesels. The petrol engines are all MIVEC1 engines, jointly engineered by Mitsubishi and Smart, while the diesels will come from DaimlerChrysler. However, it's too early to say which of these will be on offer when the Colt goes on sale here in July.

Mitsubishi will build the new Colt at its NedCar plant at Born in the Netherlands, alongside the Smart forfour. The two models have the same chassis and engine.

Mitsubishi will also reveal a three-door concept version at Geneva. Designed under the direction of Olivier Boulay, head of Mitsubishi Motors Design, it's likely to be a more sporty version.