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2007 Mitsubishi Colt CZT Road Test

Contrary to popular belief, it is still possible to have fun in a car

What a difference a little turbocharger makes... 150 hp isn't a lot these days, but the lightweight Colt CZT is a blast. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

that's got less than 200 horsepower. I can name two off the top of my head - the Mazda MX-5 and the MINI Cooper, three, if you count the turbocharged S version. But what about the rest of them? Where did our little, sprightly hatchbacks go? They grew up, got big and sophisticated. They turned into Audi A3s and so on, which, while fun to drive, are bigger, heavier and more expensive than they used to be. What people need is a pallet cleanser, something light and agile, something that uses its ability to tiptoe from corner to corner instead of hammer around curves using brute force. Such a car exists, and it comes from Japan. It's called the Colt CZT, and like many wonderful products which would undoubtedly make the world a better place if sold globally, you can't buy one in the United States.

Earlier this year, I wrote about a small car called the Mitsubishi Colt, and for all intents and purposes it was a common but intelligent European subcompact with an impressive diesel engine and a spacious interior. I quite liked it, from the way that it drove to the way that it required me to only fill up once for a distance that would usually require two and a half trips to the gas station. I especially liked that even in the city, I was able to travel more

The detail of the interior is unlike anything else in the subcompact sector. It's quite frankly the nicest subcompact yet. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

than 59 mpg. It sounds a bit dull to be honest, at least when compared to some of the other cars that we've tested this summer, but this one's different - it's like a Colt that's been to the gym, a Colt Ralliart, if you will.

What makes the Colt CZT so special is its engine. Under the hood is a four-cylinder powerplant that's 1.5-liters in displacement, which is about average for the subcompact segment. And like most of the other engines it competes with, it's got variable valve timing, dual overhead camshafts and sixteen little valves moving up and down to give it punch while maximizing efficiency. Where this one differs from the Honda Fits and Chevrolet Aveos of the world is that it has a little turbocharger bolted on, with a wee little intercooler to help things out. And so the Colt's output rises from an efficient if not mundane 109 hp on the naturally aspirated version of this motor to 150 horsepower and a fat 155 lb-ft of torque. Interested yet?

If not, you ought to be by the time you slot the key in and twist. The engine barks to life, the usual, buzzy muted inline four being transmogrified into an off-beat growl by an aggressive sports exhaust. Even more interestingly

Red stitching, white gauges, yes, this is a true hot hatch. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

is that this is an engine that you need to work over in order to get the most out of it. Sure, the turbo helps to hasten the pace, and its smallish turbine assists in reducing lag, but with only a liter and a half to work with it lacks the low-down grunt that larger size engines possess. Once you've hit the sweet spot at around 2,500 rpm, it takes off like a bottle rocket. It's still easy work keeping the engine up and boiling through the light clutch and even lighter shifter which happily slots in place from gear to gear. More impressive than its relatively quick 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds is its in-gear acceleration. The gearing isn't too short, so cruising at 60 mph on the highway in fifth results in a fairly civilized 3,000 rpm, though the exhaust is a touch droney. And because of its tiny displacement the CZT is still a fuel miser, sipping just 32 mpg after a week of hard-ish driving.

And it isn't even as if the engine is the only interesting thing about the CZT. It sits on a lowered suspension setup with firmer springs and dampers to counteract its tallish body proportions. The steering isn't as full of life as I'd

Cabin is a world of textures, patterns and colors. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

like, but it's plenty quick and plenty heavy, which makes every turn an event worth looking forward to. It also grips like no other subcompact car short of a Mini, thanks in part to its wide, low-profile Continental sport rubber. And using the Mini as a benchmark, you'll find the Colt to be a little softer around the edges, making it the more comfortable ride. Out of corners, while on the boost there's a bit of wheel spin and torque steer which could be cured by an LSD. As such, the CZT feels like it's always ready to have fun. In its own, thrilling way, this little Mitsubishi comes together like no other subcompact can, flattering you with the rush of the turbo, the grip and the general sensation of fun.

Even the interior of the CZT is special, full of the nice touches and clever details that are sorely lacking in the subcompact cars being sold to us. The seats have tall, supportive bolsters that hug you in tight, and there's a sense of quality in the leather-wrapped and red-stitched shift knob and steering wheel, not to mention the recurring “square” theme, which is evident

Why haven't other subcompact cars experimented with turbos? (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

on practically all surfaces, adding additional visual flair. And of course there's the semi-translucent, pastel blue rings around the stereo, the accordion shifter boot and the central spar that bridges the console and tunnel. If those splashes of color and texture alone weren't enough, the fact that they glow green at night most assuredly should put you in the right mood.

Just like any modern B-Segment hatch, the Colt is roomy and spacious beyond belief. Its height gives it a sensation of roominess, and allows the seats to be positioned higher, which in turn provides generous amounts of front and rear seat legroom, knee room and headroom. Like the five-door model tested earlier this year, the rear seats slide back and forth, and fold for a total of 26.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Yes, there's no shortage of practicality here. In terms of equipment it comes very well sorted, with six airbags (including curtain bags), ABS, stability control, power windows, power mirrors, keyless entry, air conditioning, and a CD stereo. Indeed, everything you need comes standard. CZTs also get a cool-looking body kit, bigger alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and fog lights.

Practical, well-built, cheap to run, good looking, and most importantly, very fun. You really can't ask for more out of a subcompact car. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

The Colt CZT is a perfect match for the American marketplace, catering to our tastes for small sized vehicles yet boasting big-car performance and features. The biggest problem that Mitsubishi faces (besides the need to significantly re-engineer it before it would pass our regulations) is how to deal with the issue of pricing. The CZT, like all other Colts feels expensive and over-engineered by class standards, and we're not sure if consumers would be willing to fork over hard earned money for this sort of thing, although vehicles like the Mini Cooper and the Audi A3 are starting to break down the “cheap car” image barrier that hatchbacks possess. Part of its higher price is due to expensive European labor (yes, it's built in Holland, not Japan), not to mention the cost of the performance goodies like the turbo and intercooler, neither of which are cheap.

Even though $15,000 or 17,000 is an absolutely reasonable sum to ask and a price that would most likely leave Mitsubishi with a (very slim) profit margin, it'd be akin to extortion for a subcompact vehicle without the premium badge. Just the same, every single person in the Colt CZT's target demographic that caught a glimpse of the car or received a ride would put it at the top of their list, and most likely would be willing to pay the price for such a well built, fun to drive vehicle. It's a sign as clear as day that Mitsubishi's U.S. operation should really consider adding it, or something very similar to its future business plan.

Specifications (Mitsubishi Colt CZT):

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