"The new face of Mitsubishi has arrived. The Colt represents a new direction for Mitsubishi Motors in terms of design and quality," said MMC CEO and president Rolf Eckrodt. The Colt's platform, jointly developed with DaimlerChrysler, meets global safety standards and offers outstanding driving performance. "Our alliance with DaimlerChrysler made it possible to achieve the highest safety and quality levels," Eckrodt added,referring to MMC's Quality Gate system of stringent checks carried out during development and production.

The Colt is a key product in the 3-year MMC Turnaround and is the first new model to be introduced in Japan since the recently announced reorganization of MMC's domestic sales network. The long-awaited Colt also marks MMC's commitment to producing new, exciting products: MMC plans to introduce around 15 new models to the Japanese market by 2007.

"Our Turnaround is on track. We are ahead of schedule in reducing costs and optimizing our processes. And now we have an outstanding new product. The Colt will be the driving force of a sales-led growth in Japan," said Eckrodt. MMC is targeting monthly sales of 7,000 units on average over a 5-year life span.

Both MMC and DaimlerChrysler Smart plan to use the Colt's platform for a compact car in Europe. MMC's European compact car, set for release with a different styling in 2004, will be manufactured at MMC's NedCar plant in the Netherlands with an annual production of about 100,000 units.

Major product features

The Colt delivers all the vehicular performance qualities expected of a subcompact: fuel efficiency, clean emissions, crashworthiness and maneuverability. It also brings class-eclipsing levels of quality in its athletic "one-motion form" and the choice quality of its interior trim and equipment. Major distinguishing features include:

I. Class-eclipsing quality look and feel

• Clean and classy "one-motion form" styling that immediately identifies it as Colt.
• Classy, high comfort interior equipment and trim specification.

II. Balanced performance

• Two new engines achieve the optimum balance between power/acceleration and fuel economy.
• Pliant handling and a comfortable ride.
• All models have received U-LEV certification for emissions performance and qualify for Vehicle Green Tax exemption.
• Outstanding crashworthiness with a new straight frame rail platform and other safety features.

III. Wide freedom of choice in exterior and interior trim and equipment

• A new Customer Free Choice (CFC) system gives customers greater freedom in selection of trim and equipmen

I. Class-eclipsing quality

Chic and sporty exterior

1. Colt features a clean, high-quality design crafted in Europe.
2. The "one-motion form", which flows sweetly from front bumper to the trailing edge of the roof, maximizes occupant space and creates an exterior that immediately identifies the vehicle as Colt.
3. Centering around the large Mitsubishi three-diamond mark, the triangular front-end architecture embodies the new MMC design identity.
4. 4-bulb headlamps feature 3D-styling of reflectors behind clear lenses, projecting a classy and distinctive front visage.
5. Available in a wide choice of 10 body colors, six of which are brand new for Colt. (light Yellow will be available in March 2003.)

Chic and elegant interior

1. The user-focused interior has been developed to realize a premium quality look and feel, and comfort.
2. The dashboard and instrument panel employ a sweeping surface composition that gently wraps around and cocoons front seat occupants.
3. Two interior schemes are offered: "Warm" featuring a bright and clean brown-beige two-tone coordination; and "Cool" using a gray monotone color scheme to evoke a sporty image.
4. Two types of front seat are available: bench or individual.
5. The bench front seat model sports a Useful Seat feature with a 6.1-liter capacity locker under the front passenger seat squab for small-item stowage. The squab can be locked in the raised position, and retaining hooks fitted to the underside to secure luggage.
6. Two rear seat configurations are available: bench and individual. Both types feature 150mm travel adjustment (the individual seats may be adjusted separately) and can be tumble- folded forward to create a cavernous luggage space. The versatile seating makes it possible to tailor the interior for different purposes.
7. The front door trim has a soft pocket that holds a 500ml PET bottle. A mini-trash bin or umbrella pouch,which are available as MMC genuine accessories, can be attached.
8. For greater foot and leg room in the front compartment, Colt uses a column-mounted Smart Shifter and a foot-operated parking brake. These features also create a convenient side walkthrough aisle which also facilitates entry and exit in confined parking spots.

II. Balanced performance

Class-topping road and environmental performance

1. Colt models are powered by new 1.3-liter and 1.5-liter MIVEC DOHC engines mated to continuously variable transmissions in powertrains that realize nimble, responsive performance.
   
   1.3-liter MIVEC.... 66kW (90PS), 121Nm (123kg-m)
   1.5-liter MIVEC.... 72kW (98PS), 132Nm (13.5kg-m)
2. The 1.3-liter Colt returns top class fuel consumption of 20km/liter in the Japanese 10-15 urban driving pattern (mileage varies with equipment specification).
3. All Colt models have received U-LEV certification for emissions performance that is 75% better than required by Japanese 2000 emissions standards, and also qualify for Vehicle Green Tax exemption for meeting Japanese 2010 mileage standards.
4. Colt's suspension uses a new MacPherson strut arrangement at the front and torsion beam arrangement at the rear to marry pliant handling characteristics and stability with a flat and comfortable ride.

New platform and safety

1. To be co-shared with DaimlerChrysler, the new platform uses a straight frame rail design. This combines a straight side rail structure, which transmits impact energy linearly, with octagonal-section front side members, which absorb impact energy very efficiently, to realize a dramatic improvement in crash energy absorption and provide a high level of occupant cell protection.
2. All Colt models are fitted as standard with driver and front passenger airbags. Side airbags for front seats and side curtain airbags for front and rear seats are available on all models.
3. Other elements adding to Colt's class-topping crashworthiness by reducing lower-limb injuries include a retracting brake pedal and parking brake pedal.
4. In addition to 3-point rear seat belts fitted with child seat retainers, Colt's comprehensive safety specification also includes a ISO-FIX child safety seat retaining bar fitted as standard.

III. "Freedom of choice" exterior and interior trim and equipment selection

Customer Free Choice

1. Introduced as a new user-focused sales initiative, the Customer Free Choice (CFC) system gives the car purchaser greater freedom in selection of trim and equipment at prices he is happy with. By enabling the customer to choose from options that were only available to specific trim levels in the past, he is able to tailor his Colt to his needs, tastes and lifestyle by putting together his desired exterior and interior colors, seat type and even equipment specification while deleting those items he does not require.
2. CFC offers three basic packages for the customer to start his selection from. Casual Version features a basic compact class specification; Elegance Version with its brown-beige 2-tone Warm interior color scheme and bench front seat; and Sport-X Version with a full-feature sports specification including aero parts and 15-inch alloy road wheels.
3. Also available is a Standard Version which enables the customer to "full order" tailor the equipment and other specifications to his own requirements, and the Sport Version which, based on the Sport-X Version, offers a wide choice of audio and other dealer options.
4. Catering to individual preferences and budgets, CFC also enables the customer to tailor factory-fitted options: including 19 different items ranging from seat type to interior color scheme; as well as being able to add, change or delete 14 other items including fog lamps among others.
5. To give the customer even greater freedom of choice and enable him to tailor his vehicle more precisely to his requirements and preferences, CFC also offers a wide range of genuine MMC accessories as dealer options.
6. The Colt purchaser is able to further tailor exterior and interior trim specifications in the following ways: By opting for a pet seat cover and/or chill bag on Useful Seat bench front seat models; by adding a "petit dome" box and/or MD box on individual front seat models fitted with the available System Tray; and by opting for aero parts or various seat upholstery choices.

ROAR and RALLIART customizing packages

1. Colt is offered with the ROAR customized package that has proved very popular with MMC's eK Wagon and Airtrek models. In a sporty design matched specifically to the body lines, the package adds further definition to Colt's elegantly chic styling.
2. Roar package components are made of impact-resistant ABS plastic which boasts outstanding heat-resistance and recyclability. Much more than simple adornments, they have been developed and designed with durability and the environment in mind and come with a one-year or 20,000 kilometer warranty.
3. Colt is also available with a Ralliart package which includes sports suspension that stretches the performance envelope and a sports muffler that plays a mellifluous burble at idle and a deep, throaty tune under acceleration.

Hearty Run model with turn-&-slide passenger seat (December 2002 introduction)

1. The Hearty Run version is fitted with a front passenger seat that swivels through 90-degrees and then slides 230mm outboard to make entry and exit a safe and easy maneuver for anyone.
2. Flip up armrests on either side of the front passenger seat and a built-in footrest further facilitate entry and exit.

Sales information

1. Available at: Galant and Car Plaza dealerships throughout Japan
2. Monthly sales target: 7,000 vehicles

24- hour service

To give customers full peace of mind, in case of defects or trouble, MMC will offer a 24- hour roadside assistance program for the first 3 years of ownership.

Manufacturer's recommended prices in Japan