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Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 CZ2 Cleartec 3dr: Test Drive
Date: 11 May 2009 | Author:
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Mitsubishi has joined the ranks of the sub-121g/km club with the launch of its Cleartec Colt.
Cleartec is Mitsubishi's low-CO2 branding and the Colt is the first model to wear it, with potentially every Mitsubishi, barring the L200 and Shogun, getting a Cleartec version within three years.
The Colt uses a 92PS 1.3-litre engine that, crucially for corporate drivers, is petrol-powered rather than diesel, so benefits from a 10% BIK banding without the 3% diesel surcharge. For £500 over a standard CZ2 Colt 1.3 you get an extra 7.8mpg and emissions dropping 24g/km to 119.
The Colt Cleartec benefits from an excellent stop-start system that stays off for longer than any other we've sampled. Normally they fire up again after about half a minute to keep the radio and aircon running, but in this case it was several minutes. It could react a fraction quicker, though, when you do press the clutch to get the engine to refire.
Both in town and on the motorway it's as good as any small car - comfortable, refined and not lacking in power. But there are some complaints. The seat is set way too high and the plastic supports dig into the driver's kidneys at the first hint of a corner, while interior plastics are of mixed quality and the small boot isn't easy to load into thanks to the parcel shelf that doesn't rise up with the tailgate.
But the Colt Cleartec is a likeable and attractive supermini in the 10% BIK band and with a decent 25.4p per mile running cost. Lower-taxed drivers will pay just £15 per month BIK, which is difficult not to recommend.
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VerdictProbably most attractive fleet car brand produces. Low running costs for a car not as compromised as smaller rivals. |
8/10 |
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