Renault will build the supermini Clio-based on Clio.
Mitsubishi announced in July 2020 that it would cease European activities and not launch any new products. The company changed its mind and will release a new ASX in the early 2023, which will be a Renault-built version of the Captur. The reborn Colt will be joining it later in the year. It will be joined by a reskinned Clio that will be built by the company sporting the diamond logo.
The new Colt has been teased recently. A speculative rendering was published by Kolesa showing how it might differ from its French counterpart. It seems unlikely that Mitsubishi will alter any of the body panels, such as the doors and roof, to keep costs down. Mitsu will give the supermini a new look with redesigned taillights and headlights, along with a corporate grille and resculpted bumpers.
In the teaser image, the Colt’s hidden rear door handle was visible in the C-pillar. This design feature is shared by the mechanically related Nissan Micra. It will be replaced by an electric subcompact hatchback by 2025. It is still unclear how successful Mitsubishi’s version will be, especially when you consider that the Renault Clio is much more popular in Europe.
In the teaser image, the badge reading “Hybrid E-Tech Hybrid” was clearly visible on the door. This suggests that the 2023 Colt will come with an electrified motor. It should borrow hardware from the Clio E-Tech Hybrid. For 140 horsepower, the small hatch combines a 1.6-liter naturally-aspirated engine with an electrical motor. The car’s greatest feature is its fuel efficiency, which will convince many that the days of the diesel engine are numbered.
It will take time to see if the ASX and Colt will boost Mitsubishi’s presence in Europe, or if these products will be outnumbered by their Renault donor cars. This is a timid effort to stay on the Old Continent and leverage on the alliance with Renault, Nissan, and Nissan. It’s a tough task for the trio to launch 35 electric vehicles by the end of this decade.