Mitsubishi unveils Ralliart-inspired hot hatch concept
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Mitsubishi's Czech division has unveiled a concept version of its Colt hatch with several enhancements, including more power, larger wheels, and stickier tyres.
A concept version of the Mitsubishi Colt hatch – a rebadged Renault Clio only sold in Europe – has debuted with performance enhancements.
Mitsubishi's division in the Czech Republic has unveiled the one-off Colt Performance concept with a retuned version of its Renault Clio-derived 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine delivering 95kW and 222Nm, up from 67kW and 160Nm.
It remains matched to a six-speed manual transmission.
Other enhancements for the Ralliart-inspired Colt Performance concept include a front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser, lightweight 18-inch OZ Racing Superturismo GT wheels, and stickier Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport tyres.
It wears a unique livery with red and white decals and a 'Performance' logo with a similar look to the brand's Ralliart high-performance division.
The last Ralliart vehicle sold by Mitsubishi was the all-wheel-drive Lancer Ralliart discontinued in 2015.
Ralliart was the division responsible for the Lancer Evolution, Pajero Evolution and Colt Ralliart models, with the final Lancer Evolution also made in 2015 as Mitsubishi wound down production of the ageing Lancer sedan.
In December 2023, Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott said a more powerful Triton Ralliart ute was "under study" – potentially seeing the return of the first Ralliart-branded model in a decade – but it is yet to be confirmed.
"Our global vice president made it clear that Mitsubishi is looking into the space of a Ralliart version for the future," Westcott said.
MORE: More powerful Mitsubishi Triton Ralliart on the cards
“I can’t tell you exactly when and what the timing will be, but there’s definitely understudies – the words that my boss used – that’s under study.”
Globally, Mitsubishi has introduced Ralliart sticker packs for the Outlander, Eclipse Cross, Outlander Sport (ASX) and Mirage in the United States, and the Triton and Pajero Sport in South-East Asia.
Westcott said Mitsubishi Australia had the option of taking the sticker packs but declined due to the lack of performance enhancements.
“I declined, I said ‘I don’t want a sticker pack’. For me, Ralliart is about performance, and I’d really like to see a vehicle that is enhanced in some way."
The Mitsubishi Colt is exclusively sold in Europe as a rebadged Renault Clio made in Turkey, joining the European-market ASX based on the Renault Captur.
In 2025, Mitsubishi will introduce two additional Renault-based vehicles in Europe with a rebadged Renault Symboiz hybrid and another vehicle derived from the all-electric Renault Scenic E-Tech.
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