The idea of tarting up a standard econo-box isn't new. While it's not exactly clear which manufacturer thought of it first, nearly everybody does it now, usually with some suitably racy combination of the consonants R, S and T (i.e. Type R, Type S, Si, SS, SRT, STI, SE-R, Spec V, SVT, ad nausem).
Mitsubishi is no different, although it has taken the long way around, both in bringing its hot hatch to market and saddling on the requisite sporty name. Ladies and gents - the Colt Ralliart Version-R.
First a bit of etymology, starting from the back. As stated in the press materials: "The Version-R name was chosen to reflect the desire to bring about a Revolution in the conventional compact sports class." And who better to foment this revolution than Ralliart, Mitsubishi's performance arm?
As for the Colt, it's basically Mitsubishi's version of the Scion xA/ Honda Fit/Chevy Aveo - a tiny five-door, five-passenger B-segment box that retails for a little over $10,000 in Japan. Unlike those cars, however, neither the Colt nor Ralliart variant will be coming to the US any time soon. Why do we feature it, then? Because there's a good chance Mitsu will bring the next generation over and, well, we'll drive anything with a racy bit of chrome.
For the sake of full disclosure, I must admit that just prior to sampling the hotted-up Colt, I broke in three of the finest stallions in Mitsubishi's stable (SCC, September 2006, page 68). Would I have been more enamored by Mitsu's newest little filly had I not driven the Evo Wagon, Evo IX, and Evo X handling mule? Perhaps, but as it was, I was pretty impressed with everything about the Ralliart Version-R.
It's hard not to get excited when you first get into a car with really nice racing seats, and that is precisely what the Version-R has - firm yet supportive Recaros that cradle the backside in a velvety fabric. The rest of the cabin is quite racy as well, with nice touches including a leather-wrapped shift knob and the Evo IX's drilled throttle and clutch pedals. Too bad the high, upright seating position and tall shift lever make it hard to fool yourself into thinking you're actually in a purpose-built sports car.
Still, the Version-R is a ton of fun. In fact the R should stand for Riot, because that's exactly what it is when you're mashing the throttle and smoking the tires. This is all made possible by a fast-beating, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder, equipped with Mitubishi's MIVEC variable valve timing system that kicks down 154lb-ft of torque at 3500rpm. A second later, when the needle swings past 6000, you've got 152 horsies straining at the bit. Sure it's not much, but it's still about 45 more than we get in the Fit Sport, xA or Aveo. Plus, all this power is mated to a slick Getrag five-speed and ZF-Sachs clutch, which is perfect, since driving the Version-R fast requires frequent shifting to keep the engine within the fairly narrow powerband.
Finding the limit of this Colt isn't hard, all it takes is decisive direction change, with or without application of the brakes. Doing so sends the car into typical FF understeer followed by activation of Mitsubishi's aggressive Active Stability Control (ASC) system. ASC is a bit of a downer, cutting throttle and applying brakes when it finds you're having too much fun (excessive sliding/wheelspin). But this actually turned into a bit of boon on Mitsubishi's twisty handling course. I found I could drive the Version-R exceptionally fast once I found the margin of performance just before triggering the nanny. Although I have no lap times to show for it, concentrating on driving quickly without initiating the stability control made me feel faster overall.
Multiple chassis reinforcements and suspension developed for the European Colt Turbo apparently improve the Version-R's handling and ride dramatically over the base model. I just drove the Version-R, but found it stiff and stable through the corners. The only real quirk is the car's height, which made for pronounced lean in the slalom. Then again, when taking hard corners, I knew I was lifting the inside rear wheel and have the photos to prove it. Fun, see?
The recipe for hot hatches hasn't changed much over the last 20-odd years: big/turbo motor plus small car. The Colt Ralliart Version-R is a successful Japanese interpretation of this formula, but it's a shame America may never get to sample it. Perhaps a revolution is in order.
By Edward Loh
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