History of generations of the Mitsubishi Colt and Mirage

Description of the car Mitsubishi Colt

Mitsubishi Colt — the name of a series of small cars (B-segment), produced from 1962 to 1971 and from 2002 to 2013 by the Japanese automobile company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. From 1978 to 2002, the car was produced Mitsubishi Mirage, based on the Colt, and which has completely replaced it since 2012. The Mirage and Colt have a complex intertwined history, mostly related to marketing. The American company Chrysler also used the Dodge Colt and Plymouth Colt names in the North American market between 1970 and 1994 as part of a collaboration with Mitsubishi. The body was produced as a hatchback, sedan, station wagon, coupe and convertible. In the first models, the engine was located at the rear, the drive was to the rear wheels. Since 1965, the engine was moved to the front, the drive remained on the rear axle. Since 1978, the front wheels were driven.

Currently, the main classmates and competitors of these small cars today are Chevrolet Aveo, Fiat Punto, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Lada Granta, Mazda 2, Nissan Micra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Renault Logan, Renault Sandero, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris and Volkswagen Polo.

Mitsubishi Colt 600 (1962-1965)

The Colt 600 was a five-seater, two-door sedan manufactured by Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, Ltd., which replaced the Mitsubishi 500. The length of the car was 3,385 mm, the width was 1,410 mm, the height was 1,370 mm, and the curb weight was 555 kg. The engine of this car was located at the rear with rear-wheel drive. The engine capacity was 594 cm³ with a power of 25 hp, the model was NE35A and it was a two-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled. The gearbox was a three-speed manual. The maximum speed of the car was 100 km/h.

The Colt 600 competed in the 1963 Malaysian Grand Prix, where it finished second and third in the 600cc class.

Mitsubishi Colt 800 (1965-1971)

In November 1965, the production of the "Colt 800" with a two-door fastback body began, which the Japanese market saw for the first time. Other body types were the following - a three-door hatchback, a four-door fastback, a three-door station wagon and a two-door pickup. The length of the car was 3620-3740 mm, the width was 1450 mm, the height was 1365-1420 mm, the curb weight was 750 kg. The engine was a three-cylinder two-stroke with a volume of 843 cm³ and a power of 45 hp, which was canceled in 1968. The gearbox was a four-speed manual. All this allowed the car to accelerate to 120 km / h.

In 1966, the four-stroke, four-cylinder in-line engine "KE43" with a volume of 1.0 liter (977 cm³) and a power of 54 hp was introduced. The model became known as "Colt 1000F". This engine was produced until 1969.

In August 1968, the Colt 1100F model was introduced with a 1.1-litre (1088 cc) KE44 engine producing 58 hp and a top speed of 140 km/h. In October 1968, the Super Sport version was introduced with a twin-carburetor engine producing 73 hp and a top speed of 155 km/h.

In May 1969, the model range was updated and renamed "Colt 11-F". Engine power was increased to 62 hp, and the exterior design was slightly changed.

Mitsubishi Colt 1000 (A20, 1963-1971)

The Colt 1000 with chassis code A20 was produced from July 1963 to 1971. The body was presented as a two-door station wagon (length 3905 mm, width 1490 mm, height 1470 mm) and a four-door sedan (length 3820 mm, width 1490 mm, height 1420 mm). The curb weight was 865-880 kg. The station wagon had a folding rear seat and when folded formed a flat loading floor.

The engine was located in the front, with rear-wheel drive. The engine capacity was 1.0 liter (977 cm³, KE43, OHV, I4) with a power of 51 hp. Torque was transmitted through a fully synchronized four-speed manual gearbox. In December 1965, a three-speed semi-automatic gearbox appeared, called "SCAT". The maximum speed with both gearbox options was 125 km / h.

Mitsubishi Colt 1100 (A21, 1966-1968)

The Colt 1100 with chassis code A21 appeared in September 1966 and was produced until 1968. The body was a three-door station wagon and a four-door sedan. The car was 3855 mm long, 1490 mm wide, 1420 mm high and had a curb weight of 800 kg, i.e. it became a little longer and lighter. The length of the station wagon was 3905 mm. The design of the radiator grille was changed, but the main difference from the Colt 1000 was a more powerful 1.1-liter engine (1088 cm³, KE44, OHV, I4, 58 hp). Four-speed manual gearbox. The maximum speed of the sedan was 135 km/h, the station wagon 125 km/h.

Mitsubishi Colt 1200 (A23, 1968-1970)

In May 1968, a car called "New Colt 1200" with chassis code "A23" appeared. The design is very different from its predecessor, primarily due to the large rectangular headlights and radiator grille. At the back, instead of round lights, they also made wide thin rectangular ones. The body was a three- and five-door station wagon or a four-door sedan. The total length of the car was 3975 mm, width 1490, height 1410 mm and the curb weight was 790 kg. The layout remained the same - "Front engine, rear wheel drive". The engine capacity was increased to 1.2 liters (1189 cm³, KE46, OHV, I4) with a power of 66 hp. The gearbox did not change.

Mitsubishi Colt 1500 (A25, 1965-1969)

The Colt 1500 with chassis code A25 appeared in November 1965. The exterior design was similar to the Colt 1000, but four headlights were installed at the front instead of two. The body styles were as follows - a two- and four-door sedan or a two- and four-door station wagon. The length of the car was 3910-3995 mm, the width was 1490 mm, the height was 1395-1425 mm. The engine was installed in the front and had a volume of 1.5 liters (1498 cm³, KE45, OHV, I4) and a power of 70 hp. The gearbox was a three-speed manual, and later a four-speed appeared (Overtop, "OT"). The maximum speed of the sedan was 140-145 km/h. The station wagon reached only 125 km/h.

In December 1966, the 1500 SS model was introduced (Sports Sedan) with a lighter and shorter body from the Colt 1100. In May 1968, the model became the New Colt 1500, receiving the same body modifications as the Colt 1200, including rectangular headlights. The chassis code became A27. In August 1968, the Super Sports model was added, with a twin-carb engine producing 85 hp. In 1969, with the introduction of the "Galant" this car has been discontinued.

Mitsubishi Colt 2002-2013

The design for the revived Colt was developed by French designer Olivier Boulay. The car went on sale in Japan in 2002, and in Europe in 2004. It is based on the same platform as the German hatchback "Smart Forfour". The Kuzo was presented as a three- and five-door hatchback (length 3870-3885 mm, width 1680 mm, height 1550 mm), a five-door station wagon "Colt Plus" (length 4125-4390 mm, width 1680 mm, height 1500 mm) and a two-door convertible with a folding roof (Colt CZC). The convertible was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2005, and went on sale in 2006. The engine was located transversely at the front. The drive was mainly to the front wheels, but all-wheel drive was also produced.

The petrol engines had the following volumes and characteristics: 1.1 litres (1124 cm³, 3A91, I3, 74 hp), 1.3 litres (1332 cm³, 4A90, I4, 94 hp) and 1.5 litres (1499 cm³, 4A91, I4, 109 hp), 1.5 litres (1468 cm³, 4G15T, turbocharging + intercooler, I4, 147 hp). All petrol engines had direct fuel injection "MPI" and electronically controlled variable valve timing system "MIVEC". The diesel engine had one modification with a volume of 1.5 litres (1493 cm³, OM639, DI-D, I3) and a power of 94 hp. The transmission is a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission.

In 2006, the Colt MIEV electric car was introduced, with a separate electric motor in each wheel. The car has a range of 150 km and an estimated charging time of only 10 minutes.

In March 2007, production of the "Colt Plus" was launched in Taiwan with a 1.6-liter (1584 cm³, 4G18, I4) engine producing 112 hp, working together with a CVT. This car is currently being produced in Taiwan. The European Colt was updated in 2008, and in Japan in 2009.

In 2005, the European committee "Euro NCAP" conducted crash tests to find out about the safety of the car. See the results in the table.

Colt 2007 year, wagon

Colt 2007 year, cabriolet

Colt 2006 year, interior

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Description of the car Mitsubishi Mirage

Mitsubishi Mirage — is a subcompact car (B-segment) produced by the Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors Corporation from 1978 to 2003, and production resumed in 2012 and continues to this day. From 1995 to 2003, it was classified as a compact car (C-segment). From 2003 to 2012, it was sold as the "Colt". During its production before 2003, it was called the "Mirage" in Japan, and for export to some countries, the name "Colt" was used, and sedans were sometimes called "Lancer". In North America, the first four generations were sold through Chrysler under the name Dodge Colt or Plymouth Colt. From 1999 to 2003, a subcompact SUV called the Mirage Dingo was produced in Japan.

First generation (A150, 1978-1983)

The first generation of economy cars with front-wheel drive was released in March 1978, amid growing demand for small cars after the 1973 oil crisis. A three-door hatchback (length 3790 mm) was released first, and in September a five-door hatchback (length 3895 mm) appeared. In 1978, a four-door sedan (length 4135 mm) appeared. The width of all models was 1585 mm, the height 1350 mm and the unladen weight 900 kg. The car had independent suspension on all wheels, rack and pinion steering and front disc brakes. The engine was located transversely at the front, the drive to the front wheels. In some markets, the car was sold under the name "Colt". In North America, Chrysler imported the Mirage under the names "Dodge Colt" and "Plymouth Champ".

The engines were initially petrol four-cylinder with a capacity of 1.2 liters (1244 cm³, 4G11, 72 hp) and 1.4 liters (1410 cm³, 4G12, 82 hp). In March 1979, a 1.6 liter engine (1597 cm³, 4G32, 88 hp) was added. In September 1982, a turbocharged version of the 1.4 liter engine appeared (1410 cm³, 4G12T, 105 hp). The gearbox was a five-speed manual and a three-speed automatic. There was also a four-speed manual called "Super Shift" with a second lever for the "low" and "high" range. Thus, this transmission had eight speeds.

In February 1982, the car's model range was updated. A new radiator grille insert was developed, the turn signals and headlights became a single unit, the rear lights became larger. New, more durable supports were made for the engine and gearbox, and the gearbox housing became more durable. The dashboard was updated inside. At the same time, a sedan body appeared under the names "Mirage" and "Lancer Fiore", which should not be confused with the usual "Lancer".

Second generation (C10, 1983-1991)

The second generation car appeared in Japan in 1983. The names were again divided into two - "Mirage" (three- and five-door hatchback, as well as a four-door sedan) and "Lancer Fiore" (four-door sedan). In 1985, a five-door station wagon appeared. There was also a commercial two-seater van, which was simply called the "Mitsubishi Wagon". The length of the car was 4005 mm, width 1635 mm, height 1360 mm and the curb weight was 880 kg. The engine was located transversely in the front. Front-wheel drive, but there were also all-wheel drive modifications. Cars with catalytic converters became available in 1985.

The range of petrol engines has expanded significantly and during the entire production period of the second generation there were the following models: all four-cylinder in-line engines with a volume of 1.2 liters (1198 cm³, 4G16, 55 hp), 1.3 liters (1298 cm³, 4G13, 73 hp), 1.5 liters (1468 cm³, 4G15, 92 hp), 1.5 liters (1499 cm³, 4G31, 105 hp), 1.6 liters (1597 cm³, 4G32, 110 hp), 1.6 liters (1597 cm³, 4G32T, turbocharged, 160 hp) and 1.8 liters (1755 cm³, 4G37, 125 hp). The diesel engine is also a four-cylinder 1.8-liter (1795 cm³, 4D65, 65 hp). The transmission used was a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.

In 1986, a minor facelift was carried out.

Third generation (C50, 1987-1995)

In October 1987, the third generation of the Mirage was introduced in Japan. At first, a three-door hatchback was released (length 4030 mm, width 1670 mm, height 1320 mm), in January 1988 a four-door sedan appeared (length 4320 mm, width 1670 mm, height 1340 mm), and in June 1988 a five-door liftback. The station wagon was produced in the second generation until 1991. As before, the names "Mirage", "Colt" and "Lancer" were used in different countries with different body shapes, often having different names in the same country. In the USA, the cars were also sold as "Dodge Colt", "Plymouth Colt" (three-door only) and "Eagle Summit". The engine is front transverse, front or all-wheel drive.

The range of petrol four-cylinder engines expanded further and included the following models: 1.2 litres (1198 cm³, 4G16, 65 hp), 1.3 litres (1298 cm³, 4G13, 79 hp), 1.5 litres (1468 cm³, 4G15, 92 hp), 1.6 litres (1597 cm³, 4G32/4G32T turbo, 125/145 hp), 1.6 litres (1595 cm³, 4G61/4G61T turbo, DOHC, 123/135 hp), 1.8 litres (1755 cm³, 4G37, 97 hp) and 1.8 litres (1836 cm³, 4G67, DOHC, 135 hp). There was also one diesel engine with a volume of 1.8 liters (1795 cm³, 4D65, 61 hp). The gearbox was a four- or five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic.

Fourth generation (CA0, 1991-1995)

In October 1991, the fourth generation went on sale in Japan. The body became more rounded in accordance with automotive fashion and was a three-door hatchback, a four-door sedan (length 4375 mm, width 1690 mm, height 1325 mm), a five-door station wagon and a two-door coupe (length 4345 mm, width 1680 mm, height 1310 mm). The sedan was offered in two versions - four-window and six-window. The station wagon was called "Mitsubishi Libero", the coupe had the prefix "Asti". The engine location and drive did not change. In the Japanese market, the line "Lancer" had a larger number of models than the Mirage and were distinguished by a more angular body design, although they were based on the same platform. The names of the various models for export were many and varied.

The range of petrol four-cylinder engines was updated and included the following models: 1.3 litres (1298 cm³, 4G13, 79 hp), 1.5 litres (1468 cm³, 4G15, 91 hp), 1.5 litres (1496 cm³, 4G91, 115 hp), 1.6 litres (1597 cm³, 4G92, 145 hp), 1.8 litres (1834 cm³, 4G93, 138 hp) and one turbocharged 1.8 litre (1834 cm³, 4G93T, 197 hp). For the first time, a six-cylinder V-shaped engine with a volume of 1.6 liters (1597 cm³, 6A10, 140 hp) was used. All gasoline engines are equipped with multi-point injection. Diesel engines are represented by two models with a volume of 1.8 liters (1795 cm³, 4D65, 76 hp) and 2.0 liters (1997 cm³, 4D68, 88 hp). The gearbox was four- and five-speed manual, as well as three- and four-speed manual.

Fifth generation (CJ, 1995-2003)

The fifth generation appeared in October 1995 and was created taking into account the consequences of the financial crisis in Japan in 1991. There were three body types - a four-door sedan (length 4410 mm, width 1690 mm, height 1335-1390 mm), a three-door hatchback (length 3900 mm, width 1680 mm, height 1365 mm) and a two-door coupe (length 4270 mm, width 1690 mm, height 1305-1360 mm). The curb weight of the car was 945 kg. The increase in the size of the sedan led to a change in class from subcompact (B-segment) to compact (C-segment). The station wagon was produced by the previous generation. In Japan, the sedan was part of the Lancer range, the coupe and sedan were sold under the names Mirage and Lancer in export markets. In some European markets, the Mitsubishi Carisma has supplanted the sedan.

The following four-cylinder in-line petrol engines were installed: 1.3 liters (1298 cm³, 4G13, 88 hp), 1.5 liters (1499 cm³, 4A91, 109 hp), 1.5 liters (1468 cm³, 4G15, 94 hp), 1.6 liters (1584 cm³, 4G18, 100 hp), 1.6 liters (1597 cm³, 4G92, 113 hp), 1.8 liters (1834 cm³, 4G93, 140 hp) and a turbocharged 1.8 liter (1834 cm³, 4G93T, 212 hp). There was also a six-cylinder V-shaped engine with a volume of 1.8 liters (1829 cm³, 6A11, 133 hp). One diesel engine with a volume of 2.0 liters (1998 cm³, 4D68, 88-94 hp) was installed. The gearbox was a 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic or continuously variable transmission.

In 1997, a minor facelift was carried out. In 2003, production ended and the Mirage name was removed worldwide. The cars in this segment were replaced by the Colt, which began to be produced in 2002.

Sixth generation (2012-present)

The revived sixth generation was unveiled as a concept car at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and production cars were unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. Production began in April 2012 in Thailand, and sales in Japan began in July. The Colt was renamed Mirage in 2012. The Space Star name is used for some European countries. The North American model was unveiled at the 2013 Montreal International Motor Show. There were two body styles - a four-door sedan (length 4245 mm, width 1670 mm, height 1515 mm) and a five-door hatchback (length 3710 mm, width 1665 mm, height 1490 mm). The curb weight is 905-940 kg, making the car one of the lightest in its niche. It also has the lowest drag coefficient in its segment, ranging from 0.27 to 0.31.

Only three-cylinder petrol engines with a capacity of 1.0 liter (999 cm³, 3A90, 68 hp) and 1.2 liter (1193 cm³, 3A92, 74 hp) were installed. The engines are equipped with a start-stop system (Auto Stop & Go) to save fuel in the city. Gearbox five-speed manual "F5MDB" or continuously variable transmission "Jatco JF015E".

The car was updated for the 2017 model year, which was presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2015. The front end was updated, projector headlights, daytime running lights, LED taillights were installed, engine power was increased from 74 to 78 hp, the suspension was improved due to shock absorbers, springs and new brakes. The interior also received numerous aesthetic changes.

Mirage 6, sedan, 2017 year

Mirage 6, sedan, back view

Mirage 6, interior, 2014 year