Mitsubishi · 1962–2025

Mitsubishi Colt

The Mitsubishi Colt is a nameplate from Mitsubishi Motors that has been applied to a number of automobiles since 1962. It was first introduced with a series of subcompact cars in the 1960s, and then for the export version of the subcompact Mirage between 1978 and 2002. Chrysler, Mitsubishi's longtime partner, also used the name when applying its long-running practice of rebadging Mitsubishi vehicles as the Dodge and Plymouth Colt captive imports for the North American market between 1970 and 1994. The most recent version was a subcompact car model manufactured between 2002 and 2013, sold under the Colt nameplate internationally. Mitsubishi replaced this series in 2013 with a newer generation which reverted to the Mirage name. In addition to these small cars, "Colt" in the Mitsubishi vernacular has been used for unrelated vehicles of various forms as discussed below. The name has also been disaffiliated from Mitsubishi as an independent marque in some markets.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Mitsubishi 500 · Successor: Mitsubishi Mirage

All Mitsubishi Colt data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Nameplate history

The "Colt" nameplate was first introduced in 1962, which started as a line of small cars sold predominantly in Japan. These models continued on in various similar forms until 1971. Between 1978 and 2002, the nameplate was applied to export versions of the Mirage in markets such as Europe and for a time, in Australia. Between 2002 and 2013, the nameplate was referred to a subcompact hatchback (and derivative body styles) that replaced the Mirage line. Unlike previously, the "Colt" nameplate was used internationally. Various other unrelated models have been designated "Colt" over time as well. As the successor of the Colt 1500, the first generation Galant was marketed as the "Colt Galant"–including the closely related "Colt Galant GTO" sport car–in Japan and various export markets. The L200 pickup truck in South Africa utilised the "Colt" nameplate from 1992 to 2008. The nameplate is also used in export markets (mostly in Indonesia) for a series of light commercial vehicles consisting of Delica-based "Colt T100/T120/L300 (L030 only)" (1968–present), Suzuki Carry Futura-based "Colt T120SS" (1991–2019), and Canter-based "Colt Diesel" (1975–2022; T200/T210, FE1, FE3/FE4, FE7/FE8 only). Colt was also used as a marque from 1974 to 1984 by the Colt Car Company to market Mitsubishi vehicles in the United Kingdom, where the name had unfortunate associations with the Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane from World War II, while also being hard to pronounce. In New Zealand, the Colt brand ceased in favour of the Mitsubishi name in 1970, upon the release of the "Dyna-wedge" Galant model.

Colt 600, 800, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1500 (1962–1971)

Mitsubishi introduced the "Colt" name in 1962 on the Mitsubishi Colt 600, the first of a line of small family cars complementing their Mitsubishi 500, the company's first post-war passenger car. The Colt 600 is powered by a 594 cc NE35B OHV air-cooled straight-twin engine. At this time, Mitsubishi did not yet exist as an autonomous company, and vehicles were being produced by three regional subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. MHI, which had been formally dismantled after World War II, resumed operating as a single entity in 1964, but continued to use the "Colt" marque until the 1970s in Asia, and the 1980s in Europe. To complement the 600, a larger compact car was introduced in 1963, the Colt 1000. The larger Colt 1500 arrived in 1965, the Colt 1100 replaced the Colt 1000 in 1966, and the Colt 1200 took the 1100's place in 1968. The third Colt line was the smaller, fastback Colt 800 and its derivatives the 1000F, 1100F, and 11-F. This series was built from 1965 until late 1971.

Mirage-based Colt (1978–2002)

Mitsubishi reintroduced the Colt nameplate as a front-wheel drive hatchback in 1978, with a sedan later released in 1982. Sold in Japan as the Mirage, the Colt name was restricted to markets such as Europe and Australia (where the Colt was built by Mitsubishi Motors Australia from 1982 to late 1989). Five generations of Mirage-based Colts were sold between 1978 and 2002, with new generations released in 1983, 1987, 1991, and 1995. These Mirage derivatives were sold in various forms as the Mitsubishi Lancer in many markets, with the Colt nameplate in Europe typically restricted to the hatchback variants; coupes, sedans and station wagons were relegated to the Lancer name.

Colt (Z20/Z30; 2002)

In November 2002, a new Colt was released by Mitsubishi in Japan with a design by Olivier Boulay and built on the same platform as the Smart Forfour. Bearing the Z20 model code, this also marked the return of the Colt nameplate in Japan since the Colt Galant GTO. Only the five-door body style was manufactured in Japan and initially powered by 1.3- and 1.5-litre DOHC MIVEC Orion engines, mated only to a CVT. The Z20 series Colt was only exported to a handful of right-hand drive countries in Asia-Pacific. A European version made at Mitsubishi's NedCar facility followed into production in April 2004 and was given the Z30 model code. The models were powered by the newer 1.1-, 1.3-, and 1.5-litre DOHC MIVEC petrol 3/4A9 engines, and a 1.5-litre OM639 turbodiesel engine sourced from Mercedes-Benz (added in June). Unlike the Z20, the Z30 series came equipped with a standard five-speed manual transmission, and an optional six-speed automated manual transmission "Allshift" for engines above the base 1.1-litre. The Japanese-built Z20 series underwent a facelift in October 2004, now powered by the 4A9 series engine as per the Z30 series. The high-performance Ralliart was also added to the line-up, powered by a turbocharged version of the 4G15 Orion series engine. This 1.5-litre high-performance engine was based on the 4G15 block, with a turbocharger and intercooler to aid power (up to 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6000 rpm and 180 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) of torque at 3500 rpm). MIVEC variable valve timing was also used to increase the output, upping the power dramatically from the naturally aspirated 4G15 version, which only producing 98 PS (72 kW; 97 hp) and 132 N⋅m (97 lb⋅ft) of torque. This engine later made its way to the Z30 series in January 2005 under the CZT badge, as part of the new

Renault Clio-based Colt (2023–2025)

The Colt nameplate was revived in 2023 as a rebadged fifth-generation Renault Clio. It was discontinued at the end of 2025, following the end of the production of the fifth-generation Renault Clio by Oyak-Renault, which was also manufacturing the Mitsubishi Colt.

Concept cars

The Colt was the base platform for a number of Mitsubishi concept cars. Colt 600 convertible (1962). The Colt 600 convertible was a concept two-seat convertible version of the production Colt 600 sedan introduced at the 9th Tokyo Motor Show in 1962 by Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries, It was never offered to the public. Colt Targa (1986) The Colt Targa Concept was a futuristic looking two-door, two-seater version of the Colt with its roof chopped off and shorter windshield and side windows. It was driven by Jackie Chan in the 1986 Hong Kong film Armour of God. It was a special one-off model made by Mitsubishi for this movie. CZ2 (2001). The CZ2 was a prototype urban car which presaged the next generation of the Colt. CZ3 Tarmac (2001). The CZ3 Tarmac was a larger version of the CZ2, sharing the same platform but with more interior space and a larger engine. It was also a possible replacement for the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution as the company's vehicle in the World Rally Championship. CZ3 Tarmac Spyder (2003). The CZ3 Tarmac Spyder was a concept convertible version of the CZ3 Tarmac. It debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. CZ2 cabriolet (2003). The CZ2 cabriolet was a convertible version of the 2001 CZ2 prototype. It was shown at the 73rd Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland in 2003. Colt EV (2005). The 2005 Mitsubishi Colt EV was an electric car driven by two in-wheel motors located in the rear wheels each producing a power of 20 kW (27 hp) and 600 N·m of torque without the need for a transmission. This gave the car a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) and an estimated range of 150 km (93 mi) with a 13 kWh battery pack. It had a suggested price tag of US$19,000.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Mitsubishi Colt
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi Motors (1962–2014), Renault (2023–2025)
Production: 1962–1971, 1978–2014, 2023–2025

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q934776CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_ColtCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377797125 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mitsubishi_Colt_VI_CZ3_Modellpflege_(seit_2008)_front_MJ.JPGCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: No machine-readable author provided. M 93 assumed (based on copyright claims). · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.