Mitsubishi Colt CZC (2006 – 2011) Review
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
Mitsubishi Colt CZC (2006 – 2011) At A Glance
Folding hardtop, four seats and decent boot space even with the roof stowed, well equipped, cheap CZC1 from November 2007.
Looks dumpy with the roof up, lacks structural rigidity when you lower the roof, rear seats are very tight for adults.
The concept car looked great at motor shows. But that was before they had to engineer a hard top and a boot it would fold into. So it shares the sort of cab-forward big rump look of the 307CC and from the side with the top up looks distinctly dumpy.
But unclip the roof locks, pull the button on the door handle, and it transforms itself from a plumpkin into a cute little cabrio. It still isn't ‘drop-head gorgeous', but, like Page 3 of The Sun, it looks a lot better topless.
Reviews for Mitsubishi Colt CZC (2006 – 2011)'s top 3 rivals
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
Mitsubishi Colt CZC (2006 – 2011) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.5 Turbo to 1.5
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 35–44 mpg
Top up, in the rain that greeted us for our test, it feels like a very solid little thing. The version with TURBO emblazoned in large chrome letters on its rump shares the same fairly heavy steering of the CZT hatchback. This is an advantage on the motorway (even allowing you to drive ‘hands off' for a while if you want to) and you can build as much muscle on the way to the gym as you can pumping iron once you get there.
It also passed the fingers test, by which you poke your fingers into the bottom of the door-shut to see how much the body flexes. (This can be painful but it wasn't on the Colt.) The engine is smooth and torquey with no turbo lag, a bit like a smaller version of VAG's 2.0TFSI. And, top-up, the handling is grippy and predictable.
Drop the top, though, and with nothing holding the top of the car together it's not quite the same. The scuttle shakes through the steering wheel and the ends of your fingers do start to get bruised in the door shuts. It's not bad. Certainly no worse than the average folding tin top. But it isn't the rock solid little racer it feels with the top up.
The non TURBO 1.5 is altogether softer and more feminine. Mainly, the steering is much lighter, the power is a lot less and the insurance drops all of seven groups down to 8E.
Mitsubishi reckons the car's main market is women aged 30 to 60. Pretty much the same market as the Peugeot 206CC and the Vauxhall Tigra.
That's okay. If all of them bought 206Ccs it would be a bit like them all buying the same outfits at Marks & Spencers then turning up at the same event in them.
At least the boot of the Colt CZC allows for plenty of changes of clothes. And the turbo has a sweet engine under its bonnet.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | 43 mpg | 10.5 s | 157 g/km |
| 1.5 Turbo | 40 mpg | 8.4 s | 168 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Mitsubishi Colt CZC (2006 – 2011)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
94%
Real MPG
35–44 mpg
MPGs submitted
11
Mitsubishi Colt CZC (2006 – 2011) interior
- Boot space is 171–460 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3875–3885 mm |
| Width | 1695 mm |
| Height | 1453–1457 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500 mm |
An advantage of its big bum (let's not mess around trying to be politically correct) is the amount of stuff you can shove inside it. There's enough room in there for a lady's luggage. Or the roof. But not both. Which actually makes a lot of sense because you don't want the top down on the autoroute to the South of France anyway. You want it up with the a/c on, or your teeth will fill with bugs and your hair with hydrocarbons.
If you're prepared to squash yourself up like a gnome you can actually get four of you into the car for short distances. Which is okay, too. Three of you can drink and the other can't.
Mitsubishi Colt CZC (2006 – 2011) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3875–3885 mm |
| Width | 1695 mm |
| Height | 1453–1457 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1110–1200 kg |
| Boot Space | 171–460 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12500 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £9,999–£16,214 |
| Insurance Groups | - |
| Road Tax Bands | G–H |
| Official MPG | 39.8–42.8 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
On sale until April 2009
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 CZC1 Cabriolet | £9,999 | 42.8 mpg | 10.5 s |
| 1.5 CZC2 Cabriolet | £10,399 | 42.8 mpg | 10.5 s |
| 1.5 CZC3 Cabriolet | £10,999 | 42.8 mpg | 10.5 s |
On sale until March 2008
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 Turbo CZC Cabriolet | £15,999 | 39.8 mpg | 8.4 s |
On sale until October 2007
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 CZC Cabriolet | £14,189 | 42.8 mpg | 10.5 s |
| 1.5 Turbo CZC Cabriolet | £16,214 | 39.8 mpg | 8.4 s |
On sale until July 2007
| Open Car | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.5 CZC Cabriolet | £14,189 | 42.8 mpg | 10.5 s |
Model History
- February 2005: First official pictures released
- March 2006: Colt CZC goes into production
- March 2006: Production moves
- November 2007: New low-priced variation revealed
February 2005
First official pictures released
Official pictures first released February 2005.
March 2006
Colt CZC goes into production
In production from 7 March 2006 and in UK from April 2006. Design and engineering shared between Mitsubishi Motors Corporation & Pininfarina. Turbocharged 147bhp 1.5-litre engine or 107bhp non turbo 1.5. Prices from £13,999 for the 1.5 and £15,999 for the turbo. Based on longer floorpan of 5-dr Colt with 2500mm wheelbase and wide 1460mm front and 1445mm rear tracks. Genuine 2+2 seating as as well as a generous luggage compartment, even when the roof is retracted. 5-speed manual transmissions.
CZC Turbo has 147bhp and 6000rpm and 155lb ft of torque at 3500rpm, hits 62mph in 8.4seconds and has a 126mph maximum speed. 39.8mpg on combined cycle and CO2 rating of 168g/km.
I.5 produces 107bhp at 6000rpm and 107lb ft of torque at 4000rpm for a 10.5second 0-62mph and top speed of 114mph, while returning 42.8mpg on combined cycle and a CO2 of 157g/km.
Standard equipment, includes 16inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, leather steering wheel and gear lever, radio/CD/MP3 stereo, four airbags, ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) and integrated front fog lights.
Upgrading to the Colt CZC Turbo adds sports suspension, M-ASTC stability and traction control, part leather seats, a restyled front bumper and unique 16inch alloy wheels to the already long list of as-standard features.
March 2006
Production moves
Production at Pininfarina’s Bairo plant near Turin
November 2007
New low-priced variation revealed
A new £9,999 variant named the CZC1, which will only be available in Espresso Black. The CZC1 will offer an incredible 25% saving on the previous equivalent value at just £9,999. Standard equipment includes air conditioning, ABS with EBD, CD / Tuner with MP3 capability and steering wheel audio controls, driver, passenger and side airbags, and a full colour-keyed body kit. As well, of course as its electric folding hard top roof.
Also, previous Colt CZC non-turbo retains the same specification, including alloys and fog lamps, but also gets a 25% price cut to just £10,399 and is renamed as the Colt CZC2.
What to watch out for
Batteries not 'maintenance free'. Need topping up every 4 weeks.
Engine coolant reservoir bottle has a clip on top. This does not form an adequate seal and over the course of the year the level will drop. It's very important to check this level regularly to prevent it going down too much with potential overheating consequences. The level in the bottle is a bit difficult to check as it is a long square container which goes down to the bottom of the engine bay.
Report of transmission mounting braket failing on 4 year old resulting in destruction of transmission and driveshaft.
27-02-2017:Complaint that 30k mile 2007 Mitsubishi Colt CZC boot will not unlock with the use of the remote key fob, but only by physically inserting the key. Similarly, although owner can hear the mechanism “trying”, the roof will not open because the boot lid will not raise to accommodate the roof etc. Brayley Oxford had the car for a fortnight, during which time owner made phone calls to check progress, but failed to solve the problem at least in part because “the computer would not talk to the car”. At the end of this time they had obtained a “new module” but felt that the labour cost of further investigation, and the cost of the necessary parts, which could not be guaranteed to resolve the problem, could not be recommended for a car of this age even though the mileage is low. Bayley discounted the bill for the labour charges incurred in the investigations to date.
21-11-2017:Report of leaking boot. It's a sealing problem. With the roof half open so the seals are all exposed, go round looking for damage or decomposed sealing strips, clean all the seals carefully removing any stones or grit that have become caught up in them, then treat them all with silicon lubricant.
