Colt Cabriolet
I'm
a big fan of the baby Mitsu, so when it came to testing the drop top
version, I had my reservations. The CZC Turbo (also available
non-turbo) is the all new offering from Mitsubishi, it's probably the
most original looking of all the small CC class and being as it's a
Mitsubishi it has a sporting pedigree that means it has a lot to prove.
From its rear spoiler that doubles as a third brake-light to the
angular nose, its butcher than a bull dyke on the pull. Inside
everything retains that chunky sporty feel, it's well equipped complete
with half leather and sports seat that are superb, offering great
support whilst making the CZC the most comfortable of all the CC's.
Supposedly a four seater, but 3 is a push, unless you have a lot of
dwarfs in your social circle.
When it comes to the
driving experience, rarely do cars that look this good perform as they
promise, but the CZC Turbo is just full of surprises and won't
disappoint. It's the fastest in its class delivering 0-62 in 8.4
seconds and hitting a top speed
of 126mph, fuel consumption is not great but it's ok, returning 31.7mpg
around town. It's got a very firm ride but it's not back breaking and
if anything enhances the overall appeal of the car. It feels stable and
very safe and although when pushed will bitch slap you back to reality,
it's very controllable and you can throw it into corners and know that
it won't let you down. The CZC Turbo is that rarest of things, it's the
motoring version of a truthful Gaydar profile, it looks as hot in the
flesh as it does in the pictures, promises a great ride and a
performance that will leave you totally satisfied, it's well groomed
and you wouldn't be embarrassed to take it back to your parents… Well
at least we know that the car exists.
Sportback
Let's start with some positives, it looks great, from the front… in fact it looks stunning from the front, it's got a real muscle car image, looking beefy, masculine and exceptionally sporting. It's sexy from the side; flowing lines carry your eye from that huge front grille to the pinched and sloping rear. From the back…. well it looks sporty, especially with the massive overhanging rear spoiler on the roofline of the window.
In fact it's the styling of the car that is where my problem starts; it promises so very much and fails to deliver.
The 1.8L MIVEC engine is more than capable and performs well, but with
0-62mph taking 10.4secs its not quick by any stretch of the
imagination. Fuel economy is also a huge pitfall with the Sportback,
35mpg from a small engined hatchback is more an a little disappointing,
it's a total letdown. It also only has a 5sp gearbox, which wouldn't
be a problem if the engine wasn't massively noise at 70mph in 5th gear,
this car is crying out for mercy and a 6th gear! Not only would this
quieten the engine noise down on the motorway but also probably improve
fuel economy.
Handling
wise it's outstanding, I'll give Mitsubishi that, they certainly know
how to set up a cars handling to make it second to none.
This
really is my overall problem with the Sportback, it looks like a sporty
rally car, handles like one but the 1.8L is a noisy dismal letdown that
just spoils the whole thing. It's like hiring a rent boy with nine
inches then finding out he's impotent, all looks and no trousers isn't
going to make you hire him again and it's the same for the Sportback.
Standard spec for the entry level GS2 model I tested is good, you get electric windows, a good sound system including AUX port for plugging in the pod, cruise control and alloys. However the interior is drab and dull, nothing feels particularly well screwed together and in fact the plastic trim around the air con controls was loose and needed popping back on. The seats are sporty, firm and supportive, giving you a comfortable ride regardless of how long the journey is.
It's a mixed bag and I'm really not sure if this is good motor or not to be honest, it fails to deliver the performance the looks and the handling suggest it will have. It's got plenty of spec but the interiors dark and uninspiring. All I hope is that the 2.0L turbo version and the Sportback Ralliart (evolution version of the Sportback) 2.0L turbo GSR super hot hatch are better and deliver what they promise. The 1.8L MIVEC Sportback GS2 costs £14,149 OTR, go test it and see if you agree. Lancer Evolution