A KEY part of Mitsubishi's rejuvenated model line-up, the all-new fifth-generation Colt, arrives in UK showrooms on September 1, 2004. Offering sharp styling, outstanding versatility and engaging driving dynamics, new Colt is set to bring something new and fresh into the ultra-competitive supermini market. With prices starting at £8,999, Mitsubishi Motors UK is confident that sales of New Colt will reach 3,000 in 2004, rising to 15,000 in 2005 when it is joined by its three-door sister model.

"2004 is a very exciting year for us. Following on from Outlander and Grandis, Colt will be the third all-new Mitsubishi model to be launched this year and will truly cement in people's minds the new spirit of the brand and the new face of Mitsubishi," states Jim Tyrrell, managing director, Mitsubishi Motors UK. Entering the most competitive of all the car segments in the UK, New Colt will prove a surprise package. Not only is Colt fun to drive, it also excels in its combination of interior flexibility and roominess. Sitting on an all-new front-wheel drive platform, Colt is 3870mm long, 1550mm high and 1695mm wide creating a wide and tall profile, with a long 2500mm wheelbase. Generous 1460mm front and 1445mm rear tracks maximise interior accommodation and offer class-leading cabin space.

As well as having the best total legroom in the segment, Colt's versatility comes from a novel rear-seating arrangement with 40/60 split rear seats which can be individually reclined, folded or removed altogether, creating 645 litres of load space. The backrests of the front passenger seat can also be folded forward to accommodate longer items resulting in a small car that can suit many purposes.

In showrooms mid-July and on sale September 1, New Colt will be priced at £8,999 for the entry-level 1.1 Classic rising to £12,499 for the top-spec 1.5 Elegance with six-speed Allshift automated manual transmission. A sport trim will also be available priced at £11,499 featuring 16-inch alloy wheels and contemporary red interior with matching red leather steering wheel and gear knob, sports pedals and rear roof spoiler. As with all Mitsubishi products, Colt models come generously equipped with driver and passenger front airbags, ABS antilock brakes and EBD electronic brakeforce distribution, Isofix seats, central locking, 15-inch alloy wheels, four speaker CD stereo system, colour-coded bumpers, alarm and immobiliser all as standard.

Four trim levels, Classic, Equippe, Elegance and Sport, will be available along with the choice of four engines - 75bhp three-cylinder 1.1-litre, 95bhp 1-3-litre and 109bhp 1.5-litre petrol plus a 95bhp 1.5-litre direct injection diesel unit. All engines meet stringent Euro IV emissions legislation. A five-speed manual is fitted as standard across the range with the option of AllShift - a novel six-speed AMT Automated Manual Transmission - available with all engines apart from the 1.1-litre petrol. From its conception, Colt has been engineered to be fun to drive. Riding on a MacPherson strut with anti-roll bar front and compact torsion beam rear suspension, Colt's ride and handling engineers have fine tuned this set-up to achieve the optimum balance between passenger ride comfort and driver dynamics.

In 2003, Mitsubishi UK's sales set yet another record at 32,282 vehicles, a 23% increase over the previous year. Sales in 2004, significantly bolstered by the arrival of the new Outlander crossover, Colt supermini, Grandis people carrier and new Lancer Evolution VIII range are expected to exceed 40,000 in 2004, a year-on-year increase of 24%. "Mitsubishi's raft of exciting new models and its thoroughly rationalised existing model line-up has resulted in a complete turnaround for the company in the UK. In 2003 we posted an all-time new vehicle sales record and our fourth consecutive year of growth. And we're confident sales for 2004 will build on that expansion," stated Lance Bradley, director of sales and marketing, Mitsubishi Motors UK.