Mitsubishi Colt 1.3-litre ClearTec – on sale now

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With the right marketing and sufficient product allocation, Mitsubishi’s dealers should be well placed to benefit from the scrappage scheme. 

Although the Colt ClearTec has risen in price by £300 to £10,099 since we first took delivery of our test car, customers qualifying for the £2,000 incentive can bag it for £8,099. 

Up-sell them a Mitsubishi service plan for £295 to cover their first three years’ servicing and they should still be extremely happy.
Its £35 VED cost and 56mpg efficiency should make it cheaper to run than their old banger. 

What’s more, its fixtures and fittings will be a step up from what they’ve been used to, even though the Colt is no leader in its segment in terms of interior comforts.

Its ‘stop and go’ technology isn’t the most advanced, which reflects the fact that the system was developed in under a year by Mitsubishi’s engineers in Japan. It activates when the car is stationary and the clutch is disengaged, then restarts the car when the clutch pedal is depressed. It is very noticeable and slightly intrusive, but effective nonetheless.

Contrast that with the Honda Insight’s smoother, less intrusive system, which switches off whenever it comes to a stop and instantly, and quietly, starts up again the moment the driver’s foot lifts from the brake pedal.

Nevertheless, the ClearTec does what it aims to do. It achieves CO2 emissions of 119g/km compared to the 143g/km of the standard Colt, and it’ll squeeze an extra eight miles out of every gallon on the combined cycle, according to official figures.

It’s also a highly practical urban runabout. There’s enough pockets and cubbyholes to satisfy any owner, and the rear seats fold flat quickly to allow for the occasional large load.