Mitsubishi has announced that it will unveil a new subcompact hatchback, the Colt, on June 8, which will essentially be a rebadged Renault Clio with minor exterior changes and a shared electrified setup. The announcement comes a year after Mitsubishi initially previewed the reborn Colt and confirmed it would go on sale in Europe in 2023. The latest teaser image released by the Japanese automaker shows a section of the supermini's rear, which bears a striking resemblance to the Clio.
While the initial teaser revealed that there would be some slight changes to the Clio's exterior design, particularly at the front, nothing significant is expected. This move is similar to what Mitsubishi did with its new ASX, which is essentially a Renault Captur with a different badge and some subtle changes.
The Colt is set to borrow the electrified setup from the Clio E-Tech Hybrid, as evidenced by the "Hybrid EV" badge on one of the doors in the initial teaser. This electrified powertrain is likely to be a key selling point for the new supermini, given the growing demand for electric and hybrid cars.
The new Colt and the Renault Clio will not face competition from Ford's Fiesta, as the Blue Oval is discontinuing its small hatch. Volkswagen has also hinted that it might axe the Polo once Euro 7 emissions regulations come into effect, which could have repercussions on the mechanically related Skoda Fabia and SEAT Ibiza. Audi has already announced that it will not renew the A1 for a third generation.
Mitsubishi will build the new Colt in Turkey, where the fifth-generation Renault Clio is also assembled.
Source: Mitsubishi
