Not a crossover! Mitsubishi Colt returns in 2023 as a hybrid hatchback based on Renault Clio

Perhaps learning from the controversy of the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Mitsubishi Motors has announced that it has revived another highly coveted name for one of its models but it won’t be yet another crossover. Fans can certainly breathe a sigh of relief to know that the 2023 Mitsubishi Colt will remain as a hatchback but with a modern twist.

Mitsubishi isn’t horsing around as it has revealed a teaser image of the hatchback which will be based on the Renault Clio’s CMF-B platform. The revived Colt will be the second Mitsubishi model from a new collaboration between the Three Diamonds and Renault.

The first will be the next-generation Mitsubishi ASX which is based on the Renault Captur and will be built in Valladolid, Spain alongside its French twin. The next-gen ASX is also set to debut in 2023, finally putting the current 12-year-old generation out to pasture.

Also read: Mitsubishi ASX discontinued in Malaysia; Eclipse Cross not coming

The Colt will be built alongside the Clio in Renault’s plant in Bursa, Turkey but despite the revival, this new generation Colt is unlikely to be powered by a turbocharged petrol engine like its Jazz-like predecessor.

Based on the teaser image, you can see a badge with the letters “EV” on the front door. It’s likely that the reborn Colt could be offered with a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain or even as a fully electric hatchback.

For the electrified powertrain, the Colt’s donor car, the Clio comes with an electrified variant, E-Tech which is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine (145 PS) that is combined with a pair of synchronous electric motors. This is then mated to a multi-mode clutchless transmission.

Mitsubishi completely reverses its decision made back in 2020 when it announced that it would be exiting the European market. The revived Colt and the next-gen ASX might be rebadged Renaults underneath which wouldn’t excite most fans longing for the good ol’ days when the Three Diamonds built some of the hottest models that would play centre stage in video games and adorned across bedroom wall posters.

Also read: Why we shouldn't mourn the death of the Mitsubishi Pajero?

However, if this is a slow sign that Mitsubishi is slowly trying to regain itself back, then maybe we should only leave all cynicism aside and see how the Three Diamonds would succeed under this plan.

Also read: Renault, Nissan & Mitsubishi Motors announce a common roadmap that’s been a long time coming