Mitsubishi Colt CZC
MITSUBISHI COLT CZC, DYNAMIC AND FUNCTIONAL
Two years after launching the 5-door Colt and a year after the introduction of the 3-door version, the sporty Colt CZC is the third variant of the European Colt family. Developed and produced by Pininfarina - in close cooperation with Mitsubishi Motors – this coupé-cabriolet made its debut at the last Geneva Motor Show.
The wraps have finally been taken off the new Mitsubishi Colt CZC, designed, engineered and produced in close cooperation with Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC).
«This project highlights the great confidence in Pininfarina of our longstanding partner, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. It is also important to stress our complete involvement in all the development phases of this vehicle, from definition of the styling to start-up of production at our Bairo plant» states Andrea Pininfarina. Based on the roomy Colt 3 and 5-doorcreated by Mitsubishi Design Europe, this new entry is a coupé-cabriolet featuring a new generation of retractable hard top that still offers the much-appreciated extra space typical of the 2+2 configuration.
Pininfarina followed up both the initial sketches and the three-dimensional development phases. «We cooperated – says Ken Okuyama, Design Director Pininfarina – very effectively with the Mitsubishi Design in seeking seamless integration and in obtaining a vehicle that is both attractive and functional, while at the same time introducing the new roof system».
«This project highlights the great confidence in Pininfarina of our longstanding partner, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. It is also important to stress our complete involvement in all the development phases of this vehicle, from definition of the styling to start-up of production at our Bairo plant» states Andrea Pininfarina. Based on the roomy Colt 3 and 5-doorcreated by Mitsubishi Design Europe, this new entry is a coupé-cabriolet featuring a new generation of retractable hard top that still offers the much-appreciated extra space typical of the 2+2 configuration.
Pininfarina followed up both the initial sketches and the three-dimensional development phases. «We cooperated – says Ken Okuyama, Design Director Pininfarina – very effectively with the Mitsubishi Design in seeking seamless integration and in obtaining a vehicle that is both attractive and functional, while at the same time introducing the new roof system».
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Pininfarina specifically developed a large swathe of components for the Colt CZC during the vehicle design phases. In particular, the roof system was first of all designed and then engineered and tested in the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel at Grugliasco in order to guarantee the highest standards of safety and functionality.
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Correct integration of the innovative twopart roof with the body of the vehicle has made it possible to produce a car elegant and full of character.
Naturally, the entire body has been reinforced and made even stronger in order to compensate for the absence of the roof, guaranteeing rigidity at the very top of the category and promoting very high standards of passive safety, handling and driving comfort.
Performance is also of benchmark class: in the 1.5 turbo 150 ps version, the Colt CZC is set to become the most powerful coupécabriolet in the B segment. A 109 ps 1.5 MPI aspired engine able to deliver excellent performance is also offered.
Naturally, the entire body has been reinforced and made even stronger in order to compensate for the absence of the roof, guaranteeing rigidity at the very top of the category and promoting very high standards of passive safety, handling and driving comfort.
Performance is also of benchmark class: in the 1.5 turbo 150 ps version, the Colt CZC is set to become the most powerful coupécabriolet in the B segment. A 109 ps 1.5 MPI aspired engine able to deliver excellent performance is also offered.
THE COLT CZC CONQUERS EUROPE
Resounding market success for the new coupe-cabriolet: more than 4,500 vehicles delivered by Pininfarina in the initial weeks from launch.
The Colt CZC encored the success scored at its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show also during its presentation to the various European markets on which it will play a leading role in the next few years.
This eye-catching coupe-cabriolet has already been presented in Germany, England and Italy – its main European markets – with great success in terms of orders. It will then be presented in Spain, France, Holland and Belgium, followed by Austria and Switzerland, thus completing the offer in Europe.
Considering the highly positive initial reactions, very interesting results can be expected, confirming the excellent qualities of the vehicle, a candidate for a leading position amongst small, new generation coupe-cabriolets. Available in three versions with 7 external colours and 4 combinations of trim and two brilliant engines, the Colt CZC has all it takes to meet the different requirements of the various markets, aiming to become a benchmark in its category. The large swathe of orders reaped – 4,500 vehicles have been delivered by Pininfarina to-date – has convinced Mitsubishi to assess the possibility of selling the Colt also outside Europe. Andrea Pininfarina – Pininfarina S.p.A. Chairman and CEO – commented:
“In view of our complete involvement in all phases of development of this car, from definition of styling to start-up of production at our Bairo plant, we are very pleased with the positive reactions of the market following the commercial launch of the Colt CZC. Considering the confidence shown in Pininfarina by such a major customer as Mitsubishi, it is very important to obtain the appreciation of the public”.
The Colt CZC is assembled at the Pininfarina Bairo facility where forefront industrial automatic systems have been introduced able to guarantee high production standards and complete
checking of all the vehicles manufactured.
The Colt CZC encored the success scored at its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show also during its presentation to the various European markets on which it will play a leading role in the next few years.
This eye-catching coupe-cabriolet has already been presented in Germany, England and Italy – its main European markets – with great success in terms of orders. It will then be presented in Spain, France, Holland and Belgium, followed by Austria and Switzerland, thus completing the offer in Europe.
Considering the highly positive initial reactions, very interesting results can be expected, confirming the excellent qualities of the vehicle, a candidate for a leading position amongst small, new generation coupe-cabriolets. Available in three versions with 7 external colours and 4 combinations of trim and two brilliant engines, the Colt CZC has all it takes to meet the different requirements of the various markets, aiming to become a benchmark in its category. The large swathe of orders reaped – 4,500 vehicles have been delivered by Pininfarina to-date – has convinced Mitsubishi to assess the possibility of selling the Colt also outside Europe. Andrea Pininfarina – Pininfarina S.p.A. Chairman and CEO – commented:
“In view of our complete involvement in all phases of development of this car, from definition of styling to start-up of production at our Bairo plant, we are very pleased with the positive reactions of the market following the commercial launch of the Colt CZC. Considering the confidence shown in Pininfarina by such a major customer as Mitsubishi, it is very important to obtain the appreciation of the public”.
The Colt CZC is assembled at the Pininfarina Bairo facility where forefront industrial automatic systems have been introduced able to guarantee high production standards and complete
checking of all the vehicles manufactured.
FROM THE PRESS
Revue Automobile (April 2006):
“The Coltreally twangs the heart strings. With all that horsepower under the bonnet, the Colt with its removable Stetson will shake the world of small convertibles from May onwards. Series production of the CZC has been entrusted to Pininfarina ”.
La Repubblica (April 8 2006):
“Mitsubishi-Pininfarina, what a duo, even the Colt has been “rediscovered and uncovered”. There it is, small, very elegant, placed low as usual just in front of the rear bumper. The Pininfarina badge enhances the new Mitsubishi Colt CZC and, in some ways, stirs the emotions: when you are about to get into a car with this badge, you are sure you have something really special in your hands. And on this Mitsubishi, this is evident as soon as you put the wheels on the route of the Monte Carlo Rally…”.
Auto Oggi (April 19 2006):
“The cabriolet version of the small Colt is ready for the Summer: it features a fold-away roof, a 150-bhp engine and the fascinating seal of Pininfarina”.
La Gaceta (March 28 2006):
“The design of the CZC stems from the work of the Pininfarina high-prestige Italian styling house which started from the five-door version of the Colt.”
Corriere della Sera Magazine (April 27 2006):
“Mitsubishi stands not only for all-terrain vehicles but also for the Colt. Which reappears, still compact but as a very modern, attractive coupecabriolet, badged CZC, with Pininfarina’s unmistakable signature.”
“The Coltreally twangs the heart strings. With all that horsepower under the bonnet, the Colt with its removable Stetson will shake the world of small convertibles from May onwards. Series production of the CZC has been entrusted to Pininfarina ”.
La Repubblica (April 8 2006):
“Mitsubishi-Pininfarina, what a duo, even the Colt has been “rediscovered and uncovered”. There it is, small, very elegant, placed low as usual just in front of the rear bumper. The Pininfarina badge enhances the new Mitsubishi Colt CZC and, in some ways, stirs the emotions: when you are about to get into a car with this badge, you are sure you have something really special in your hands. And on this Mitsubishi, this is evident as soon as you put the wheels on the route of the Monte Carlo Rally…”.
Auto Oggi (April 19 2006):
“The cabriolet version of the small Colt is ready for the Summer: it features a fold-away roof, a 150-bhp engine and the fascinating seal of Pininfarina”.
La Gaceta (March 28 2006):
“The design of the CZC stems from the work of the Pininfarina high-prestige Italian styling house which started from the five-door version of the Colt.”
Corriere della Sera Magazine (April 27 2006):
“Mitsubishi stands not only for all-terrain vehicles but also for the Colt. Which reappears, still compact but as a very modern, attractive coupecabriolet, badged CZC, with Pininfarina’s unmistakable signature.”
THREE QUESTIONS FOR … TIM TOZER
FROM PAJERO* PININ TO THE COLT CZC, THE FIRST TEN YEARS WITH MITSUBISHI
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