Mitsubishi bringing the Colt back from the dead with a shock of electricity

Mitsubishi is reviving the Colt nameplate a decade after it left the face of the earth. The Japanese manufacturer released the first teaser look at the new Colt supermini overnight.

The Colt is making its surprise return to the Mitsubishi fleet as part of the brand’s celebration of 60 years since the launch of the Colt 600.

The Colt moniker also has some significance back home. It was the 1.6-litre Colt Galant that introduced New Zealand to the Mitsubishi name.

Mitsubishi discontinued the Colt name globally in 2013, with its most recent models being small hatchbacks.

The next-generation Colt will be much different. The new car will ride the “CMF-B platform,” which is a fancy way of saying it will look pretty darn close to Renault Clio.

Mitsubishi hasn’t said anything about the powertrain, but the teaser image does have a “Hybrid EV” badge on the side. So, we can easily guess this car will have some form of electric motor.

In fact, the best guess is the supermini will have the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor setup found in the Clio E-Tech Hybrid.

It also looks like a Clio, shape-wise at least. Besides the badge, the big difference we can identify is the headlights’ look.

Mitsubishi says the hybrid Colt will build its market presence in European countries, where they say the car is most profitable.