WHEN it comes to superminis drivers are no longer concerned about power and performance but how economical their car is going to bo.
Most manufacturers are fielding a low-emissions, planet-friendly option but one of the hottest on the case is Mitsubishi with its Colt Clear Tec.
This model is part of the new generation Colt range and drives in with some impressive statistics bearing in mind that it is still a fast and accelerative car.
ClearTec is a strategic evolution from Mitsubishi which will be rolled out across its entire range in time. It was launched with the Colt CZ2 which emits just 119g/km of CO2 and returns 56.5mpg combined consumption cycle.
The Colt Clear Tec is the green star of what is an already environmentally sound range. Based on the 1.3l CZ2 model Clear Tec features a number of key revisions, most important of which is a stop and go system which automatically stops the engine running when it would usually sit wasting fuel idling (at traffic lights for example).
When the clutch pedal is released and the gearshift is positioned in neutral the ClearTec's engine will switch off to save fuel and reduce emissions. To restart it all the driver needs to do is depress the clutch pedal and select a gear.
Other technologies that contribute to this car's green credentials include low rolling resistance tyres, a revised final gear ratio, enhanced electric charging that reclaims otherwise wasted energy when braking or decelerating, low viscosity engine oil, altered ignition timing and more. All of this gives this little petrol hatch the economy of a diesel.
And the latest Colt looks much smarter than the previous one sporting the latest Mitsubishi's signature 'jet fighter' grille.
This is no mere cosmetic tweak because only 35% of parts carry-over from outgoing model which was 70mm shorter. The increased length also helps to boost boot capacity with a new adjustable floor height.