Review: Mitsubishi RG Colt Ralliart (2006-10)

Overview

Released in Australia in July 2006, the Mitsubishi RG Colt Ralliart was a light, five-door hatchback. Manufactured in Okazaki, Japan, the front-wheel drive RG Colt Ralliart was powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that was mated to a five-speed manual transmission.

4G15 engine

The Colt Ralliart was powered by Mitsubishi’s 1468 cc 4G15 engine which had a cast iron block with 75.5 mm bores and an 82.0 mm stroke, multi-point injection, a TD03 turbocharger, intercooler, an alloy cylinder head, hollow double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing (MIVEC or ‘Mitsubishi Innovative Valve Lift and Timing Electronic Control’), electronic throttle control and a compression ratio of 10.0:1.

The 4G15 engine had a 6500 rpm redline and 6700 rpm fuel cut-out; it is understood that peak boost pressure was around 0.9 bar (13 psi). Compared to the standard Colt, the Colt Ralliart had unique exhaust system with larger exhaust pipes for a 27 per cent reduction in back pressure.

The Colt Ralliart required premium unleaded petrol; over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption was 6.7 litres per 100 km.

Getrag transmission

The Colt Ralliart had a five-speed Getrag manual transmission, while the clutch was produced by ZF-Sachs. The transmission used synthetic oil and was rated as ‘fill-for-life’ (i.e. should not need to be changed before 200,000 kms). Transmissions ratios were as follows: 3.308 (1st), 1.913 (2nd), 1.219 (3rd), 0.846 (4th) and 0.651 (5th); the final drive ratio was 3.737.

Dimensions and body

Compared to the standard RG Colt, the Colt Ralliart was 55 mm longer (at 3925 mm) and 15 mm wider (1695 mm), though height (1550 mm) and wheelbase length (2500 mm) were unchanged.

The body of the Colt Ralliart, however, achieved a 30 per cent increase in torsional rigidity due to the following measures:

• 50 per cent more spot welds;
• Thicker front side members, deck and A-pillar joints, rear side members and side structure outer plates;
• A front strut brace between the suspension towers;
• A reinforced D-pillar;
• Additional tandem suspension cross bracing of the front suspension cross-member;
• ‘Triangle rod’ bracing added between the rear floor cross-member and the rear suspension spring;
• A damper gusset was added to the rear suspension shock absorber point to strengthen the suspension; and
• A thicker top cowl top.

As a result, the Colt Ralliart had a kerb mass of 1130 kg, 60 kg heavier than the standard Colt.

Suspension

The Colt Ralliart had MacPherson strut front suspension and H-shaped torsion beam rear suspension. Compared to the standard Colt, changes for the Colt Ralliart included:

• Revised spring and damper rates (front and rear);
• Urethane bump stops (front and rear);
• More rigid G-point bushes (front and rear);
• More rigid front lower arms and rear torsion beam;
• Rebound springs added to the front struts; and,
• 27 mm diameter front stabiliser bar (compared to 26 mm for the standard RG Colt).

Steering

The Colt Ralliart had power-assisted rack and pinion steering with a quicker gear ratio than the standard Colt. Furthermore, the Colt Ralliart had a turning circle of 10.8 metres.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Colt Ralliart included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Colt Ralliart had 280 mm by 26 mm vented front disc brakes and 250 mm by 10 mm solid discs. Other changes for the Colt Ralliart’s braking system included high-friction front pads and larger rear brake cylinders.

Features: Colt Ralliart

Initially, standard features for the Colt Ralliart included seven-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels with 16 x 6.5J 205/45 R16 83W tyres, a four speaker sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD stacker and MP3/WMA compatibility, Recaro front seats (as per the Lancer Evolution VIII MR), climate control air conditioning, 50:50 split and folding rear bench, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, remote central locking, power windows, power mirrors with folding function, a tilt adjustable steering column, privacy glass, white-faced instruments, Evo IX alloy sports pedals, front vanity mirrors and an immobiliser.

The Colt Ralliart had a space-saver spare wheel.

2008 changes

In mid-2008, standard features for the Colt Ralliart were revised as twelve-spoke alloy wheels were introduced and the Recaro seats were replaced by contoured sports seats; as a result, the recommended retail price was reduced.

Paint colours

The Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart was available in the following paint finishes:

• White;
• White pearl (pearlescent);
• Cool Silver (metallic);
• Gunmetal (pearlescent);
• Red (metallic); and,
• Black (pearlescent).

Brochure

• Brochure: Mitsubishi RG Colt Ralliart (February 2009)

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Mitsubishi Colt (2002-12)