Motoring editor Malcolm Baylis test drives the new Mitsubishi Colt.

MITSUBISHI'S new line-up of Colt superminis, the first new look for nine years, goes on sale in September.

It will face tremendous competition from all the major players, but it could prove the winner because of one major feature...its translucent parts.

At first glance they're a yukkie sight. There's a sort of tower, shaped like the spine of a book, leading from the gear lever to the centre console and on upwards to the dashboard, with audio and climate control dials and the gearstick gaiter all in the same anaemic blue-green translucent material. Apparently, the stuff is used on concept cars, and has never before been used on a production car.

But if the new Colt does outrun the competition, what's the betting it will be because people just love the translucent colour scheme, which at night is back-lit to create a soothing atmosphere.

Unfortunately, I can't vouch for this, because the car was tested during daylight, but Mitsubishi is confident that it does work.

Mitsubishi needed to build something different, something to catch the eye, with its first supermini for so many years - and with translucent parts or not, they have got to be on to a winner.

Granted, the latest Colt will never overtake the likes of the Ford or Vauxhall superminis but others, such as those built by Nissan, Honda, Renault, Peugeot and Toyota, could lose more than just a few sales to the newcomer.

More than 3,000 are expected to be sold by the end of this year, with sales approaching 15,000 next year when the three-door version also joins the range.

From launch there will be 10 or so models available, linked by four specification levels, and three petrol engines and a diesel.

Prices start at a pound coin short of £9,000 for the entry-level Classic 1.1-litre petrol to £12,499 for the Elegance 1.5-litre six-speed Allshift petrol, with the 1.5-litre five-speed turbodiesel at £11,499 and the six-speed diesel £11,999.

The new car is a radical departure from the Colt model it replaces. For starters, it is the first all-new five-door supermini by Mitsubishi for the European market, and it sits on a platform shared with Mercedes-Benz, in particular the same as used for the smart forfour, and is the first full product of the Mitsubishi Motors/DaimlerChrysler shared platform strategy.

It is not the prettiest of cars to look at. It has a rather raked and snubby nose, is quite wide and tall, but it's a winner for space.

The long wheelbase means there are acres of room for those taking a ride, and this counts most for those in the back where the leggiest should have no real difficulty in stretching out a bit.

Ride experience is pleasant, too, helped along by the finely-tuned suspension which has been set up to provide overall ride comfort with good driving dynamics.

The three petrol engines, a three-cylinder 1.1-litre producing 74bhp, a 1.3-litre producing 94bhp and a 1.5-litre producing 107bhp, plus a 1.5-litre 94bhp diesel, are all quite versatile, although the peppy three-cylinder (like all of them throughout the industry) is a bit noisy and takes a bit of getting used to. Nonetheless, for economy it chalks up nearly 50mpg on the combined cycle and has an emission rating of 135g/km, so overall is an excellent runner. It uses a five-speed gearbox.

The mid-level four cylinder 1.3-litre returns 47.1mpg combined and has an emission level of 143g/km.

This engine is matched to either the five-speed gearbox, or can be fitted with the six-speed Allshift automatic that boosts the economy figure to 48.7mpg and emission to 138g/km.

The flagship 1.5-litre petrol returns 45.6mpg combined, and has an emission rating of 148g/km, matched to a five-speed manual transmission. With an automatic box fuel economy comes in at 44.8mpg and the emission figure is 149g/km.

Diesel power is through the economical and clean common rail 1.5-litre turbo built for Mitsubishi by DaimlerChrysler. The 12v engine develops 94bhp and combined fuel economy is 58.9mpg and the emission level is 126g/km.

The rear seating is flexible, too, with a 60/40 split so that the seats individually slide, recline, fold, tumble or can be taken out all together.

Front seat backrests also fold flat to increase load carrying length if needed. The boot has a light and power point.

Finally, in addition to its translucent fittings, the new Colt has also been given "technical graining".

That is instead of trying to reproduce natural hide fascia coatings, Mitsubishi designers have come up with a new kind of graining, fit for the artificial material used in cars. At least that seems to work well.

Mitsubishi cars are available from York Mitsubishi, Great North Way, York Business Park, Nether Poppleton,York. Tel 01904 600600

For: Nice and roomy for all, especially any leggy ones in the back

Against: Not sure about the translucent bits

At a glance:

Dimensions: Length 3870mm, height 1550mm, width 1695mm, wheelbase 2500mm.

Boot space: 311 litres behind the seats, 641 litres with seats down.

Wheels: Alloy.

Brakes: Ventilated front discs and rear drum, apart from the flagship which is given discs all round.

Safety: Twin front airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution.

Updated: 12:02 Friday, August 06, 2004