8:14 am, January 19, 2009
MITSUBISHI dealers have an intriguing new opportunity for green buyers, with the Colt ClearTec supermini.
The £9299 motor is the only sub-120g/km CO2 petrol supermini – as it incorporates advanced stop and start technology.
This means the engine automatically turns off and restarts at traffic lights, like on an advanced hybrid car, but at far less cost.
Otherwise, the engine is as the standard 1.3-litre variant. This has enabled Mitsubishi to keep the price premium down to £500 over a regular version for the new green edition.
The key selling point is road tax of £35 per year. Dealers are, however, expected to emphasise other advanced features, such as an alternator that recharges the battery when braking. There are also low rolling resistance tyres.
Based on the CZ2 model, the surprising new green Mitsubishi will be welcome relief to dealers. It will prove their environmental credentials, alongside Shogun 4x4s and high-performance Lancer Evo saloons.
Deliveries start in February, well timed to benefit from the recent facelift of the Colt range.
