This is it. It’s a turbocharged, 4G powered, Ralliart tuned Mitsubishi equipped with MIVEC. Clearly it’s an Evo IX!
Oh, it’s a Colt. Huh.
But hold on, it’s not just any Colt. With 161hp belting out of its 1.5 liter engine, the Colt Ralliart might not be an Evo but by no means is it meant to be taken for granted. In stock form a Colt Ralliart is a fairly formidable weapon, so when you take one of these little turbo nuggets and introduce a few choice modifications to the mix the end result is a pocket rocket who could keep its bigger brother on his toes in the twisties.
From a visual standpoint, one can’t help but take at least a second look at this little hot hatch. On top of the Colt’s already peculiar styling and sporty add-ons such as the wheel arch extensions this Colt comes with a few more goodies to draw the eyes in. Behind the grill of the Ralliart’s already sporty bumper, an aftermarket front mounted intercooler finished in gold peaks out at world ahead, but by no means is this just for show.
This particular example of a Colt Ralliart has quite enough to go back up its looks. A free flowing exhaust ensures the air exiting can do so as easily as possible, while that aforementioned intercooler keeps the air coming in nice and dense to facilitate the increased boost pressure that that this one is running. Along with an applicable tune, all this sees a healthy increase in output which is handled nicely by the OEM clutch system. Yes, clutch system. CLUTCH. It’s a manual Colt!
So what about that thing that comes after a corner? As it is from factory a Colt is plenty capable of chewing up corners and spitting them out much to the dismay of bystanders who think that’s a disgusting action and a waste of food, but when you throw on some RSR lowering springs and larger wheels which allow more rubber to meet the road that changes things up a bit. This Colt clings onto the tarmac for dear life, often times leaving the inner rear wheel to dangle in the air, confused as to where the road has gone.
The Colt Ralliart, and particularly this Colt Ralliart is a serious weapon. Maybe a little too serious. It’s in the playground with the other mini hot hatches, or lukewarm hatches as I call them, but instead of playing games this seam welded little rocket is going for the kill. It knows it’s going to be compared to its big brother so it comes out with straight A’s and a 4.0 GPA. This makes it a hell of a beginner car for the track day specialist or hard-core enthusiast, but a bit much for the more casual guy.
The Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version R, when you told your wife you’re just buying a hatchback but you need to teach that jerk with the GT86 some manners.
Q&A
Was the Colt your go to option, or was it a case of something you just happened upon?
The Colt was actually me saying I need to be more mature and downgrading from the Evo. So something a little less speedy, less costly with maintenance and a little more fuel efficient. That was the main idea of the Colt, to grow out of the phase, but it’s not a phase it’s a lifestyle.
You had an Evo before then?
The red Evo 7, that was mine before I sold it to Shane and he made it look like something. I brought it down in 2013 I believe, and I kept it for about 2 years.
What are some of the vehicles that you’ve owned?
My first vehicle was a 1998 BZR Levin, that was in 2008 long after the fame of Levins had died off. When I was looking for my first vehicle I was looking at an Integra or a Levin. After the Levin I got something more mature, an Almera. About a year into owning the Almera I literally got up at about 2 AM, got my contact for SBT Japan and just went on the auctions and saw an Evo. I decided you know what, I’m getting that Evo. After about 2 years, from family and the wife saying you need to cut down on this speed thing I said you know what, I’ll get a small hatchback. I always loved the look of the Colt and the small turbocharged engine. To me it was like a successor to the Starlet.
So it was a rare vehicle at the time that you got it?
There were 3 on island at the time so yeah, it was rare.
What are some of the modifications that you’ve done to the vehicle.
In my quest for speed the main modifications I will speak of that were done are a custom made TDM Engineering front mount intercooler kit, Turbosmart dual port BOV and RSR Ti2000 springs. I had a Walbro (fuel pump) in there but took it out, along with 565cc injectors that have also been removed. The only thing that makes that Colt stand out is that I figured it’s the only one that stuff has been done to. I got in contact with some guys in Australia, at the time nothing was being done on JDM Colts so mine was one of the first that had it’s ECU unlocked with the ROM from the Australian version to tune it.
How would you describe your experience owning the Colt? Some will say they’re toys – not too serious – while others find them to be real track machines.
Well moving from a heavy AWD vehicle to a light FWD the turn-in is sharper, you feel it’s lighter. You can toss it around a corner, you can brake later and acceleration out of a corner is also pretty good besides some wheel spin and torque steer. I’ve always said the Colt is like one of the best options for a first-time car for enthusiasts. They cost about the same as a Swift Sport but with the Colt you get more power and the ability to tune more easily.
It’s very nimble in the corners, especially compared to other cars like my Skyline which feels like a whale. That’s why I got the springs, anything to get rid of any body roll to the point where right now you can get three wheeled action through some corners. I’d say on the road, this keeps up with the Skyline no problem.
If you were to keep this vehicle for longer, seeing as you’re selling it, what would be your future plans?
I would keep it as is. From my experience, the advice I give any on-island Colt owner right now is keep it simple. Don’t be in the pursuit of big power because it gets expensive quickly. For example a proper Full Race manifold for an Evo is cheaper than a basic no name manifold for the Colt.
Have you ever driven a CVT Colt? And how do they compare?
I have for a very short period. The CVT Colt feels so neutered compared to the manuals. I’ve noticed the boost is lower by default. The way a CVT power comes on, it builds the speed but it isn’t fun. With a small hatch back you want a manual, especially as they are the same price.
For these little hatchbacks, would you say it’s more about the experience than the speed?
The thing with these hatchbacks is you’re going 120 km/h, but it feels like you’re doing 170 km/h, especially with the turning. It just darts, it feels so light you can feel it bouncing around. The sensation of speed is really there. It’s like how auto journalists talk about the GT86 and Miata; you’re on the limit but under the speed limit. They aren’t speed kings, but they give you so much driving sensation at low enough speeds that you’re not too much over the limit to get yourself into problems.
Do you have any regrets owning this car?
It’s a good experience over all, my regret was my lust for power. Because that’s when I got schooled very quickly as to how expensive things are for this car. I’m thinking this is a small economy car, why is this stuff at GTR pricing. One of the limited coilover options for this car is from MCA, which is at the same price of set of R35 GTR coilovers.
What would you suggest to someone who wants to buy a Colt?
If we’re talking first time, I’d give it a 10/10. This is to me one of the most fun cars a first time enthusiast can get. If your budget isn’t there on the Subaru or Evo side and you want something sporty, then yes. For anybody who has experienced real power, you will immediately be let down. So you need to go into this with thinking I’m getting something economical, this will be my daily I’m not going to do anything to it. First time driver, 10/10. For someone coming from a sports car like me, you still get some fun so I’d say 6/10.
What got you into the car scene?
I think for most enthusiasts like myself it started from young. For myself in secondary school when we first got hold of stuff from Best Motoring and Hot Version, that was it. Just seeing the pictures, seeing those videos and a lot of the stuff wasn’t translated so we had no idea what was going on but who cares, it’s a Supra. It started from young and it’s just spiraled into a lifestyle where you can be like me and lie to yourself, say you’re mature now and you’re getting out of this, but it always comes back. It won’t leave you unless something drastic happens in your life.
