Mitsubishi’s Colt hasn’t enjoyed any recent facelifts or upgrades, never mind new-model introductions, but its 13-model line-up has quietly accumulated sales to the extent that, at the time of writing, it accounted for just under one in five pick-ups sold.
Notably, most of the Colt
purchases have been individual, not fleet, ones. Customer feedback and requirements have resulted in a repositioning of the marque, with the focus shifting to accommodating a wider buying audience. As parent company DaimlerChrysler put it, the intention is to provide a Colt tailor-made for every customer requirement.
The vehicle featured here is presumably intended to capitalise on the fact that the flagship Colt Rodeo 4×4 double-cab was the hottest seller in its category. So, the Rodeo 2400i caters to those who like the flagship three-litre V6 model’s looks, but don’t need – or can’t afford! – its performance.
Although the 2400i lacks the all-out off-roading prowess, it has most of the other bells and whistles you would expect of the top-liner. In keeping with market dictates, it is adorned with alloy wheels, decals, styled roll hoop, front nudge bar and single step rear bumper. It’s not flashy; the chrome accents – for example, in the grille – will not come across to most as overdone.
The double-walled loadbox is topped by the usual reinforced rail, with exterior loops sturdy enough to double as lashing points for loads and the tonneau cover’s elastic lace-up. Additional lashing eyes are located on the inside of the loadbox. Other practical touches include mudflaps and tinted windows.
Interior features are fairly comprehensive. The standard-fit air-conditioning is efficient enough for this class of vehicle, and the Becker radio/ cassette unit (many do seem to be moving towards CD set-ups) does the job. Electric windows are
fitted all round, with one-touch up and
down for the driver’s. Convenience fitments include remote fuel flap opener, sliding rear window, and dual cup-holders that pull out of facia, which also houses a digital clock. Individual reading lights in front supplement the main central interior light.
Cabin stowage spaces include a lockable glovebox, centre console lidded bin, front door pockets, and various slots and hollows in the facia and centre console.
Among the security and safety features are remote central locking with alarm immobiliser, side impact beams in the doors, and a load sensing proportioning valve to prevent rear wheels locking during hard braking.
The steering column tilt adjusts, though not over a vast range. Controls operate positively and consistently, with one exception – the floppy handbrake lever. At least it’s a car-type lever situated between the front seats, not the umbrella-handle kind stuck under the facia near the driver’s left knee.
Accommodation is acceptable in most respects, though the driver’s footwell may be cramped around the clutch pedal for Cats and similar beefy footwear, and there is no left footrest. Front occupants have significantly more headroom than those at the back. Rear legroom is a little tight, but toe room is good; to make up for having to adopt a more upright position, the rear passengers have adjustable head restraints, just like those in front. Front seats are individual ‘sports-style’ items, with a modest amount of side support and squabs on the firm side of comfortable. The dark grey cloth upholstery looks serviceable.
Until recently, Colt’s fuel-injected 2,4-litre four-cylinder could claim to have the highest specific power output – just – in the 2,2 to 2,7-litre class, measured in kW per litre. This 16-valve unit now occupies second place, and is not as torquey, for a given capacity, as some competitors either.
Against the stopwatch, the Colt produces a workmanlike display. From standstill to 100 km/h, we clocked a best of 14,19 seconds, and reached the kilometre in just over 36 seconds.
Of more real-world relevance, in-gear acceleration is relatively steady between 40 and 120 km/h. Here, the shortish final drive ratio, identical to that of 4×4 versions, should assist. However, even at the two-way averaged top speed of 165 km/h, which is geared to occur around peak power point, the general vehicle stability and lack of engine thrashiness indicate that sustained high-speed running will be a relatively painless affair.
Gearshifts are smooth and nicely weighted, with the exception of a noisy and hard to engage reverse that, in all probability, simply needs some adjustment.
Economy seems acceptable, the steady-speed consumption at 100 km/h calculating out to a fuel index of 14,41 litres/100 km. As this figure is an indication of average driving in overall use, we would expect conservative drivers to better it comfortably. A tank range in the region of
700 km would seem to be not out of the question.
Incidentally, with a GVM of 2 670 kg and a tare mass of 1 595 producing a difference of 1 075 for overall payload, in theory a full tank and five medium-sized occupants will leave a useful margin of 600 kg for filling up the loadbox.
Very good comfort is a hallmark of this Colt’s ride, even unladen. We would rank it among among the better-riding examples of this type of vehicle, which often tends to be a lot bouncier than 4x4s because of lower unsprung weight. Similarly, handling and roadholding are highly rated, given the low cornering limits imposed by the overall mass and high roll centre. Roll is, in fact, well controlled in hard cornering, and steering – although light – allows precise manoeuvring.
The obvious popularity of high-riding 4x2s indicates that it has filled a niche for those who willing to make do with increased ground clearance and a rear diff lock. In many instances this may be quite sufficient; off-road, with the same 215 mm underbody clearance as its 4×4 stablemates, and equipped with a rear diff lock engaged by a switch, this 4×2 is capable of a high degree of mobility on suitable surfaces.
Front suspension is the fairly common double wishbone set-up; but the 2400i Rodeo differs from its low-riding stablemates in having torsion bar springing, instead of coil springs. At the rear, the conventional solid beam axle and semi-elliptical leaf spring arrangement is used.
