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The Mitsubishi Colt was originally produced in 1962 as a post-war passenger car. At this point Mitsubishi did not exist as an autonomous company, so when the Colt was exported to the UK in 1974 it was sold by the Colt Company.
From 1978 the Colt went through a big change in design in order to be more fuel-efficient; it was a small, light, three-door hatchback. From 1979 a model with four doors was made available, as was a choice in engine size - either a 1600cc or a turbocharged 1400cc. The third-generation Colt was unveiled in 1983 and remained very similar in design to the previous generation, although engines were improved and diesel varieties were available. In 1984 the Colt Company name began to be gradually phased out in the UK, in favour of Mitsubishi.
In 1991 Mitsubishi Colt cars became more rounded, stylish and sporty in design. To match this they had an ever-increasing range of engines available, including a V6 1600cc engine to complement the new sporty style. From 1997 Proton took over the design of the Colt and began producing it under its name -and some used Mitsubishi Colts with the Proton name can still be found.
The next generation of Colt was launched in 1995, with a fresher, more modern design and was produced until 2003 with only a few slight changes. Used Mitsubishi Colts from this period can be found with 1.3L or 1.6L engines, and either as two-door coupes, three-door hatchbacks or four-door saloons. The style of the Colt has gradually evolved so that nearly new Mitsubishi Colts are rounder and taller than older models.
The Mitsubishi Colt is an important car because it saw the integration of the Mitsubishi name into the UK. Mitsubishi is one of the biggest and most popular car manufacturers in the world today, and it was the production of the Colt after the war that helped Mitsubishi Motors grow and expand out of Japan.