| Dodge Colt | |
|---|---|
 1989-1992 Dodge Colt | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mitsubishi Motors |
| Also called | Plymouth Champ Plymouth Colt Eagle Summit Plymouth Cricket |
| Model years | 1971–1994 (US) 1971–1995 (Canada) |
| Assembly | Japan:Kurashiki, Okayama Thailand:Laem Chabang (MMTh) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact (1971–1981) Subcompact (1979–1995) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Dodge/Plymouth Neon Eagle Summit (For sedan, U.S. only) |
TheDodge Colt is asubcompact car manufactured byMitsubishi Motors and marketed byDodge for model years 1971 to 1994 as acaptive import.Rebadged variants included thePlymouth Champ andPlymouth Colt, both were marketed byPlymouth.
The Colt was initially a rebadged variant of the rear-wheel driveGalant andLancer families before shifting to the smaller front-wheel driveMitsubishi Mirage subcompacts in 1979.
| First generation | |
|---|---|
 1973 Dodge Colt HT Coupe | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Colt Galant Mitsubishi Galant Plymouth Cricket (CDN) |
| Production | 1971–1973 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupe 2-doorhardtop (pillarless coupe) 4-doorsedan 5-doorstation wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L4G32I4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm (95.3 in) |
Introduced in 1970 as a 1971 model, the first generation Dodge Colt was a federalized first-generationMitsubishi Colt Galant. Available as a 2-door pillared coupe, 2-door hardtop coupe, 4-door sedan, and 5-door wagon, the Colt had a 1,597 cc (97.5 cu in) 4-cylinder engine. The unibody layout was traditional, front engine and rear-wheel drive withMacPherson struts in front and a live rear axle. Standard transmission was a 4-speed manual, with a 3-speed automatic being an option. The engine was initially rated for 100 hp (75 kW), but dropped to 83 hp (62 kW) in 1972 when manufacturers revised the method of measuring horsepower from gross to SAE net. For 1973, a GT hardtop coupe model was added featuring rally stripes, sport wheels, and a center console amongst other features.[1] The Dodge Colt was Chrysler's response to theAMC Gremlin,Ford Pinto, andChevrolet Vega.[2] As acaptive import fromMitsubishi, the Colt also competed directly with other Japanese imports, such as theToyota Corolla,Honda Civic andDatsun 1200.[3]
| Second generation | |
|---|---|
 1976 Dodge Colt Carousel 2-Door Hardtop | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Galant Chrysler Galant/Valiant Galant (AUS) Plymouth Colt (CDN) Plymouth Cricket (CDN) |
| Production | 1974–1977 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,420 mm (95.3 in) |
Based on theplatform of the first generation model, the Galant sedans and coupes received a new, somewhat rounder body in 1973, while wagons continued with the old body with a facelifted front end. The new version, with single headlights rather than the doubles of the previous generation, became the 1974 Dodge Colt in the US, available in the same bodystyles as the first one. The base engine also remained the same, but a largerG52B "Astron" engine became optionally available, originally only in combination with the automatic transmission. Later, the 2-liter engine became available with a manual transmission as well and was made standard fitment in the GT coupe. The 2-liter engine developed 96 hp (72 kW) at 5500 rpm, with the California version making two fewer horsepower.[4] Ratings varied from 79–83 hp (59–62 kW) for the smaller one and 89–96 hp (66–72 kW) for the larger engine in different publications and across the years.[5][6]
A four-speed manual or three-speed automatic remained available, although the original Borg-Warner automatic transmission was replaced by Chrysler's own Torqueflite unit in the 2-liter version.[4] The Torqueflite later supplanted the old Borg-Warner unit entirely. For 1977 a five-speed manual became available (standard in the GT and Carousel coupes). The Carousel, introduced in 1975 along with larger bumpers, was more luxurious and carried special blue and white paint. For 1977, the"Silent Shaft" version of the smaller engine became available and was fitted as standard equipment in GT and Carousels. The introduction of the new Dodge Colt "Mileage Maker" meant there was a mix of second and third generation models in 1977. The second-generation 2-door hardtops and wagons continued to be offered alongside the new 2- and 4-door "Mileage Makers". The wagon was also available with an "Estate" package that included woodgrain applique on the body sides and adjustable reclining front seats.
This model was also sold as the Dodge Colt 1600 GS in South Africa, only as a two-door hardtop coupé.[7]
In Canada, the second-generation Dodge Colt was rebadged as thePlymouth Cricket for the 1974 and 1975 model years — not to be confused with the rebadgedHillman Avenger, marketed in the United States for model years 1971-1973 without success. All Canadian Crickets for model years 1974-1975 wore the grille from the 1974-1977 Dodge Colt station wagons.[citation needed] All Colt body styles were shared with the Cricket, with the Cricket equivalent of the Colt GT marketed as the Cricket Formula S. These second-generation, Canada-only Crickets were rebadged as Plymouth Colts for 1976.
| Third generation "Mileage Maker" | |
|---|---|
 1977-1978 Dodge Colt | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Lancer Plymouth Colt |
| Production | 1977–1979 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupe 4-doorsedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.6 L4G32I4 |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,340 mm (92.1 in) |
The third-generation Dodge Colt effectively comprised two lines: coupes and sedans were of a smaller, Lancer-based series, and the station wagons were based on the newMitsubishi Galant Sigma. In late 1976, for the 1977 model year, the smaller A70-seriesMitsubishi Lancer became the Dodge Colt available in two-door coupe and four-door sedan body designs. While the wheelbase was slightly shorter than that of the second generation Colt, overall length was down from 171.1 to 162.6 in (4,346 to 4,130 mm). The new Colt was also referred to as the Dodge Colt "Mileage Maker" to differentiate it from its larger predecessor. Second generation coupe and wagon versions remained on sale for the 1977 model year.[5]
The engine was the4G32 iteration of Mitsubishi'sSaturn engine family 1597 cc rated at 83 hp (62 kW) at 5,500 rpm. A "Silent Shaft" (balance shaft) version of this engine along with a five-speed manual transmission (instead of the standard four-speed) were part of a "Freeway Cruise" package, which also included a maroon/white paintjob. For 1978 power dropped to 77 hp (57 kW) with the introduction of the "MCA-Jet" high-swirl system.[8] The second generation Colt sedans and coupes were replaced by the third generation for the 1980 model year.
| Third generation wagon | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Galant Sigma Chrysler Sigma Mitsubishi Sigma, Colt Sigma |
| Production | 1978–1981 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 5-doorstation wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Mitsubishi Galant Lambda Dodge Challenger |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,515 mm (99.0 in) |
For 1978 a new Dodge Colt Wagon appeared - unlike the sedans and coupes, this was not Lancer-based but was instead a rebadged version of the largerMitsubishi Galant Sigma. The 1.6-litreMCA-Jet four, as per the smaller sedans and coupes, was standard, with the 2.6-litre, 105 hp (78 kW)Astron engine optional along with a five-speed manual transmission.[9] While the last year for the Lancer-based Colts was 1979, the wagon was continued alongside the front-wheel drive Mirage-based fourth generation models until 1981 when it was effectively replaced by the domesticDodge Aries K wagon. The largerMitsubishi Galant Lambda coupé was also marketed as theDodge Colt Challenger from 1978, although the "Colt" part was later dropped. It shared the chassis as well as the engine options of the Colt wagon.[9]
| Fourth generation | |
|---|---|
 1979-1982 Plymouth Colt | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Mirage/Colt Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore Plymouth Colt Plymouth Champ |
| Production | 1979–1984 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-doorhatchback 5-doorhatchback |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.4 L4G12I4 1.6 L4G32 I4 1.6 L4G32Tturbo I4 |
In late 1978 for the 1979 model year, the Dodge Colt and Plymouth Champ were marketed as North American captive imports, as rebadged variants of thefront-wheel-driveMitsubishi Mirage. The Colt and Champ (Plymouth Colt after 1982[10]) as a 3-door hatchback in Deluxe or Custom equipment levels. These imports used a 70 horsepower (52 kW)Mitsubishi Orion 4G12 1.4-liter overhead-cam, four-cylinder engine at first, which received the highestUnited States Environmental Protection Agencyfuel economy rating in its debut year. This engine was joined by the 1.6-liter, 80 hp (60 kW)4G32 Saturn engine at the end of the year.[8] For 1981, a decontented version was introduced. An RS package also became available, with stiffer suspension, sportier interior with extra gauges, and a larger fuel tank.[11]
| Colt US Sales[8] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | 3-door | 5-door |
| 1979 | 60,521 | — |
| 1980 | 83,711 | — |
| 1981 | 84,144 | — |
| 1982 | 52,355 | 22,675 |
| 1983 | 46,479 | 27,192 |
| 1984 | 44,724 | 19,657 |
There were three manual transmissions and one automatic transmission available. There was a KM110 four-speed manual transmission or a"Twin Stick" (Mitsubishi Super Shift) version of the transmission that used a two-speed transfer case to give 8 forward and 2 reverse speeds. There was also the option of a KM119 five-speed manual transmission or a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission.
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For 1982, a five-door hatchback joined the lineup. The names of the equipment levels changed to "E" and "DL". At some point claimed power dropped to 64 and 72 hp respectively for the small and large engines, while the 1.6 was only available with the automatic transmission. In August 1983, for the 1984 model year (which was to be the last year of this model of Colt), the GTS Turbo model arrived along with a naturally aspirated GTS package, similar to the earlier RS one.[12] Unique for North America - the turbocharged Colt/Mirages sold elsewhere had a 1.4-litre engine - this used the fuel-injected 1.6-litre 4G32T engine also seen in the next-generation Colt, providing 102 hp (76 kW) at 5500 rpm and considerable performance. It, too, featured the eight speed Twin Stick transmission and also received ventilated brakes in front.[3][13] Both GTS models, available with three-door bodywork only, received a larger 13.2 US gal (50 L) gas tank rather than the E and DL's 10.6 US gal (40 L) tank.[14] They also featured a sporty appearance with uprated suspension, blacked out trim details, and a sizable front air dam.[12]
| Fifth generation | |
|---|---|
 1987–1989 Dodge Colt three-door | |
| Overview | |
| Also called |
|
| Production | 1984–1991 |
| Model years | 1985–1988 (USA) 1985–1991 (Canada) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style |
|
| Layout | Front engine,front-wheel drive /four-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 3-speedautomatic 4/5-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 93.7 in (2,380 mm) |
| Length | Hatch: 157.3 in (3,995 mm) Sedan: 157.3 in (3,995 mm) |
| Width | 63.8 in (1,621 mm) |
| Height | 50.8 in (1,290 mm) |
Beginning in September 1984, the fifth generation Dodge/Plymouth Colt was marketed for model year 1985, as a three-door hatchback, a four-door sedan, and as a five-door minivan/station wagon marketed as the Dodge/Plymouth "Colt Vista"; a rebadgedMitsubishi Chariot. A twin-barrel carbureted 68 hp (51 kW) 1468 cc four was the Colt's base engine, while the4G32BTturbocharged 1.6-litre already seen in the last model year of the previous Colts was optional on the upscale Premier four-door sedan and standard on the GTS Turbo hatchback. Power for the turbocharged variant remained 102 hp (76 kW) at 5500 rpm, as for the previous generation. A first for FWD Colts was the availability of a three-box four-door sedan body; it and the 3-door hatchback were available in the US from 1985 to 1988; the 5-door hatchback only in 1985 (and only in base E trim) and the wagon not until 1988. The five-door hatchback was only available for a single model year as Chrysler was worried about this car cannibalizing sales of their ownOmni/Horizon.[16] The five-door was replaced by the E sedan for 1986. In Canada, the five-door hatchback was also available in DL trim.
Beginning in January 1988, Chrysler Canada began sourcing Colts from Thailand, assembled there from Japanese parts, planning on bringing in 8,000 cars per annum.[17] Thai Colts were imported to Canada until 1994.[18] From 1988 (and lasting until 1991), the Colt/Mirage was also marketed as theEagle Vista in Canada.
Early cars have small rectangular headlights in black inserts, while later models received more aerodynamic, flush-fitting units. The facelift model appeared for the 1987 model year, presented in late September 1986. The lowest-priced model was the "E" (for economy), followed by the "DL" and topped by the turbocharged but slow selling Premier and GTS Turbo models. In 1987 the turbocharged engine became an option for the DL hatchback, which replaced the GTS. Power for the turbo versions crept up to 105 hp (78 kW) for the 1988 model year. The DL Turbo remained available through 1988.[19] 1988 also marked the introduction of the wagon, initially only available with front-wheel drive. Unlike the remainder of the lineup, the 1988 wagon received a fuel injected version of the 1.5-liter engine which produces 75 hp (56 kW) at 5500 rpm.[20]
The Colt wagon, while never available with the turbocharged engine, did receive a more powerful 1,755 cc engine in the four-wheel-drive version which was added for 1989. The Wagon was only ever offered in DL trim. Unlike the FWD version, the DL 4x4 was not available with an automatic transmission.[15] The larger engine produces 87 hp (65 kW).[21] For the final year of the fifth generation Colt in the United States, the DL model received fully body-colored trim (including bumpers, mirrors, and so on) for what Plymouth referred to as a "dipped look."[19]
While the hatchback Colts were replaced for 1989 in the United States, the Colt Wagon continued to be available until the 1991 introduction of the Mitsubishi RVR-based Colt Wagon, which also replaced the Colt Vista. The late Colt Wagons of this generation received the newer, twin cam Sirius 1.6-liter engine with 113 hp (84 kW) when equipped with front-wheel drive.[21] This model was also marketed as the Eagle Vista Wagon in Canada. In Canada, this generation Colt sedans and hatchbacks also continued to be offered alongside the next generation under the 'Colt 100' moniker, as a lower-priced alternative to the new model which was badged "Colt 200". The Colt 100 was still available with the turbo engine as well as in luxuriously appointed LX trim in 1990, but by 1991 only the E and DL models remained.
| Sixth generation | |
|---|---|
 1989 Dodge Colt | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Mirage/Lancer Plymouth Colt Eagle Summit |
| Production | 1989–1992 |
| Assembly | Kurashiki,Okayama,Japan (Hatchback) Normal, Illinois (Sedans) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-doorhatchback 4-doorsedan |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 3-speedautomatic 4-speedmanual 5-speedmanual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 93.9 in (2,385 mm) |
| Length | 158.7 in (4,031 mm) |
| Width | 65.5 in (1,664 mm) |
| Height | 52.0 in (1,321 mm) |
For the 1989 model year, Eagle began marketing itsSummit as anotherrebadged Mitsubishi Mirage. Sales started in August 1988. In Canada, the previous generation continued as a carryover model withEagle Vista or Colt 100 badging, replacing the earlier Colt sedan. The new model was sold as the Dodge/Plymouth 'Colt 200' in Canada, to distinguish it from the previous version.
Since the demise of theDodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon in 1990, the Colt was the only subcompact in the Dodge and Plymouth lineups. The Colt sedan was not sold in theUnited States for the sixth generation (though it was sold inCanada), as it would be replaced by theDodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance liftbacks in the Dodge/Plymouth lineup for 1989. The sedan bodywork, however, was available to American consumers as anEagle Summit.[22] Dodge and Plymouth Colt sedans returned for 1993-1994 as a variant of the next-generation Eagle Summit. The Dodge/Plymouth Colt, Eagle Summit, and Mitsubishi Mirage of this generation used 1.5 or 1.6-litre inline-four engines.
A model powered by the 1.6-litre4G61T 135 hp (101 kW) turbocharged four-cylinder was produced for the 1989 model year only. There are a rumored 1,500 of these special editions to have been produced. The engine was only offered in the Mirage and the Colt GT Turbo, which were distinguished by their ground effects and spoilers (although these parts were also available for a price as add-ons to other model ranges) and by their extra features not normally found on base model ranges such as power seats,[citation needed] power windows, power locks, and power mirrors, special colored interior and seats, as well as a 150 mph/9000 rpm gauge cluster. The Turbo Colt/Mirage Turbo was one ofCar and Driver magazine'sTen Best for 1989. A naturally aspirated version of this engine was available for the following years Colt GT, with power down to 113 hp.
Power of the 1.5-litre 4G15 was up to 82 hp (61 kW) thanks to multi-point fuel injection. Top speed was 160 km/h (99 mph).[23]
The Colt Wagon was redesigned in 1991, now based on theRVR, and continued in production until the 1996 model year.
| Seventh generation | |
|---|---|
 1993-1994 Plymouth Colt | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Mitsubishi Mirage Eagle Summit Plymouth Colt |
| Production | 1993–1994 (USA) 1993-1995 (Canada) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-doorcoupe 4-doorsedan 3-doorvan (seeMitsubishi RVR) |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Related | Mitsubishi Lancer |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.5 L4G15I4 1.8 L4G93 16V I4 |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 3/4-speedautomatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Sedan: 98.4 in (2,499 mm) Coupe: 96.1 in (2,441 mm) |
| Length | Sedan: 174.0 in (4,420 mm) Coupe: 171.1 in (4,346 mm) |
| Width | Base: 66.1 in (1,679 mm) ES: 66.5 in (1,689 mm) |
| Height | Sedan: 51.4 in (1,306 mm) Coupe: 51.6 in (1,311 mm) |
The seventh generation of the Colt was the same as Plymouth's version, and also the same as the Eagle Summit. As usual, they were all simply badge-engineered versions of the Mitsubishi Mirage/Lancer. There was no hatchback version of the seventh generation Dodge/Plymouth Colt. Originally available in Base and GL versions, the ES (with supposedly more sporting intentions) was added later.
1.5 and 1.8 litre four-cylinder engines were used, with the larger engine originally only available to four-door Colts. While the sporting variants offered in the sixth generation were not renewed, the two-door ES was available with the more powerful sixteen-valve SOHC 1.8 for the 1994 model year.[24] The smaller engine has 92 hp (69 kW) while the larger version has 113 hp (84 kW). The previous Colt Wagon (Mitsubishi RVR) continued to be sold until 1996, while the Dodge and Plymouth Colts were replaced by the newNeon after the 1994 model year.[24]
The Plymouth Cricket nameplate was used (in addition to Dodge Colt) on Galants sold inCanada between mid-1973 and 1975, after Chrysler stopped using the Plymouth Cricket name for a rebadgedHillman Avenger-based model sourced from the United Kingdom (and sold across North America between 1971 and 1973).
ThePlymouth Arrow was offered from 1976 to 1980 as a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Lancer Celeste, not to be confused with the rebadged Mitsubishi truck sold as the Plymouth Arrow starting in 1979.
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