Mitsubishi Colt ClubCab

Mitsubishi Colt ClubCab - a bakkie-and-a half

The Mitsubishi Motors Division of DaimlerChrysler South Africa has expanded its successful range of Colt pick-ups with the introduction of the unique Clubcab for the South African pick-up market. With its cab-and-a-half body configuration, it offers added tax benefits for commercial buyers, outstanding equipment levels and a powerful range of three engines and two drive configurations.

After the integration of Mitsubishi Motors as a full division of DaimlerChrysler South Africa, it has extended its model line-up by adding a ClubCab version of the Colt bakkie range to benefit users with more applications. The ClubCab is available in two and four-wheel drive and a choice of Mitsubishi’s 97 kW/192 Nm 2,4-litre and 133 kW/255 Nm 3,0-litre petrol fuel injected petrol engines, as well as a 92 kW/294 Nm (peaking at a mere 2 000 r/min) 2,8 TDi diesel powerplant.

In its latest guise, the Colt bakkie range has been a marketing success bar none. The double cab version (Rodeo) has become the top-selling double cab 4x4 in South Africa and holds around 33 per cent of that market.

According to a Mitsubishi release, the Colt Rodeo 2,8Tdi 4x4, in particular, has created a great demand from customers for a similar engine in a single cab. Mitsubishi Motors engineers in Japan indicated that while the single cab would not be able to package this engine, the ClubCab (extended single cab) could.

DaimlerChrysler SA in conjunction with the Mitsubshi Motors engineer in Japan set about building and testing a ClubCab with the powerful 2,8-litre Turbo Diesel engine with intercooler.

Customer research showed that 85% of customers would be happy with a smaller load box (this was the price to pay for an extended single cab), but most demanded a security cover, a high specification level including air conditioning, radio/tape, alloy wheels and safety equipment such as ABS brakes.

The ClubCab is essentially an extended two-door single cab with space behind the front seats, providing extra security space. As a commercial vehicle, the ability for commercial enterprises to claim back VAT, provides additional savings. Two removable, durable and lockable polyethylene utility boxes take up the space behind the front seats of the compartment.

The ClubCab range of four models – 2,8 Turbo Diesel with Intercooler and 3,0i V6 petrol (4x2 models), and the 2,4i petrol and 2,8 Turbo Diesel with Intercooler 4x4s – have the same suspension lay-outs and under the skin safety features as their 4x2 and 4x4 single and double-cab counterparts, with a full specification list. ABS, alloy wheels (with 245/75R15 tyres), central locking, air conditioning, and radio/casette with optional front loader CD or CD shuttle, difflock and alloy wheels complete the standard feature list. For the first time leather seats are also offered as an option on a single cab.

On 4x4 models, the suspension is made up of double wishbones with a torsion-bar spring and stabiliser up front, and rigid axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs at the rear. A feature of the entire Mitsubishi Colt 4x4 range is on-the-fly engagement of four-wheel drive (4H) while the vehicle is moving at speeds of up to 100 km/h. The free-wheel differential engages automatically when four-wheel drive is selected. Coupled with the differential-lock facility, this means that the Mitsubishi Colt 4x4 is extremely versatile in off-road conditions

All models in the Mitsubishi Colt range are fitted as standard with a load-sensing proportional valve (LSVP). This LSPV operates by monitoring vehicle load and regulating the rear brake hydraulic pressure accordingly.

Like other Colts, the ClubCab is covered by an all-inclusive 2 years or 100 000km warranty