Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has announced that it will unveil a coupe-cabriolet concept of the New Colt - jointly developed with Pininfarina S.p.A of Italy - at the 75th Geneva International Motor Show on 1st March, 2005.

Based on the European Colt, the open car has a design crafted by Mitsubishi Design Europe (MDE) and Pininfarina S.p.A. and is based on the CZ2 Cabriolet concept displayed at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show.

Using the Colt Hatchback platform rather than the shorter Colt 3-door for packaging purposes, it takes its design cues from the acclaimed 2003 CZ2 Cabriolet concept. Compact (3.89 m) and well planted on its long wheelbase, wide tracks and 18” wheels, it offers a purposeful chunky look, matching the performance of its proposed 150 ps 1.5 litre MIVEC turbo-charged engine.

Presented in warm tones, this sporty 2+2 convertible benefits from the architecture of New Colt and in particular, its large and fast windshield, to protect its passengers from turbulence.

The Colt coupe-cabriolet concept is a preview of the car that will be assembled at Pininfarina, with some of the stampings sourced from MMC's NedCar plant in The Netherlands. Reflecting market trends in Europe, the production car will replace the soft top of the CZ2 Cabriolet with a retractable hard top.

The European Colt has won critical accolades* in several countries since its market introduction in May 2004, including the coveted "Das Goldene Lenkrad" (Golden Steering Wheel) presented by the German Sunday newspaper "Bild am Sonntag" published by Axel Springer AG.

Also on the MMC stands will be the new diesel version of the Grandis minivan, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged unit supplied by Volkswagen AG and featuring a sophisticated pump-jet injection system. The Grandis Diesel will go on sale in Europe during the 3rd quarter of 2005.

The Geneva Motor Show runs from 3rd March to 13th March 2005.

* "Car of the Year in Denmark 2005" by the Danish Automotive Journalists Club; "Compact Car of the Year 2004" by the Kampioen magazine published by the Dutch automobile association, ANWB; "Rumania Car of the Year 2005"; "Incredible 2004" by CAR in the UK; "OpMaat 2004-2005" by the Dutch OpMaat (The Right Size) magazine.