Performance Review: Mitsubishi Colt Starion Turbo - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mitsubishi Colt Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mitsubishi Colt Starion Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Mitsubishi Colt has a 1997cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Colt shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Colt's Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1225 kgs (2700 lbs) this makes the Mitsubishi Colt Starion Turbo in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Mitsubishi Colt shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 1997cc 8V St4 engine produces 177 bhp (131 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 214 lb-ft (290.1 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mitsubishi Colt you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mitsubishi Colt.

The Mitsubishi Colt has a Power to weight ratio of 144.4 bhp per ton and 174.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 Colt competing with the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (169.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mitsubishi Colt generating around 174.6 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (199.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS 4.8 V8 (199.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.5 secs, this made the Mitsubishi Colt Starion Turbo as fast as the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Insignia 2.0 SIDI Turbo 4x4 (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the or the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs). This Mitsubishi Colt Starion Turbo is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (7.40 secs) the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (7.40 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper S Paceman (7.40 secs) the and the 2012 Seat Ibiza 1.4 FR Turbo Supercharged (7.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Colt and the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion

When talking about the performance of the Mitsubishi Colt on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.63 secs @ 87.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TSI 4Motion (15.56 secs), the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs), and the 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop (15.57 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Mitsubishi Colt Starion Turbo has a maximum speed of 135mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 Colt equals the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Mitsubishi Colt Starion Turbo then how about the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (146 mph), the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (146 mph), or the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (146 mph).

Related Links:

1985 Colt Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mitsubishi

Car Comparison