NEED A LITTLE SPACE? (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 164

Mitsubishi weren't the first company to enter the micro MPV sector, and they certainly won't be the last. Their offering in this corner of the market, the Colt Space Star, isn't the quickest, the most spacious, the cleverest or the cheapest. What it does offer is a comfortable middle ground, a smartly styled appearance and an impressive pair of engines. Most will overlook it in favour of more conspicuous offerings such as the Renault Scenic, Fiat Multipla or Vauxhall Zafira, but in truth the Mitsubishi is a smaller, less ambitious proposition more akin to a Mazda Demio or Daihatsu Grand Move. To ignore a used Space Star because of this is to pass a competent offering by, and one that offers 90% of the utility of mini MPVs at a modest price. If you want a nearly new micro MPV that does nothing badly and won't go out of fashion by the end of the month, then a Mitsubishi Space Star bears closer scrutiny.

Modelsword count: 13

Models Covered: 1998-2002 (5 dr Micro MPV 1.3, 1.8 petrol [base, GL, GLX])

Historyword count: 214

The Colt Space Star was introduced to the UK market in December 1998, although customers first started physically buying cars in early 1999. With rival offerings such as the Daihatsu Grand Move and Mazda Demio having accustomed the British public to the concept of the micro MPV, take up was steady for the smartly styled newcomer. Two engines were offered, an 84bhp 1.3-litre unit and the revolutionary 'gasoline direct injection' 1.8-litre engine developing a punchy 121bhp. GDI technology aimed to make a petrol-powered car drive like a petrol but drink like a diesel, and was definitely the Space Star's key selling point. The 1.3-litre model was available in base, GL and GLX trim levels, whilst the 1.8 GDI range consisted of GLX and range-topping GLS designations. In July 2002, a new Space Star (minus the 'Colt' tag) appeared in the UK. Though the 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines remained as before, the 1.8-litre GDI petrol unit was dropped in favour of the 101bhp 1.9-litre DI-D diesel unit used in the larger Carisma. Prices were realigned and the range refined to just two trim levels, Mirage and Equipped. Every exterior panel was new but you wouldn't have known it. Inside, the look and feel was much improved - there were even cupholders in the rear.

What You Getword count: 231

Inside, the seating layout is pretty conventional, apart from the way the rear seats slide 150mm forward and back, either to improve legroom or increase rear luggage capacity. There are some neat MPV-orientated storage touches though. Take the under-seat tray for a first aid kit, the sunglasses pocket and the floor console box which can store up to 9 CDs or 12 cassettes. Or the sturdy hooks at the four corners of the cargo area to secure bulky items. The way that the emergency triangle is stored above-floor in its own compartment so you don't have to fish about for it in an emergency is also neat. Plus, bear in mind that the extra roof height allows the Colt Space Star to carry awkward things that wouldn't go in a family hatch: a bicycle, for example, or a barbecue. On the subject of nice touches, there's also a pod on top of the centre console which houses an LCD display, intended, say Mitsubishi, to function as 'an executive assistant to the driver'. This may be overstating things a bit but it is a very useful device. The same screen incorporates a standard trip computer giving the usual information on items like average speed, outside temperature, fuel consumption and the distance you can go on the remaining fuel. Alternatively it functions as the display for the stereo and optional satellite navigation system.

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