Unloved Hatchback twins: The Mitsubishi Colt GTi/ Proton Satria (318) GTi

While browsing the classifieds looking for a cheap trackday car I stumbled across a few of these here. That’s the Mitsubishi Colt CA0 GTi, a little hot hatch that most people barely notice.

The car was built between 1992 and 1996 and was equipped with a naturally aspirated 4G93 1.8l 4 cylinder, delivering a respectable 138hp. With a curb weight of just 950kg, the car makes for a perfect entry-level trackday car or a wonderful backroad car.

Most people seem to only care about the Hondas and Toyotas of that era, but other manufacturers had awesome hatches in their range too. But that complete lack of interest results in the car now being a lot cheaper than comparable Civics.

In 1999, so three years after Mitsubishi ended the production, Proton decided to revive the car and build it as the Proton Satria Gti or 318 GTi (depending on the market).

The same 4G93 engine was used, but power was reduced to 133hp due to stricter emissions regulations. But one thing made the Proton special compared to the Colt and that’s the suspension. Instead of using the same suspension setup Mitsubishi used before, they decided to task Lotus (which was owned by Proton at that time) with the development of a new suspension. The car even said Lotus on the back.

The Proton even featured a bodykit, Recaro seats and one of the most weirdly shaped exhausts of all time.