Nostalgic Subcompact: Tall wagon triplets—Mitsubishi Expo LRV, Eagle Summit Wagon, and Plymouth Colt Vista

Updated 7/3/20: The Mitsubishi Expo LRV (Light Recreational Vehicle) was my first car and was the vehicle that really got me into subcompact cars. It was the first vehicle I ever really worked on a modified (yes, I added some mods to mine ... more on that later). I even ran a Web site called the "Mitsubishi Expo LRV Pages," which included a gallery and forum for this vehicle.

The Tall Wagon
When released to the U.S. market in 1992, the Mitsubishi Expo LRV, Eagle Summit Wagon, and Plymouth Colt Vista triplets were pretty unique to the U.S. market and were closest to a class of vehicle that included cars such as the Nissan Stanza Wagon, the Dodge Colt Vista, the Honda Civic Wagon, and the hard-to-remember Nissan Axxes. However, other than the Axxes, the previous tall wagons had ceased to exist in the U.S. This body style was (and is) popular in other parts of the world, and was sold as the Mitsubishi RVR (Recreational Vehicle Runner) and Space Runner elsewhere. It seemed tall wagons weren't popular in U.S. market, but Mitsubishi was going to give it a go one more time.

All three vehicles were about the same size as a first-generation Scion xB, but featured a sliding side door like a minivan instead of four traditional doors. Under the Mitsubishi brand, there was also the Mitsubishi Expo (no "LRV," just Expo), which was a bigger version with four doors.

Powertrain
The vehicles were powered by a choice of engines. The SOHC Mitsubishi 4G93 1.8-liter engine generating 113 hp. and 118 ft./lbs. or torque. It was available with an automatic or five-speed transmission, and all-wheel drive was an option, too. Fuel economy was rated at 21/26 for the FWD model with five-speed; 18/24 with the AWD and automatic.

Optionally, a SOHC 4G64 2.4-liter engine was available on all models (starting in 1993 in the Expo LRV). This bumped horsepower up to 136, and torque up to 145 ft./lbs. and made the vehicle quite a bit faster. Fuel economy went to 19/26 with the larger engine.

As a side note, the Mitsubishi RVR/Space Runner was available with other engines including a diesel, the non-turbo 4G63 out of the Eclipse, and the turbocharged 4G63T found in the Eclipse and EVO. In fact, there was a version called the Mitsubishi RVR Hyper Sports Gear (at left) that was essentially an Evolution III wearing an Expo/RVR body. Do want.

Chassis
All three tall wagons rode on a 99.2" wheelbase (168.5 overall length) and weighed in at about 2,700 lbs (FWD). The vehicles had front and rear independent suspensions, too, although the suspension was very soft, which didn't help cornering (we used to joke that "LRV" stood for "Likely to Roll oVer"). Rolling stock consisted of 14" steel wheels with an alloy option. However, the ride wasn't bad at all. My '92 Expo LRV had four-wheel disc brakes and ABS, which was optional.

Interior
The interior was the highlight of these vehicles; not because it was ultra-luxurious, but because it was ultra-versatile.

Open the sliding rear door and there was a bench seat that could seat three. When it came time to haul cargo, the bench worked its magic: The back could fold down, it could fold down and flip forward, or it could be completely removed. I was able to get stuff in my Expo LRV that my mom wasn't able to get in her much larger 1997 Montero Sport.

Nothing too special about the front passenger's compartment. Two comfortable, albeit, unsupportive bucket seats up front. The 1992 model year had no airbags but did have the much-loathed motorized seatbelts. In addition, the '92 model year didn't have a tachometer. I believe subsequent years did, though.

In 1995, the vehicles got a passenger's side airbag; 1996 years got dual bags.

In 1992, there were a decent amount of options, too, including cruise, power windows/locks, rear defrost, AM/FM/Cassette, air conditioning, roof rack, power sunroof, rear window wiper, and more.

I remember the vehicle was praised by Car & Driver, and was referred to several times as a great alternative to larger vehicles due to its great cargo capacity.

Regardless of any praise, options, or performance, these vehicles may have proved too niche at the time for the U.S. market ...

The demise of the tall wagon triplets
Things started to fall off for these vehicles early on: 1993 was the last model year for the Plymouth Colt Vista wagon. The following year was the last for the Mitsubishi Expo LRV, although the full-size Expo continued on to 1995. The last to go was the Eagle Summit Wagon, which lasted until the 1996 model year.

The automotive market essentially went five years before another tall wagon came to market: That tall wagon was the PT Cruiser in 2001. Then, in 2004, Scion introduced the xB and xA, which were also tall wagons.

Me and my 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV on the way to college in 1996

My Mitsubishi Expo LRV
Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of my old Mitsubishi Expo LRV. I had a ton of them for my old Web site, but no more. My Expo LRV was the "sport" version in Barbados Blue with Gray cladding, and the 14" steel wheels. It was a FWD version with a manual transmission and no tach and no rear windshield wiper. (To get the rear wiper, at least on 1992 versions, you had to get an automatic transmission.)

When I started the Mitsubishi Expo LRV Pages in 1996 or 1997, I believe, I ran across other fans of these vehicles. One person even had begun to modify his. I followed his lead and installed a custom-bent 2.5" cat-back exhaust system with the Midas "high-performance" muffler (e.g. a non-straight-through muffler without fiberglass); I modified the airbox and installed a K&N drop-in filter. At 19 years of age, I thought it sounded great. However, I look back and it did sound like a weed eater. I eventually had a resonator installed in the exhaust system which helped.

After nearly 120,000 miles on my Expo LRV, I traded it in on a 1999 Nissan Sentra SE Limited, which was much cooler. However, it wasn't nearly as versatile. Eventually, I went the way of the tall wagon again in 2005 and bought an xB. However, they say you always remember your first, and my Expo LRV was my first car.

My dream project car has always been to have an Expo LRV with the 4G63 turbo engine from the Eclipse. It'd make a smokin' sleeper. Some day.

LINKS
Eagle Summit/Mitsu RVR/LRV/Vista Tuners (Facebook)

Consumer Guide: 1992-95 Mitsubishi Expo/Expo LRV

Mitsubishi RVR (Wikipedia)

The Mitsubishi Expo LRV was the perfect college car

This, my friends, is a picture of a 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV. That stud-like dude in front of it? Yeah, that's an 18 year-old me. It was 1996 and I'm about to go away for my freshman year of college. The car was a much-appreciated hand-me-down, which was on loan from my mom. This vehicle taught me lessons in frugality, practicality, and travel. The Expo LRV was inexpensive to fuel, could hold a ton of stuff, and gave me the ability to see the world on my own. I was extremely fortunate to be able to bring a vehicle to college, especially since I was in rural Wisconsin. This car gave me the chance to get the hell out of Dodge, or in my case, Menomonie, from time to time. Although I really wanted a Volkswagen GTI back then, I knew I was very lucky to have any vehicle at all.

I grew up with small cars.

People ask, "So why small cars?" I typically give them the same response, which is it's what I've always had (among a bunch of factors I prefer in a car/truck). But it's true. Growing up, we always had one subcompact/compact and a larger vehicle, which was usually my dad's company car. Although there was some overlap, my family's car history looked something like this:

Small Car	Larger Car
Ford Pinto	Ford Torino?
Dodge Champ	Buick Century
Dodge Omni	Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra
Dodge Colt	Plymouth Voyager
Mitsubishi Eclipse	Jeep Cherokee
Mitsubishi Expo LRV	Jeep Cherokee (still)

Some time after the Eclipse was bought, my parents split (I blame Mitsubishi). My dad got a 1990 Jeep Cherokee, mom took the 1990 Eclipse.

However, after two years of having a leased Eclipse, it became apparent to my mom that it wasn't the optimal car for a single mother of two living in the snow belt. So, after showing her an article in Car and Driver about the '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV (it was teal, I remember), she checked out the Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport and bought an Amazon Blue version (with a gold pinstripe, thank you very much). I ended up with this car from 1994-1999 (still the longest I've owned a single car), mom bought another Eclipse (a '94 GS) and the rest was history ... kind of.

The Expo wasn't a "cool" car to me at the time (despite the custom exhaust and intake I put on it. Wait was it ever "cool"?), and I really liked the upcoming sport-compact scene. I ended up getting a '99 Nissan Sentra SE Limited (SR20DE-powered; at left), then going on a habitual car buying/selling spree until 2005, which is when I bought my Scion xB—the car that reinvigorated my appreciation for the smallest of small cars. The rest isn't history—more like the present. I now own a 2007 Toyota Yaris, a 2010 Suzuki SX4, and a 1995 Suzuki Sidekick.

Three Small Sleeper Projects

Twin-turbo LS-powered Geo Tracker. Photo via EngineSwapDepot.com

If you’re a gearhead, you no doubt know what a sleeper is. If you’re unfamiliar, a sleeper is a vehicle that may not look like much, but it’s actually a high-performance vehicle in a dowdy package. Think wolf in sheep’s clothing. Think high horsepower with hubcaps. Not all sleepers need to look super boring; they can simply be a platform that’s not generally associated with performance that is a surprising performer.

WANT: Mitsubishi RVR Hyper Sports Gear R

The Mitsubishi RVR (Recreational Vehicle Runner), aka the Mitsubishi Expo LRV/Eagle Summit Wagon/Plymouth Colt Vista, was a mini minivan. It was a practical and frugal vehicle,especially with the diesel option.

Then there was the RVR Hyper Sportsgear R.

The RVR Hyper Sports Gear, or HSG, was essentially a tall Mitsubishi Evolution III with a sliding door. It was powered by the renowned 4G63T making 220ps or about 217 horsepower, which went to an all-wheel drive system. This was slightly detuned from the EVO III, but not much. The HSG came with Recaro seats and distinguishing bodywork, including that trademark front end and spoiler. There was an external spare tire option, too. It was kinda rally car, kinda minivan, kinda strange, and totally unique.

There was a bodystyle change in 1997, and the HSG went away. However, the RVR Sports Gear X3 was available with the 4G63T again, this time making about 250ps (246 hp). It wasn't as radical looking as the first-gen, but it surely still had plenty of power (see the two pics below, top row).

Apparently, these vehicles have a cult following in Japan, Australia, and parts of Europe. I had a '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV, and someday would love to have a 4G63T-powered Expo. Add it to the list of dream projects.

You can find some info about the RVR HSG on some Mitsubishi Evolution forums, especially those in Australia, but unless you read Japanese, info on these is kind of sparse otherwise. Regardless, the RVR HSG is one of my all-time favorite vehicles if not simply for the irony of a tall-wagon with more than 200 turbocharged horsepower ... and a sliding door.

Nostalgic Subcompact: Dodge Colt, Mitsubishi Mirage, and its other Eagle and Plymouth cousins

Since 1971, Mitsubishi and Chrysler have had a relationship that has produced a number of vehicles. The first collaboration was a subcompact initially called the Dodge Colt, which was a rebadged Mitsubishi Galant. Until 1996, Dodge, Eagle, Mitsubishi and/or Plymouth had a subcompact vehicle called one of many names including Colt, Cricket, Champ, Mirage, or Summit. There were various submodels, too, such as Colt Vista, Colt GTS, Summit Wagon, and they were all different. The one commonality was that the vehicles were engineered by Mitsubishi. The Mirage/Colt, however, never seemed to reach the semi-iconic statuses that the Toyota Corolla or even some of the Datsun/Nissan models achieved. However, these cars, especially the turbocharged versions of the 1980s, were fast, fun, and affordable.

Our family had a 1980 and 1985 Dodge Colt, and a 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV. None were the turbo, hot-rod models, but all were reliable, affordable, practical transportation.

Here's a brief history of the Dodge Colt/Mitsubishi Mirage in the U.S., and all of the various sub-branded cars that came from Mitsubishi from 1971-1994.

First Generation: 1971-1978
Beginning in 1971, Chrysler started importing and selling the Mitsubishi Galant under the Dodge Colt nameplate. The first Colts were all rear-wheel drive and offered either a 1.5-liter, 1.6-liter, or a 2.0-liter four cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic at various periods during their availability. (A five-speed trans was available beginning in 1976.) There were two-door coupes, four-door sedans, and a wagon variant. The Colt was a direct competitor to the Toyotas and Datsuns of the time.

Personally, I have not seen many of these on the road. On occasion, I'll see one on craigslist or eBay, but they seem to be pretty rare. It wasn't until recently that I even knew this generation was for sale in North America (aka Plymouth Cricket in Canada).

Second Generation: 1979-1984
Things changed quite a bit for the 1979 Dodge Colt. Chrysler sold the Plymouth Champ (my parents had a red one) along side the Colt, even though they were essentially the same car. The '79 models were available as a three-door at first, and they were pretty darn small, too. This generation was front-wheel drive, and the standard engine was a 1.4-liter; a 1.6-liter was optional. Transmissions were either a four-speed manual, a three-speed auto, or an odd-duck called a "twin stick," which had high and low gears, basically making the vehicle an eight speed.

In 1982, a five-door model became available, and in '83, the Champ name was dropped, meaning both Dodge and Plymouth offered the Colt.

In 1984, Dodge released the hot-hatch Colt GTS, which included a fuel-injected 102 hp, 1.6-liter turbo engine and the Twin-Stick transmission. This little guy pumped out 7.5 lbs. of boost. Nowadays, these are rare birds, too. Dodge claimed a 0-50 time (yes, 50) of 5.78 seconds according to a vintage advertisement I found on the Web.

Although the GTS is the rarest of this generation, I still don't see many Colts/Champs from the '79-84 era at all, and I don't believe there's a huge enthusiast base for these years, either.

Third Generation: 1985-1988
For 1985, the Colt got a bit bigger, and the car was now sold through Mitsubishi dealerships as the Mirage. There were still three- and five-door hatchbacks, but a four-door sedan and Colt Vista wagon were added. A 1.5-liter engine was standard; a turbo 1.6-liter was available, as was a 2.0-liter engine (Vista only). Transmission choices included a four- or five-speed manual and a three-speed auto. The fuel-injected turbo model (G32B) produced around 120 hp (I believe—if anyone knows for sure, post in the comments section), and had a sportier suspension, and other performance-related accoutrements. The normally aspirated engines were available with carburetors or fuel injection, and horsepower ranged from 51 on the base 1.5 with a carb, to 88 on the fuel-injected 2.0 liter found in the Colt Vista.

My family had a 1985 beige five-door hatchback Dodge Colt with a maroon vinyl interior (yes, it was uber hot in the summer). As a side note, the five-door was dropped in '86. We nearly bought a Colt Vista wagon, but ended up buying a Plymouth Voyager instead.

Fourth Generation: 1989-1991
For 1989, the Dodge Colt was redesigned, and again offered as the Mitsubishi Mirage, but also as the Eagle Summit. Initially, the cars were available in three-door hatch and four-door sedan bodystyles. Powerplants included an 81 hp, 1.5-liter, two-valve SOHC four-cylinder (later bumped to 92 with the addition of a third valve); the 1.6-liter turbocharged 4G61t four cylinder, producing 135 hp; and a 1.6-liter, normally aspirated 4G61 DOHC engine, which appeared in 1991, in the Mirage GS sedan. The Colt Vista, however, remained relatively unchanged from its original 1985 introduction.

This generation Mirage/Colt has become somewhat of a interesting car for some hot rodders, too. The venerable 4G63T found in the turbo Eclipse/Talon/Laser, has been placed under the hood of a number of Colts/Mirages, making them darn fast. Plus, some people will build up the 4G61, too (see the link to to the 4G61t forums below).

Fifth Generation: 1992-1996
Yet another redesign for the 1992 model year, and another growth spurt. Gone were the turbo engines. Gone were the hatchbacks. The U.S.-market Colt/Mirage/Summit were offered as two-door coupes, four-door sedans, and an all-new Plymouth Colt Vista/Mitsubishi Expo LRV/Eagle Summit Wagon was offered. Coupes came standard with a 92 hp, 1.5-liter SOHC engine (4G91) while sedans got the 113 hp, 1.8 liter, 4G93 SOHC 16-valve engine (the 1.8 liter was optional on coupes in 1994). The wagon came standard with the 1.8-liter, although a 2.4-liter mill (4G64) was offered later.

This generation also gained an airbag in 1994, then got airbags (plural) in 1995.

In 1994, the Dodge Neon was introduced, and replaced the Colt. The Eagle Summit, continued until 1996. The Mitsubishi Mirage was offered until 2002, when it was replaced by the Lancer.

The Colt lived on in many other European, Asian, and Oceanic markets, and is still produced today, in some very appealing trim levels. Then again, in these markets, the hatches never left—nor did the turbo models.

LINKS
Mitsubishi Mirage (Edmunds)
Dodge Champ (Allpar)
4g61t.org (Turbo Mirage/Colt site)
1st/2nd gen Colt/Mirage photos (4g61t.org)

2016 Overland Expo West: The Essential Overlanding Show

Photos and Words By Mercedes Lilienthal
 
How would one sum up this year’s Overland Expo West? Windy? Fun? Exciting? Informative? Well, yes, we say all of the above. What was my first time attending and covering this show will surely not be the last. The 2016 Overland Expo West was an awesomely windy, thrilling, fast-paced, and exciting event.

Should Mitsubishi's new Mirage come to the U.S.?

The 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV was my first car. I grew up lusting for a 3000GT VR-4. My family owned two Eclipses in the early 1990s. I'd still love to find an '80s Mirage turbo, and my dream project is to put a 4G63T into an Expo LRV. Although I really like Mitsubishis, there isn't a new one that I'd buy.

Apparently, I'm not alone. Fewer and fewer people are stepping into Mitsubishi dealers. In the '80s and '90s, Mitsubishi made some of the most unique, edgy, and fun Japanese vehicles, and sales were good. With the Eclipse and Endeavor, and Galant on their way out, there are surprisingly few cars that apparently appeal to car shoppers. Plus, Mitsubishi, much like Suzuki (and there are plenty of parallels for the two companies in the U.S.), doesn't offer a gas-sipping B-segment vehicle here.

Now, Automotive News is reporting that Mitsubishi will bring the all-new Mirage to Canada, and that there's a 50/50 chance it'll make it Stateside. However, will this car help to usher in the masses to the Mitsubishi dealers?

ColtVista.com aims to connect Expo, Summit, and of course, Colt Vista fans (yes, they're out there)

Let's face it: There's a website for nearly everything out there. However, there has never been a very good place dedicated to getting information about the Dodge Colt Vista and later Plymouth Colt Vista/Eagle Summit Wagon/Mitsubishi Expo tall wagons; at least not since I shut down the Mitsubishi Expo LRV Pages in 1999 after trading in my '92 Expo LRV. However, there is now a place for those looking for a DSM tall wagon community: ColtVista.com

It's true—there aren't many of us out there that are enthusiastic about these vehicles, but we do exist (yes, I'm one of them). Heck, mine had a custom exhaust, custom intake, and a few other goodies. It was a great vehicle, and I'd love to pick another one up some day as a 4G63T sleeper project.

So whether you want to share a story about your Colt Vista, are looking for parts for your '93 Eagle Summit Wagon, or simply want to connect with other tall-wagon fans, check out ColtVista.com. I already signed up.

Thanks to Subcompact Culture reader "smitty" for the tip.

LINK
ColtVista.com

Mitsubishi Expo LRV commercial is terrible and wonderful

When I tell people my first car was a 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV, they usually nod their head. But, frankly, most people don't have a clue as to what they were unless they either owned one or read my Nostalgic Subcompact article on them.

The Expo and it's near identical Eagle Summit Wagon and Plymouth Colt Vista twins weren't hot sellers, and I don't think this terrible commercial filmed in 1991 (according to the YouTube video) probably didn't help, either. Regardless, it's wonderful to see some of the obscure marketing material about this often-forgetten DSM vehicle.

And the Expo LRV was indeed more than a four door. It was a two door with a sliding side door and a hatchback ... and I still want to get another one and put a 4G63T swap in it. Then it really will be more than a four door.

Review: 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer GT

In the 1980s and 1990s Mitsubishi had a host of interesting, fun cars that were different but still intriguing. There were enthusiast vehicles such as the turbocharged, RWD Starion; the turbocharged 4G63T-powered FWD and AWD Eclipse; and the fire-breathing twin-turbo 3000GT VR-4. There were funky, practical hatchbacks and wagons, such as the Expo LRV (available with AWD) and the Mirage (which was also available with a turbo). There were rugged, true SUVs, such as the Montero and even the Montero Sport. Today’s Mitsubishi lineup is a bit harder to get excited about. Yes, the fire-breathing turbocharged AWD EVO is still around—at least until the end of the year—and the Outlander and compact Outlander Sport are actually quite good, although not exactly titillating. Of course, the new Mirage is out, but it’s quite rudimentary—even if it is available in fuchsia. Finally, there’s the aging Lancer sedan. It’s available in FWD or AWD and has horsepower ratings ranging from a tepid 148 to a gusty 237, it’s still showing its age, especially against the latest crop of compact cars. Our test model is the GT, which features the 2.4-liter engine making 168 hp, and it’s mated to a CVT.

Mitsubishi Releases 2021 Mirage, G4 Photos

Mitsubishi Motors debuted its Thai-made 2021 Mirage (aka Space Star) and Mirage G4 (aka Attrage) in Thailand yesterday. The new subcompact hatchback and sedan receive an exterior and interior refresh, and how feature the company's Dynamic Shield front end. Both cars will be on display at the Thailand International Motor Expo 2019 on November, 28.

Mitsubishi bets small; confirms Mirage for sale in U.S.

Mitsubishi has announced it will be importing the new Mirage into the U.S. This is big news for Mitsubishi, which has said it is committed to the U.S. auto market after another struggling Japanese brand, Suzuki, announced it is ceasing to sell new cars in the U.S.

Assuming the specs don't change much from other markets, the Mirage will be 146.1" long (about 2" longer than a Chevy Spark), have a 96.5" wheelbase (about 2" shorter than a Toyota Yaris), and weigh about 1,830 lbs. (22 lbs. heavier than a Smart ForTwo). Power will be from a 1.2-liter DOHC three cylinder making 77 horsepower and 74 ft./lbs. of torque and mated to a CVT. 

With these specs, I don't think this car will help Mitsubishi's struggling U.S. operations. Then again, if they priced it ridiculously low and marketed it right, maybe it would.

1992 Mitsubishi Road Test via MotorWeek

Admittedly, I have a thing for the old MotorWeek reviews. Maybe it's because I watched them growing up. I recently stumbled upon a review of my first car: the 1992 Mitsubishi Expo LRV.

Nostalgic Subcompact: Historic turbocharged hot hatches

I grew up with small hatchbacks. We had a 1979 Plymouth Champ, an '82 Dodge Omni, an '86 Dodge Colt (Mitsubishi Mirage), two Mitsubishi Eclipses ('90 and '94), and a '92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV, which I later inherited. However, we never had the turbocharged "hot hatch" version of these vehicles, instead the higher-volume, higher-mileage, lower-cost, normally aspirated variants. I always wished my parents opted for the turbo versions of all of these (sans the Expo, which was available with a turbo overseas).

For example, the Plymouth Champ's twin was the Dodge Colt. The Colt GTS was available with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with the Twin-Stick (eight-speed) transmission. It put out 102 hp, but weighed about 1,800 lbs.

The Dodge Omni GLH, with its Shelby-tuned turbocharged 2.2-liter engine put down as much as 146 hp from the factory. And yes, GLH stood for "Goes Like Hell." This is probably the most iconic factory-turbocharged hot hatch of the '80s. There's still a rabid fanbase that tunes the crap out of them, making them crazy fast.

The next-generation Dodge Colt and Mitsubishi Mirage also got a turbo variant, as pictured above. The Colt GTS/Mirage Turbo featured classic angular '80s Japanese styling. It had 120 hp, and like the first Colt GTS I mentioned, is also a rarity to find in good condition. I totally want one.

I remember sitting in a 1990 Eclipse at the Minneapolis Auto Show in 1989. My dad, looking for a sporty car with four seats, decided this was going to be our family's next car. We got a GS (non-turbo 4G63) not the turbo GST, but it was a real head turner in Minnesota, and we had one of the first ones. The GS made 135 hp, while the FWD and AWD turbo versions put down 180-195 hp. Of course, these are still incredibly popular with tuners and racers.

The next generation Colt/Mirage also got a turbocharged engine: A 1.6-liter DOHC making 145 turbocharged (non-intercooled) horsepower. Being a DSM household, I remember these, and always thought they were awesome. I'd still rock one.

Although my family didn't have one of these, I always thought they were cool. The Suzuki-built Chevrolet Sprint turbo had a boosted and intercooled three-cylinder engine that made 70 hp and 79 ft./lbs. of torque. Car and Driver recorded 0-60 times of 8.7 seconds and a quarter mile ET of 16.7 at 79 mpg. Weight? Try 1,633 lbs. Another totally cool, totally wonky '80s hot hatch.

Perhaps one of the more elusive models was the Isuzu-built 1987-1988 Chevrolet Spectrum Turbo. I believe the 1.5 SOHC engine made around 110 hp-115 hp, but I haven't been able to confirm that. This car was also sold as the Isuzu I-Mark RS from 1988 to 1989, although in '89, the car offered a DOHC, normally aspirated engine instead of the turbo 1.5. There is a decent site for these vehicles at isuzone.org.

FUTURE SUBCOMPACT TURBOS
We've heard the rumors and seen the spy photos. Allegedly, there could be a return of the boosted subcompact market. There have been spy shots of an EcoBoost Ford Fiesta, talks of a turbocharged Chevrolet Aveo RS, and who know what else. I'd love to see a resurrection of this genre. Maybe we'll see a turbo Colt again? Maybe a spooling Suzuki Swift?

The Small Cars of the Gambler 500

Andy and I just attended Oregon’s Gambler 500. With approximately 500 miles of pavement pounding, dirt trail tackling, and rocky road wrestling—this navigational non-race two-day event was just plain crazy and awesome.

Agility, Parking, Fuel, and the Underdog: Why I Drive a Small Car

Our 2007 Toyota Yaris

Lately I've been asked by everyone from the media to auto manufacturer reps about why I started this site, and what I like so much about small cars.

Growing up, my family always owned at least one smaller vehicle: A Dodge Champ, a Dodge Omni, a Dodge Colt, a Mitsubishi Expo LRV—we always owned a smaller vehicle and a bigger vehicle. However, I remember my parents touting the fact the small cars were agile, easy to park, cheap to fuel, and "zippy."

North American Subcompacts: New models on the way ... and the holdouts

It's been great to see the influx of small cars that have come to North America over the last few years, allowing buyers a smaller vehicle option. It's also good that many of them appear to be selling fairly well. Plus, it's neat to see some manufacturers taking a chance on the U.S. subcompact car market.

Below are some of the subcompacts slated to hit the market in the not-so-distant future. However, there are a couple of hold-out brands/models, which haven't been brought stateside, and I'm not sure why.

ON THE WAY ...


Volkswagen Polo
VW has a long history in the U.S., and was the king of small cars for quite some time. However, VW hasn't offered anything smaller than the Golf since it stopped selling the Fox in 1994.

Volkswagen's most obvious choice for small cars in North America would be the Polo, and the vehicle is supposed to debut in America for 2010. The car will probably have a 1.4-liter engine making 110 hp, although the TDI diesel version would be awesome if it shows up. The Polo should come in three- and five-door variants, and will no doubt have a fantastic interior like other VWs.


Suzuki Swift
Suzuki is known worldwide as being a manufacturer of great small cars. And, as you've read here, a redesigned Suzuki Swift should be poised to enter the North American market as a 2011.

The current Swift, pictured above, is equipped with 1.2–1.6-liter engines. However, since we'll see a redesigned version, who knows what will be under the hood. Most likely, it'll be under 2.0 liters, since the SX4 already uses that mill. I'm really looking forward to this one.


Fiat 500
With the Chrysler/Fiat merger underway, we've heard the Fiat 500 will be U.S. bound—including the sporty Abarth version. This will also give Chrysler an entry in the subcompact world.

The standard 500 is available in other parts of the world with a 1.2-liter, 75 horsepower gas engine; a 1.3-liter, 73 horsepower diesel; or a 1.4-liter, 84 horsepower gas engine. The Abarth has a turbocharged 1.4 making 135 horses. The 500 should provide some intriguing competition to the MINI, too. I wonder if we'll get the 500C convertible pictured above?


Ford Fiesta
It's already well known that the Fiesta will here in 2011, which is great news. I've been able to drive a European version as part of the Fiesta Movement, and found it an excellent vehicle.

The big mystery is what to expect from the U.S.-spec cars. Will we get the 1.6-liter engine found in the Euro versions? Will the interiors be the class-leading spaces I experienced in the Fiesta Movement vehicles? What we do know is there will arrive in hatchback and sedan versions. We'll have to wait a few more months to get the official word on everything else, though.


Scion iQ
Based on the Toyota iQ, the Scion iQ should show up in the near future. It will probably have a 1.3- or 1.5-liter engine and provide excellent fuel economy. It should also provide a lot of competition to the Smart brand. Already on sale in Europe and Asia, the iQ offers seating for three, outstanding fuel economy, and a small footprint.

The big question with the iQ is whether it'll be offered in standard trim (aka Toyota iQ), or if it'll be gussied up to more closely resemble the iQ concept (pictured above) that had wide fenders, big wheels, and a plethora of "I look fast" parts. It will, hopefully, be able to breathe some new life into the Scion brand.


Chevrolet Viva
The Viva, seen here in a photo from Motortrend.com at the Nurburgring in Germany, is slated to replace the aging Aveo for 2011. There isn't a lot known about the Viva at this point. GM is claiming the Viva to be a serious competitor to the Ford Fiesta, and has alleged the car will be built in the U.S. We'll see.

... THE HOLDOUTS


Mitsubishi Colt
Mitsubishi started out in the U.S. offering small vehicles, including the Colt. Yet the company hasn't offered a subcompact since the Expo/Colt Vista/Summit Wagon, which disappeared in 1996.

In other parts of the world, Mitsubishi offers the Colt in a wide variety of trim levels including three- and five-door versions, to a convertible variant. Powertrains include a 1.1-liter three-cylinder making 74 horspower, a 1.3-liter making 94 horspower, and turbocharged 1.5-liter engine making between 147 and 161 horsepower, depending on the market.

I could see a three- and five-door version in the U.S. with either a non-turbo version of the 1.5 (4G15). Of course, I'd love to see the turbo Ralliart model here, but I'd be content with the non-turbo model. The U.S. is already familiar with the Ralliart name, and a Colt Ralliart would be sweet. Mitsubishi used to be a forefront in he hot-hatch market, and as a fan of their earlier products, I'd love to see it happen again. The Colt is the right size, looks great, and you'd think would drop right under the Lancer lineup in Mitsubishi dealerships.

Mitsubishi already gets credit for bringing the Lancer Evolution to the U.S, but you don't hear a lot about their other models. I think the Colt might be a great way to get some new blood into Mitsubishi dealers.


Mazda 2
Never mind ... the Mazda2 is headed to the states! (Click the link to the story).

There are several praise-worthy vehicles in the Mazda line, especially the 3. It's usually acclaimed as one of the better c-class, or compact cars, in its segment. However, there's nothing smaller than the 3 in the North American lineup.

Mazda could easily compete in the U.S. with its "2," also known as the Demio. Available in three- and five-door hatchbacks, as well as a four-door sedan, the 2/Demio shares a chassis with the Ford Fiesta (perhaps the reason why it's not here?). Available engines displace between 1.3–1.6 liters (including 1.4 and 1.6 diesel options) ranging from 74–108 horsepower.

I could see any of the bodystyles above brought to North America, and no doubt the larger-displacement engines installed. However, there might be some toes stepped on with the Fiesta—Ford still owns about a 13% share of Mazda.


Toyota bB (Scion xB)
Toyota took the U.S. market by storm in 2004 when it introduced the boxy Scion xB. When it was redesigned for 2008, instead of offering the Japanese domestic market version above, Toyota increased the xB's size in nearly every conceivable way—including fuel consumption.

With the current xB nearing the end of its lifecycle (assuming it only is offered for three model years, like the '04–'06 xB), I'd love to finally see the JDM bB sold as the xB. It's similar in size to the original xB, and has plenty of room. The JDM version is powered by either 1.3- or 1.5-liter engine.

With increased competition from Kia's Soul and Nissan's Cube, it only seem natural for Scion to spice things up again using the original recipe that brought the xB so much early success.

My Craigslist car list

If you're like me, you visit craigslist several times a day. While I often look for car parts, I always peruse the cars/trucks for sale area, too, even though I probably won't actually buy any of the cars anytime soon. But, I suppose if that one perfect car surfaced, I might take action—or at least see if I can find away to make it happen. So when I cruise craigslist, here are some of the vehicles I keep an eye out for.

Dodge Raider/Mitsubishi Montero 2DR
I had considered getting one of these instead of my Suzuki Sidekick. They're small, capable off road, and not terribly expensive. I'm told the V-6 is preferred, since it doesn't have the four cylinder's wonky carburetor.

Toyota Starlet
The rear-drive Starlet hatchback would be a lot of fun.Throw on some sticky tires, a taught suspension, a built 3TC or 4AGE engine, and boom: fun. I keep seeing the same few reappear here in the Portland area, and they look pretty beaten by the drift crowd.

Anything Daihatsu
Honestly, I'm not sure I really want to own  a Daihatsu Charade or Rocky. However, they're rare, and have have that odd factor going for them. I would, however, rock a 4WD Daihatsu kei truck with some nobby tires, which would be for off-highway use only.

Mitsubishi Expo LRV/Eagle Summit Wagon/Plymouth Colt Vista
The Expo LRV was my first ride. I still have a fantasy of getting a FWD version of these tall wagons and throwing in a 4G63 turbo engine from an Eclipse. Major sleeper potential with this one. They're rare, but come up regularly on craigslist.

 

Late '70s/early '80s RWD Toyota Corollas

I've dug these rides for a long time. While I really like the small two-door coupe, just about any of these rear-drive Toyotas would be cool. Again, built 3TC or 4AGE engine would be a hoot. Again, being RWD, lightweight, and popular with the drift crowd, they're had to find at good prices (or hard to find that haven't been beaten).

Mitsubishi Mirage Turbo/Dodge Colt GT
Here's another rarity, but unlike the Daihatsu, I'd own one of these. Really hard to find in the Pacific Northwest, and I'm guessing other parts of the country, too. I'd like the model above or the 1988-1996 version, too.

Chevrolet Sprint Turbo
Another real rarity on craigslist, especially in good shape. Described by Car and Driver as "The ultimate gridlock brawler," the Sprint turbo was made by Suzuki, sold by Chevrolet, and had a 1.0-liter turbo engine. Parts might be difficult, but I still dig 'em and would own one.

Suzuki Swift GT
I fell in love with these cars when they first came out in the 1990s, and swore I'd own one someday. Powered by a 1.3-liter DOHC four cylinder, it's a Geo Metro with more power, some better bodywork, and lots of cool subcompactness. There always seems to be one Swift GT or GTi on craiglist for whatever reason.