Caught at a promotional photo-shoot in Berlin, Germany, the 2009 Mitsubishi Colt is clearly sporting the current generation Lancer’s distinctive shark-nose treatment up front (those neat lines having been penned by Aussie designer Peter Arcadipane), with similar Lancer-style taillights out back. Not a bad thing in my book.
As manufacturers increasingly look to distinguish themselves from each other, it’s becoming increasingly common for their models to share a design template for improved brand cohesion and awareness.
Reports indicate that the 2009 model Colt is set to debut at this year’s Paris Motor Show. It will be interesting to see how the new front end beefs up the looks on the more sporting Colt offerings - I think it will work a treat.
What do you think guys and girls? Is it a smart move to share visuals between models or does it remove too much of a car’s individuality?
[Source: CarScoop]





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I think in general it is a good move to share (more-or-less) the same design across a whole model range, especially for parts availability, but in this case it’s too chunky and ‘korean’ in shape. The current ralliart colt has a tightly styled body and would look good with the lancer front, imho..
I think it’s a good move to have a corporate face a la BMW’s kidney grille, Merc’s distinctive grille and Audi etc. It does create better brand awareness that’s for sure.
It’ll be interesting to see a Pajero with the ’shark nose’ though.
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Looks much better that the current colt!
I’m a fan of the revised nose myself.
A Pajero is an interesting idea DC, In my head it doesn’t quite work.
The only problem I see is that the sides are now too boring compared for the rest of the car- let’s see a nice looking side skirt to jazz it up a bit!
I am a big fan of the new Lancer front, gives it that agressive front that they used to have on old Galants and to an extent on the Legnums. The rear however, I don’t like. Even on the Lancer, I feel the rear tailights just aren’t agressive at all which is a big shame, particularly in the case of the EVO.. a car which should look angry!
Agreed. The rear end styling is a bit of a let down given how much work went into the front (Evo especially).
OMG!
When do we get that?? That new front end would look sick as on the Ralliart Colt.
I like the new Lancer’s front end design, & think the rear end is very Alfa Romeo in the tail light treatment. As for the photos of the proposed 09′Colt with Lancer influenced grille, mmm I dont think it fits with the Colt body design at all-the tailights are also an unhappy combination.
If this is the work of a professional auto stylist, I do hope they are’nt paying them too much…