21 Jan 05
Specific modifications to the CZT include stiffer suspension settings with retuned spring rates, stiffer shock absorbers and stiffer mountings for the front anti-roll bar, a steering ratio quickened by 8 percent, larger front brake discs and stability control and traction control fitted as standard. Its bodyshell is a little more rigid than that of the other three-door Colts, with extra reinforcement and bracing, and it has wider tyres on 16-inch alloy wheels.
Further visual signifiers are a chunkier front bumper with mesh grilles, small side air dams, a dinky tailgate-mounted rear spoiler, dark grey metallic headlamp bezels, colour-keyed door handles, mirrors and side protection strips and a larger-bore exhaust; inside, there are white-backed instrument dials, a red and black steering wheel, red/black upholstery, seats with extra bolstering and aluminium pedals. It's all quite subtle, in line with the warm-not-hot philosophy - too subtle for boy racers and Max Power readers, but sensibly restrained enough not to frighten away the older, more conservative buyers who are most likely to make up the Colt constituency.
The CZT's not very frightening at all, really: besides its chubby, friendly looks - a little bit Alfa 147, a little bit Seat Ibiza from the rear, especially in the bright red of our test cars - it is relatively benign and user-friendly. Under very hard or poorly-judged cornering the traction and stability control kicks in quite early to stop things getting too far out of hand, and although there is the sense that the rear end could drift free if you got it very badly wrong, it's not a car that would bite back. It's predictable and obedient, inspiring confidence without egging on the incompetent to believe that they're the next Gilles Panizzi. You don't lose the feeling, however, that this is a high-roofed, mini-MPV-style car in which you sit quite high off the ground, despite the good control of body roll and excellent balance.
