What are they?
Mitsubishi CZ2 and CZ3 Tarmac
What's special about them?
"(A) casually stylish yet street-chic urban compact...the CZ2 will be the smart choice for all-around value and all-day fun." That's what Mitsubishi says about the CZ2 concept vehicle shown at the 2002 Geneva auto show. Both it and the sportier CZ3 Tarmac are designed to appeal to a wide range of city drivers who need functional yet stylish vehicles. Based on our cursory examination, we think these concepts could translate well to production.
Mitsubishi characterizes the CZ2's styling as "radically street-chic yet comfortably laid-back." It features a roomy, plush four-passenger interior highlighted by a futuristic "waveform" dashboard. Lots of storage space is included, such as a lunch box in the luggage compartment and removable door trim bags. The glass roof has a quartered, adjustable sunlight control design so that each passenger can adjust tinting to his or her preference. Also on board are an MP3 player docking station and an LCD monitor with Internet and e-mail access. Power comes from a 1.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing mated to a CVT transmission.
The more aggressive and sportier CZ3 Tarmac "will delight everyone from demanding performance purists to sporty city drivers," says Mitsubishi. Taking several cues from rally cars, the CZ3 Tarmac features a unique shifter and four-point seatbelts. A 1.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine drives all four wheels through a CVT transmission. The full-time 4WD includes an ACD (active center differential) and AYC (active yaw control). The CZ3 Tarmac also gets the same infotainment access as the CZ2.
Why should you care?
Small cars like these are popular in Europe and ought to be in the more congested North American cities, as well. These two concepts are attractive and contain some interesting ideas that are likely to find their way to future Mitsubishi products. — Christian J. Wardlaw
Mitsubishi CZ2 and CZ3 Tarmac
What's special about them?
"(A) casually stylish yet street-chic urban compact...the CZ2 will be the smart choice for all-around value and all-day fun." That's what Mitsubishi says about the CZ2 concept vehicle shown at the 2002 Geneva auto show. Both it and the sportier CZ3 Tarmac are designed to appeal to a wide range of city drivers who need functional yet stylish vehicles. Based on our cursory examination, we think these concepts could translate well to production.
Mitsubishi characterizes the CZ2's styling as "radically street-chic yet comfortably laid-back." It features a roomy, plush four-passenger interior highlighted by a futuristic "waveform" dashboard. Lots of storage space is included, such as a lunch box in the luggage compartment and removable door trim bags. The glass roof has a quartered, adjustable sunlight control design so that each passenger can adjust tinting to his or her preference. Also on board are an MP3 player docking station and an LCD monitor with Internet and e-mail access. Power comes from a 1.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing mated to a CVT transmission.
The more aggressive and sportier CZ3 Tarmac "will delight everyone from demanding performance purists to sporty city drivers," says Mitsubishi. Taking several cues from rally cars, the CZ3 Tarmac features a unique shifter and four-point seatbelts. A 1.5-liter turbocharged and intercooled GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine drives all four wheels through a CVT transmission. The full-time 4WD includes an ACD (active center differential) and AYC (active yaw control). The CZ3 Tarmac also gets the same infotainment access as the CZ2.
Why should you care?
Small cars like these are popular in Europe and ought to be in the more congested North American cities, as well. These two concepts are attractive and contain some interesting ideas that are likely to find their way to future Mitsubishi products. — Christian J. Wardlaw
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