TELL someone that you've been driving a Mitsubishi Colt and the reply is usually something along the lines of 'Oh, right'.
Predictable really, because despite the car being completely redesigned it doesn't have that ritzy image of say a MINI, Ibiza, Jazz or Fiesta. And the very name Colt seems to date back through the mists of time.
It's only after you have been driving the Colt for a while that the penny drops - this is a small car that has everything.
The styling, with Mitsubishi's signature Jet Fighter grille, may be a bit quirky but the Colt remains a supremely practical model.
For instance, legroom for rear passengers is terrific even when the front seats are slid fully back, a centre rear passenger can be accommodated comfortably and there's headroom to spare.
Cubbies, mini-shelves and cup holders are everywhere, the dash layout is simple and easy to operate, the boot is split level and rear seats split and fold 60/40 for extra loading.
And for a starting price of £7,999 for a 1.1-litre petrol model you can add average mileage of more than 50 miles per gallon to the equation.
The ClearTec is the most exciting addition to the range though and is the Japanese company's answer to environmental concerns.
The plan is to eventually roll it out across the Mitsubishi range, but for now the technology graces just a single Colt model.
Based on the 1.3-litre CZ2 model, the ClearTec brings CO2 emissions down to 119g/km, which means annual road tax of £35, and can return an average 56.5 miles per gallon.
Key to it all is a Stop & Go system that automatically cuts out the engine when it would usually be wasting fuel idling at traffic lights or railway crossings.
The moment you depress the clutch and put the car back into gear the engine kicks back in. It sounds spooky but is absolutely reliable and something you quickly get used to.
Upshot is that through the use of revised engine components, altered final gear ratio, low rolling resistance tyres and reduced viscosity engine oil, the ClearTec achieves an extra eight mpg and appreciably lower emissions than a standard 1.3-litre Colt five-door - for an extra £500.
The car drives extremely well, has a fair amount of kick and visibility is excellent all round. On the negative side, the Colt's plastic interior panels and fascia feel cheap and brittle, but there's plenty of kit.
The likes of CD player with remote audio controls, electric windows, air-con, 16-inch alloys, cruise control and heated electric door mirrors are included on all-bar entry level.
And all models feature safety technology like Emergency Stop signal system and 'coming home' lights.
FAST FACTS
Mitsubishi Colt 1.3 CZ2 ClearTec 5dr
Price: £10,099
Mechanical: 94bhp, 1,332cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 10.6 seconds
Combined mpg: 56.5
Insurance group: 5
CO2 emissions: 119g/km
BiK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage