It's amazing how much we love convertibles. For a windswept, rain-sodden island, we simply can't get enough of them.

They've picked up sales enormously in recent years. One of the reasons being that modern cabriolets tend to be hardtops with metal roofs which fold away at the touch of a button.

You might imagine that such technology isn't cheap, and you'd be right, but prices are coming down as competition hots up. Nissan, Vauxhall, Volvo, Renault and Peugeot are already established in this market and now you can add Mitsubishi to the list.

The company best known for 4x4s is making its debut in the open-top market with a car which seems to tick all the right boxes.

It's well priced, well-built and well-positioned. At £13,999 for the entry-level model, it's just a little more expensive than the MINI One convertible and about the same as Nissan Micra C+C.

It's true Mitsubishi's aims are modest. They want to sell 1,000 a year of the new model split 65-35 between the £13,999 model and the turbocharged £15,999 version.

Both versions come with twin airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, air conditioning, central locking, alloy wheels and six-speaker MP3-compatible stereo system. The turbocharged model, the CZC Turbo, adds black leather trim, heated seats, sports suspension, uprated brakes and larger wheels.

The result is a well specified couple of models which are among the sportiest and sexiest on the market.

The traditional Colt is essentially a spacious, sharply-styled hatchback which has a lot to commend it.

It is, however, only a 2+2 (the rear seats aren't up to much) and it does have some blind spots, but those are minor distractions for those wanting wind-in-the-hair motoring. The Colt becomes even more competitive when you consider it will be, for most families, a second or third car.

Two variants of the CZC are offered, and both come with a 1.5-litre engine only one is turbocharged. Producing 107bhp and 147bhp respectively, the latter engine is fitted to a hot version complete with a subtle sports trim and suspension.

This is a little unusual. Most convertibles of this ilk are good-lookers but they're far from sporty.

In reality the non-turbo CZC will be the bigger seller due to its more affordable price tag, but the Turbo is good fun to punt around and rarely feels compromised by the roof's extra weight and the predictable, but slight, loss in chassis stiffness.

Granted, this Colt is not going to win many friends in the passenger carrying stakes, as the car's rear seats are only really suitable for small children. However, the CZC's boot with the roof up will swallow the weekly shopping and then some. Roof down your loading space is restricted, but a pair of overnight bags fit easily below the retractable cover.

PRICE: £15,999. The CZC 1.5 costs £13,999.

ENGINE: A 1.5 litre turbo petrol unit developing 147bhp.

PERFORMANCE: Top speed 126mph, 0 to 60 in 8.4 seconds.

COSTS: 39.8mpg.

EMISSIONS: 168g/km.

WARRANTY: Three years unlimited mileage.

INSURANCE: Group 14 for the cheaper model. The Turbo has yet to be decided.

All T&A road test vehicles are independently selected and assessments are carried out impartially by members of our own staff who base their opinions only on the vehicle supplied for these purposes by the manufacturer.