We're not sure what manner of strings were pulled, but the boys at Nihon Car and Bike joined the Japanese press on a test drive of the new Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version-R in Japan's drift-happy Hakone region. The new Mitsu is a little car with a stiff chassis, a 154-hp MIVEC engine and an eye on the Honda Civic Type-Rs of the world. Enjoy the trip; it cost them three license points. [Thanks to Mr. Bender for the tip.]

Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version-R Preview, HDTV [Nihon Car and Bike]

Related:
Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Version-R [internal]