MITSUBISHI is planning to be Europe's first manufacturer to offer route guidance as standard in a family car. The breakthrough move will be made when the Dutch-built MGX hatchback is introduced at the end of this year.

Designed as an all-activity car for two adults and three children, the five-door model will feature an innovative central data display area which has a multi-function computer, RDS radio, satellite navigation system and in-car entertainment centre. The sophisticated gadgetry will also be the first to boast a dual purpose CD player which is able to operate CD-Rom mapping for route finding as well as play normal music disks. It will give guidance via an LCD colour screen as well as computer-generated female voice.

In Britain, the as yet unnamed MGX is expected to play a significant role in lifting registrations to the 40,000 level by 2001. Built at the NedCar plant jointly operated with Volvo, the car will have 1.3 and 1.8-litre engines. To be previewed at next week's Geneva Motor Show and launched at Paris in September, it will be sold only as a Mitsubishi.