TWO family cars to watch for in coming months are the Toyota Corolla Verso, a compact multi purpose vehicle, and the Mitsubishi Colt.

First up is the larger of the two, the seven-seater Verso, out in May, which makes its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Every new model tries to offer something a little bit different, and the Verso's party piece is the five rear seats, which fold flat into the floor to create a level cargo area. The beauty of this is that it avoids the awkward, time-consuming and often knuckle grazing operation of having to remove seats from the car, and then finding somewhere to keep them out of harm's way..

Toyota says the action of dropping those chairs is also much easier than in any other rival, requiring just a single operation for each one.

When it comes to looks, the car has distinct upper and lower sections. The lower part is influenced by robust sports utility vehicles, reflected in the prominent wheel arches, substantial rocker panels and deep front bumper, and grille integrated with the front bumper into a single part, while the top half gives the car a dynamic stance, characterised by the curving roof line and angled C-pillar with rear quarter-light.

Designed in the South of France, and specifically to appeal to European tastes, the Corolla Verso will be built at Toyota's plant at Adapazari in Turkey, which also produces Corolla saloons and estates.

Details of UK specification, trim grades and engine options will be announced nearer the on-sale date.

Mitsubishi, which has been fairly quiet of late, will be shouting news of its new Colt from the rooftops.

Like the Verso, it will be seen first at Geneva, and the supermini-sized motor is the first vehicle born of the Mitsubishi DaimlerChrysler alliance. It, too, goes on sale from May, and will feature three new petrol engines - of 1.1-litre, 1.3-litre and 1.5- litre - and a new 1.5 litre diesel.

The petrol engines are Japanese designed, but built in Germany, while the diesel comes from the Daimler/Chrysler warehouse. All are matched to either manual or automatic-manual gearboxes.

Created from Mitsubishi's CZ2 concept, which appeared on the show circuit in 2001, the Colt is taller than most hatchbacks, combining with the long wheelbase and wide track to produce a roomy, comfortable cabin.

The Colt's rear seats offer flexibility, too, 60/40 split, sliding, reclining, folding, tumbling and even removable.

Safety features will provide driver and passenger airbags, as well side and curtain airbags. Active safety includes anti-lock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution.

Although interior specification points still need to be spelled out in detail by Mitsubishi, there is a six-disc CD player as well as a power point in the boot.

The car is being built at the firm's Born, Netherlands, plant, alongside smart's "forfour" supermini, which shares the same mechanical platform. Again, prices and detailed specification will be put out nearer the launch date.

Updated: 11:20 Friday, February 13, 2004