PEUGEOT has released details of the 406 estate which goes on sale in the UK in February, a year after the launch of the 406 saloon. In just seven months the five-engine, five-spec level 406 saloon has established itself as the eleventh best-selling fleet car in 1996 and boosted Peugeot fleet sales by 17.7% this year.

The estate is expected to further boost fleet business and will be launched hard on the heels of the Vauxhall Vectra estate and revamped Ford Mondeo estate.

Fleets will have a choice of 18 different versions in five trim levels plus a seven-seater 'family version', and with a choice of six engines reflecting the saloon line-up and including the new 3.0-litre 24v V6 engine. Fleets are expected to buy around 70% of 406 estates which will be badged L, LX, GLX, Executive and V6 with the 'family version' at L and LX level featuring a special rear facing twin seat which folds away into the floor. The 1.8 LX is expected to be the volume seller.

The estate is 17cms longer than the saloon and has 1.74cu metres of loadspace, second only to the Renault Laguna. It features semi-built-in tailgate lights, while two types rear seat are available - a single-piece rear seat with both cushion and backrest that fold down to give a completely flat load floor and a 40/60 split seat.

Peugeot has also announced details of the 406 coupe which will arrive in the UK in the spring as well as details of the V6 and automatic saloons, both of which will be launched in the UK late this year.