FIAT'S first serious upper medium fleet contender is set to go on sale in both saloon and estate form next month.

The Italian car-maker hopes the Marea and Marea Weekend will build upon its growing reputation for producing keenly-priced cars with both driver appeal, reliability and reasonable residual values. The newcomers complete Fiat's rejuvenation of its range, which started with the arrival of the Cinquecento and continued with the Punto, Bravo/Brava and Coupe.

Both variants will be available with three petrol engines, three turbodiesels and three trim levels - amounting to a comprehensive range of vehicles to suit most fleet policies.