VAUXHALL has added air conditioning to the Vectra's growing list of standard equipment. Only the base level Envoy misses out on the enhancement, while the LS gets air conditioning in lieu of a sunroof and GLS models and above get both. The option previously cost an extra £250 on the LS and £350 on the GLS.

Although the offer only applies to VAT-registered companies, retail customers also benefit from the introduction of standard air conditioning on the GLS. The 1998 model year move follows last year's decision to fit TrafficMaster as standard and the launch package of ABS across the range.

Renault, Citroen and Mazda all offer air conditioning as standard on their upper medium contenders, but the remainder - including Ford - only offer it in lieu of a sunroof or charge extra for fitting it on lower spec models.

Other changes introduced on Vectras built from this week onwards include the resurrection of the CD trim level to fit between the GLS and CDX designations and increased option availability right across the range. Fleet customers can now specify an item of optional equipment with any trim derivative and, for £600 more than the GLS, specify the new CD, which comes with wooden trim, electric rear windows, additional lighting and a leather steering wheel.