FIAT and Alfa Romeo have raised prices by an average 1.1% across the board - although the recently-launched Alfa 156 is unaffected. The increase coincides with the introduction of a new 82bhp 1.2 version of the Punto to replace the 75; alloy wheels on the Punto 85 ELX; and air conditioning as standard on the Ulysse.

Sample prices: Fiat - Cinquecento S £6,767 (£6,646), Punto 85 SX 5-dr £10,119 (75 SX £9,827), Brava TD100 SX 5-dr £13,542 (£13,525), Marea TD100 SX £14,042 (£13,812), Ulysse 1.9 TD S £18,092 (£18,057).

Alfa Romeo - 145 Cloverleaf £16,557 (£16,245), 146ti £17,037 (£16,858), GTV 2.0 16v £21,919 (£21,687), 156 1.8 T.Spark £17,572, 156 2.5 V6 24v £22,231.