PEUGEOT'S all-new 206 - the long-awaited replacement for the 205 which established itself as an icon and the spiritual leader of the marque - could become the French manufacturer's best-selling UK model next year. Sales are expected to total 60,000 units - about 3% of the UK market - with fleets buying about 30%.

And while the 306 will remain the marque's best-selling fleet model, Peugeot is predicting total sales of the new 206 and existing 306 will be virtually identical next year. The car goes on sale in the UK on November 5 and at launch more than 600 206 demonstrators will be made available to fleets.

To accommodate the car, Peugeot has realigned both its 106 and 306 ranges and is confident that the new model will take business away from the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio and anticipates 106 and 306 buyers will migrate towards the 206. With prices ranging from £8,495 on the road for the three-door 1.1 206 L up to £11,295 for the five-door 1.6 206 GLX with air conditioning the new car fits exactly where the legendary 205 was in the Peugeot range.