AIR-conditioning and a six-CD autochanger will be fitted as standard in the new Peugeot 406 range of saloon and estate cars which will make its official debut at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show on March 11-21. Fleet operators will be able to see the car, which has been restyled by Pininfarina, at the 1999 Fleet Show at the NEC, Birmingham, on April 27-29.

Pininfarina has given the 406 more pronounced bonnet contour lines and smooth elongated headlights, along with a curved boot lid and new light clusters at the rear. The facelift includes more than 1,000 engineering changes including improved safety levels with ABS and combined Electronic Brake Force Distributors fitted as standard.

The new 406 also sees the launch of Peugeot's lighter more efficient engines, the first of which is a 1,997cc capacity, 16-valve petrol engine with a power output of 137bhp at 6,000rpm, and the second a 2.0-litre, 90bhp common rail direct injection diesel, joining the current 110bhp HDI. Prices have yet to be announced for the new 406 which goes on sale here in April.