A MORE powerful, more carbon dioxide efficient 3.0-litre petrol engine has been introduced to the Peugeot 406 range. The six-cylinder unit will also be offered in Peugeot's executive challenger the 607, due to be launched in June.

The new 406 V6, which costs £25 more on-the-road than its predecessor, produces 13.5% less CO2, down from 260g/km to 229g/km. This moves it down from the maximum 35% of list price for benefit-in-kind charge to 32% in the CO2-based bands currently proposed for company car taxation from April, 2002. While power output leaps over the 200bhp barrier, from 194 to 210bhp, along with a minor torque increase, fuel consumption has improved.

Carbon dioxide emissions, power and economy improvements are also claimed for a new automatic gearbox for 2.0-litre petrol Peugeot 406 saloon, estate and coupe models. Again with a £25 premium over its predecessor, the auto-adaptive four-speed transmission helps reduce CO2 output by 12.6% to 206g/km (30% of list price for BIK charge).