A record number of new car variants have been introduced during the first four months of 2009, according to by CAP.

It said there were 1,487 new car variants added to its books in the first four months of the year.

April saw 653 new car variants added to CAP’s databases - the highest number for a single month.

This unprecedented level of new car variant activity is largely being driven by manufacturers’ attempts to offer ‘cleaner’ cars, according to CAP experts.