RENAULT has extended the new car price war from the upper medium sector to the executive segment as it fights to increase its market share. The manufacturer, which stunned the industry with launch pricing of the Laguna, has announced it is adding air conditioning to 75% of the upper medium sector model range without increasing the class-leading prices. And it has cut up to £6,000 off its revamped executive level Safrane, which goes on sale on November 29, making it competitive with some upper medium contenders.

On-the-road prices for the new Safrane are: 2.0 16v, £18,635; 2.0 16v automatic, £19,585; 2.0 16v Executive, £20,235 (£255 less than the equivalent from the previous range); 2.0 16v Executive automatic, £21,185; 2.5 20v Executive automatic, £23,035 (£5,780 less than the previous equivalent).

The new Megane saloon is also expected to carry a price tag which will worry the budget end of the market.