LEASING rates for the new Peugeot 406 estate put it head to head with the competition from Ford and Vauxhall. The French newcomer is within a few pounds per month of the Mondeo and Vectra across the range according to figures from four leading leasing companies.

Prices for the estate start at £14,940 for the 1.8L, rising to £24,590 for the 3.0 Executive. Big sellers are expected to be the 1.8 petrol (£15,900) and 1.9 diesel (£16,610) LX models and the 2.0 GLX version (£18,090).

Composite contract hire rates based on an average of figures from Swan National, AT&T, Appleyard Vehicle Contracts and Mann Egerton Vehicle Contracts put the 406 between the Mondeo and Vectra.