CITROEN has added new cars and made some minor cosmetic changes to the Saxo range, along with some price realignments. For the first time Citroen is offering the option of automatic transmission with a 1.4-litre petrol engine in the Saxo, and this model will replace the 1.6 auto.

The 1.4 auto is available in both three- and five-door versions, is more fuel efficient than the outgoing 1.6 auto, and costs £610 less. Across the range the 1998 Saxo gets a new corporate grille with larger Citroen chevrons and there are minor revisions inside. Sporty VTR and VTS versions get distinctive blue dials for the driver instrumentation, colour-coded door mirrors and - like the rest of the range - a key-mounted transponder immobiliser.

The VSX trim is replaced by new Exclusive models with extra trim without any increase in price. Sample prices (old prices in brackets): Saxo 1.1 SX 3-dr £8,980 (£8,935), 1.4 SX auto 3-dr £10,400, 1.6 VTS 3-dr £13,020 (£13,000), 1.4 SX 5-dr £10,045 (£10,000), 1.4 SX auto 5-dr £10,820, 1.5D SX 5-dr £10,210 (£10,165).