CITROEN has slashed UK prices in the wake of a price realignment by sister company Peugeot last week. Prices have been cut across the range, with the exception of Synergie models and the £5,995 Saxo First.

Sales to private buyers have doubled in the last two months to 13,000, but the list price cut should make Citroens more attractive to company car drivers with the promise of lower benefit-in-kind tax. Reductions range from £300 on Saxo Desire models to £1,220 on the Xsara Picasso 2.0 HDi SX, and cashback offers include £500 on the Saxo and Berlingo, up to £1,500 on the Synergie.

The Xantia, which will be replaced next year by the new C5, is now available from £11,995 plus £1,000 cashback for the 1.8i Forte. Cashback will still be available to small fleet buyers, but all cashback offers are only applicable until March 31.

Sample prices (old price in brackets): Saxo 1.6i VTR (£10,950) £9,995, Picasso 1.6i SX (£14,325) £13,495, Picasso 2.0 HDi SX (£15,715) £14,495, Xsara 1.4i L (£10,295) £9,695, Xsara 1.6i LX (£11,495) £10,895, Xsara 2.0 HDi SX (£13,995) £13,395, Xantia 1.8i Forte (£12,995) £11,995, Xantia 2.0 HDi LX (£16,790) £15,790, Xantia 2.0 HDi SX (£17,815) £16,815.