STANDARD equipment levels on most Peugeot 406 variants have been raised for the 2001 model year, effective from Tuesday, July 4. Prices remain the same on the entry L specification, starting from £14,320 on-the-road, but the gains are front fog lights, side airbags, trip computer and electric door mirrors.

Small price rises - around £60 - have been announced for LX, GLX, GTX and Coupe, but Peugeot says the extras more than outweigh the on-the-road increases. LX, from £15,395, gains side airbags, trip computer, electric rear windows and front armrests; GLX, starting at £16,595, gets electrically operated front seats, trip computer and front armrests; GTX, from £17,895, now has a six-disc boot-mounted CD autochanger and electrochromatic dipping rear view mirror; and 406 Coupe, from £20,900, receives grained, instead of perforated, leather upholstery. Executive and V6 models remain unchanged.

LX-trim has also been used as the base for a new special edition 406 model which offers a saving of more than £1,000 as well as extra equipment. Rapier-badged saloons and estates, with the choice of 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0-litre HDI 90bhp diesel engines, feature digital air-conditioning, side airbags, rear electric windows, a trip computer, Sebring sports trim, leather covered steering wheel, chrome Coupe-style instrument surround and 15-inch alloy wheels. On-the-road prices are: 1.8 saloon £14,995, 2.0 HDi saloon £15,895, 1.8 estate £15,995, 2.0 HDi estate £16,895.