Hyundai executive car launched with Tiptronic transmission

Hyundai launches its new XG30 executive saloon this month at £20,999. The specification includes four airbags, leather interior, cruise control, climate control, Tiptronic-style automatic transmission plus all the expected features. Power comes from a 3-litre, 192bhp V6 engine.

Peugeot is introducing a British-built van derivative of the 206, based on the 3dr hatchback body. Cargo capacity is sacrificed for stylish looks, but the van has a payload of 525kg. The 1.9 diesel is £8,000.

Subaru will cut the entry price of its face-lifted Forester 4x4 when it goes on sale at the end of the month. The new 2.0 AWD will be £15,950, £1,000 less than its identically equipped predecessor. The higher specification All-Weather version is reduced by £300, to £18,750, while the S-Turbo remains at £21,750.

Citroen has incorporated its extra-value Forte models into the standard model range. Fortes start with the £7,795 Saxo 1.1, with CD player, sunroof and 'funky' interior - all five safety belts are a different colour. The Xsara starts at £9,995, with aircon and ABS, and the range rises through to the Xantia, priced from £12,995.

Deliveries of the revised Mercedes-Benz SLK begin shortly. The entry level 200 Kompressor is £26,390, bringing the car into a cheaper market, and now just £3,400 more than a 2-litre Z3. The SLK230, at £30,190, is £1,450 cheaper than before, but automatic transmission is now an optional extra. The second new SLK, the 320 V6, comes in at £33,640.

Daewoo is throwing in free aircon for the next 500 buyers of the £6,595 Matiz SE. Normally a £400 option, one year's free insurance is also included. Zero per cent finance is offered on all other Daewoos, with the opportunity on Lanos, Nubira and Leganza to take free insurance instead.

Mazda is launching the first of what will probably be a raft of MX-5 special editions. At £19,200, the Icon is a range-topping package, with deep red paintwork, oatmeal leather interior and six-speed transmission. It is the same price as the lower-specced 1.8S.