THREE Vantage versions of the Bloxham-built Aston Martin DB7 - now the most successful Aston Martin of all time - will be displayed at this year's Geneva Motor Show from March 2 to 12. Production of the 3,000th DB7 - a Vantage Volante with automatic transmission and Touchtronic electronic control - has just been completed, placing the total DB7 production ahead of the combined production of the world-famous DB5 and DB6 models.

Top coupe

THE Ford Puma was voted best coupe in the inaugural BBC Top Gear Awards. Brian Wade, Ford's brand manager for small cars, said: "We are delighted by this award - recognition such as this supports our long-held view that the Puma is an excellent car."

Trio of offers

Spanish car-maker SEAT is starting its 50th anniversary celebrations with a trio of customer offers. Buyers of the Alhambra people carrier will receive £1,000 cashback, those who buy a Toledo will have the car's servicing paid for three years, while Arosa buyers can take advantage of various zero or low rate finance schemes.

Force with Volvo

Police forces nationwide will shortly be testing the new police specification Volvo V70, which is due to go on trial shortly after it goes on sale in Volvo showrooms in March. Oxfordshire Ambulance Service recently took delivery of four special Volvo V90 ambulances.

Fares please

Ferry firm Stena Line is introducing a new fare structure on its services to Ireland from Holyhead and Fishguard this year. The Liberty fares are based on people booking early for cheaper fares. During the peak season, people booking crossings now will get the cheapest fares - once the cheapest allocation is sold for each sailing, the fare rises to a higher level. Stena says by booking early, customers can save as much as £140 on the equivalent 1999 peak summer fare.

Story date: Wednesday 16 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.