HELPING to make motoring life loads better in 2008 are two people/cargo carriers from Cadillac and Citroen.

The first Wagon, or small estate, model in Cadillac's illustrious history has just gone on sale in Britain.

The BLS Wagon gets an impressive choice of six engines, a 1.9-litre diesel in two power levels and four punchy petrols, from 2.0-litres to 2.8-litres in size.

Every model comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, and either a five-speed, or six-speed, automatic transmission can also be had on every version, depending on model.

Aimed at the luxury small estate car market, every BLS Wagon gets a very comprehensive specification, simply because there is just the one trim level.

Of this, Jonathan Nash, Cadillac UK's director, said: "We looked at what UK consumers would expect from a Cadillac, and then added all the equipment to match those expectations - as standard. This enabled us to rationalise the specification levels from three down to just one - Elegance."

Every BLS, both Wagon and saloon versions, has leather trim, powered and heated front seats, a Bose Surround Sound 11-speaker audio system, a DVD sat-nav, hands-free Bluetooth phone system, dual zone climate control, cruise control, park distance sensors, and electronic dynamic stability control.

This move, with £4,000-worth of luxury kit as standard, is intended to attract business and fleet buyers, and given that the 177 horsepower diesel and the 2.0-litre FlexPower petrol - a bioethanol burner - engines have competitive benefit-in-kind tax advantages.

Mr Nash said Cadillac has also done away with the traditional price premiums.

"Cadillac BLS buyers can enjoy diesel power for the same price as petrol, and Wagon body style for the same price as the saloon," he points out.

"The 2008 Cadillac BLS line-up, with its distinctive styling and relative exclusivity, will be a uniquely persuasive proposition to drivers and will enable us to grow the brand steadily, as part of the long-term journey for Cadillac in the UK" said Mr Nash.

Citroën, meanwhile, has introduced the Lounge, a special four-seater edition of its multi-award-winning C4 Picasso.

The Lounge has been created specially for the UK market, and is full of exclusive equipment - such as full black leather upholstery for the four large individual armchair style seats, chrome wheels, and a panoramic sunroof.

The bodywork is in black, and comes with a sporty rear spoiler and special chrome grille, and the Lounge is fitted with a responsive 2.0-litre diesel engine, mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Top speed of the C4 Picasso Lounge is 118mph, and it returns close to 40mpg on the combined fuel cycle.

Based on the Exclusive trim, this new model sells for £23,995, and alongside the four chairs, that each get adjustable head and armrests, there are laminated windows to reduce road noise and enhance the sound quality of the Philips-designed audio system.

It also gets state-of-the-art flat-panel speaker technology to produce a clearer sound.

The C4 Picasso Lounge is also equipped with LEDs in the door handles and adjustable mood lighting strips in the front console and door panels, and the driver gets many functions on the steering wheel.

Other driver assistance includes cruise control, speed limiter, front and rear parking sensors, automatic digital air conditioning, and rain-sensitive wipers and automatic headlights.

It's worth remembering, too, that the C4 Picasso Lounge's seven-seater stablemate has been awarded a maximum five-star protection rating by Euro NCAP, and is fitted with the latest Citroën safety technology, including seven airbags.