Proton exhibited its new-generation three-door Satria hatch at the 2006 Sydney motor show. On sale from February priced from around $17,990, the new Satria is the last of the company’s first wave of "self-designed" cars, following the Gen.2 and Savvy. Expect an 82kW/148Nm 1.6-litre DOHC four.

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Toyota's first ever V6 Tarago arrives on sale here in February 2007. The 3.5-litre V6 develops 206kW at 6200rpm and 344Nm at 4700rpm and is mated to a newly developed six-speed sequential automatic. Vehicle stability control will be standard but expect even higher pricing than the four-cylinder Tarago.

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The sleek S80 arrives in February with models ranging from the six-speed manual D5 diesel and topping out at the AWD V8. The Yamaha-sourced V8 develops 235kW/440Nm and is mated to a six-speed automatic. The 2.4-litre D5 diesel, also shared with the XC90, develops 136kW/400Nm in the S80.

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Suzuki will launch a new small SX4 crossover vehicle, which is designed to fit between the Swift and Grand Vitara, at the 2007 Brisbane motor show. SX should come in two and all-wheel drive, and with the biggest petrol engine available - a 106kW 2.0-litre petrol four mated to 5M and 4A gearboxes.

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