The new Euro IV Kyron is the first facelift for the mid-range SsangYong SUV since its 2006 launch. A number of major changes had been adopted to deliver a significantly better SUV, including a cleaner-burning, more driveable engine and a raft of styling, trim and specification improvements.

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The three-box sedan version of Suzuki’s SX4 hatch has been confirmed on sale in Australia in the third quarter. The front-drive SX4 sedan is powered by a 92kW 1.6-litre VVT four-cylinder engine - instead of the SX4 AWD hatch’s 107kW/184Nm 2.0-litre engine. Expect pricing from around $20,000.

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Kia has upgraded its sportage model range with the addition of a front-drive LX model adopting a 2.0-litre 104kW four-cylinder petrol engine and an EX CRDi AWD variant with a new 2.0-litre common-rail direct-injection turbo-diesel delivering 103kW/304Nm. The 129KW 2.7-litre V6 4x4 is unchanged.

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THE new Mazda2 is set for a Geneva motor show debut in March and may hit our shores by end of 2007. Gone is the dumpy bread-van styling of the current car, replaced with an edgy hatch design with European influences. Reports also suggest that Mazda will offer a wagon-style Mazda2 model. Expect the engines to remain the same.

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An all-new Impreza hatch is due to appear from Subaru Down Under by October 2007. It will be followed by a redesigned sedan, both of which will introduce a new European-inspired design language that moves away from the polarising US-oriented styling themes of the Tribeca SUV.

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Holden's redesigned VE Commodore utility is expected to surface about a year after the relase of the all-new short-wheelbase VE and long-wheelbase WM sedans in August and September 2006 respectively. Expect specs, including the VE's new IRS, to echo the new Commodore sedan's.

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Mitsubishi showed its new-generation Lancer sedan at the 2006 Detroit show in January, ahead of an Australian debut later in 2007. The new Lancer will be built on the "project global" platform that also underpins the Outlander. Engines could include a diesel and a 81kW 1.5-litre petrol four.

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