Mazda will respond to an influx of new compact SUV models in 2013 by shoe-horning the more powerful 2.5-litre SkyActiv-G engine from its Mazda6 into the CX-5. The 2.5-litre unit will be available in petrol all-wheel drive models and is expected to be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It will deliver 25kW more power than the 2.0-litre unit with an output of 138kW/250Nm.

read more about the Mazda CX-5

Now under the guardianship of the Fiat Chrysler Group Australia, Alfa Romeo will expand its line-up in 2013, starting with a more affordable version of its stylish Giulietta small car. The Giulietta will be repositioned as a Volkswagen Golf rival and Alfa will finally offer a sub-$30,000 entry-level variant.

read more about the Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Opel’s performance arm, OPC, will expand its presence in Australia with the launch of a hotted-up version of its Corsa light car, following the Astra OPC to market in March. The three-door Corsa hot hatch gets a tweaked version of GM’s 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine pumping out 141kW of power and 60Nm of torque, and will battle the Volkswagen Polo GTI and Skoda Fabia RS.

read more about the Opel Corsa

Mini’s Paceman ‘Sports Activity Vehicle’ will land in March with two petrol-powered variants only, the Cooper and Cooper S. The Paceman is a sporty three-door version of the Countryman SUV on which it is based and will start at around $35,000 for the Cooper 1.6-litre turbo, while the Cooper S will get a more powerful version of the same engine for around $44,000.

read more about the Mini Paceman

In response to the old Exige S falling foul of emissions regulations in some markets, Lotus re-enginered and redesigned the hardcore sportscar to take the 327kW 3.5-litre V6 from its larger Evora S stablemate. The result is one of the quickest production Lotus road cars ever, capable of 0-100km/h in a supercar-troubling 3.8 seconds. Entry to Australia is subject to ADR approval.

read more about the Lotus Exige

The Opel Insignia will get the OPC treatment in March 2013 with the German brand’s mid-sized contender getting Holden’s hot 2.8-litre turbocharged V6 engine. The sporty Insignia will produce 239kW of power and 435Nm of torque and can sprint to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. Expect pricing to be north of $50,000.

read more about the Opel Insignia

Mercedes-Benz's low-slung three-door front-drive hatchback concept from the 2011 Shanghai showl previewed its third-generation A-class and is expected to morph into a legitimate rival for sporty European compacts such as Audi’s A3 and the BMW 1 Series. The cabin is expected to take a significant step upmarket with an all-new design that borrows components from the C-class.

read more about the Mercedes-Benz A-class

Porsche’s next generation Cayman will fill a gap left in the German car-maker’s line-up since the demise of the 987 Cayman in April 2012. The compact sports car will be powered by the same two six-cylinder 2.7-litre and 3.4-litre engines as the Boxster convertible on which it is based.

read more about the Porsche Cayman