Lotus will launch its fastest ever convertible – the Exige S Roadster - in early 2014. Based on the Exige S Coupe, the Roadster uses the same Toyota-sourced 3.5-litre supercharged V6, pumping out 257.5kW of power and 400Nm of torque for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.0 seconds.

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Italian sports-car brand Maserati will launch its next-generation larger, yet lighter Quattroporte in the third quarter of the year with a new entry-level V6 model to kick off the range. A 390kW 3.8-litre V8 will be the flagship but it is the 301kW 3.0-litre V6 with a 5.1 second 0-100km/h sprint time that is getting all the attention.

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Audi has added a 425-litre boot to its third-generation A3 hatch range. The A3 sedan was unveiled at the New York motor show in 2013 and is likely to be a big seller in China and the US. A hot 2.0-litre turbo S3 version will follow later in 2014.

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Maserati's six-generation Quattroporte is set to arrive down under in January, along with its top-spec GTS. Powered by a twin-turbo V8, the Maserati is set to take on the likes of Porsche's Panamera and the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG.

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Formerly known as the G sedan, the Q50 will boost Japanese premium brand Infiniti’s presence in Australia when it launches locally in late 2013. The BMW 3 Series competitor will be available with a choice of either a 244kW 3.7-litre Nissan V6 or a petrol-electric hybrid combining a 3.5-litre V6 and an electric motor pumping out a combined output of 263kW.

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Kia’s mid-size Optima gets a minor mid-life update in late 2013 but any cosmetic changes are hard to pick. Cabin styling updates and the addition of more infotainment and active safety options will keep the handsome sedan going for a few more years, while the possibility of a 204kW 2.0-litre turbo engine should keep Kia fans excited.

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It may have lost its local sales crown to the Toyota Corolla in 2013, but the Mazda3 will be in fight-back mode when it arrives in January. More refined than the model it replaces, the 2014 Mazda3 features a completely new exterior and interior design based on the Kodo design language, SkyActiv drivetrains and suspension that is tuned for local conditions.

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