Volvo's hottest ever model, the S60R, does on sale Down Under in December 2003. Released alongside its V70R wagon sibling (priced at $102,950), the S60R sedan costs $98,950. Volvo’s first attempt at a genuine sports sedan, the S60R features a 220kW turbo engine, active suspension and better brakes.

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Renault's curvy Megane hatch hits Aussie roads in December, opening with the $25,990 five-door 1.6 Authentique, which misses the alloys and climate in the $31,990 Dynamique, which in turn skips the 17-inch alloys and leather in the $34,990 Dynamique LX. The three-door Sport is $33,990. Autos add $2200.

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On sale in Australia from December, Nissan's all-new Maxima luxury sedan features a new, more stylish bodyshell on an all-new platform, plus more safety, more equipment, better suspension, new interior and more grunt from a detuned 170kW version of the 350Z's 3.5 V6. Pricing from $40,000.

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