An overhauled Astra debuted at the 2006 Bologna motor show featuring new front and tail-light lenses, new front bumpers and extra chrome grille detailing. A new 132kW 1.6-litre turbo engine, revised 85kW 1.6-litre Twinport engine and two new 1.7-litre CDTi turbo-diesels have been added.

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SsangYong's all-new Actyon Sports dual-cab five-seater ute replaces the Musso utility from around February 2007. All Actyon models will be powered by either an 110kW/214Nm 2.3-litre petrol engine or a 104kW/310Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, mated to manual and auto transmissions.

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BMW's fourth-generation 3 Series convertible - and the first to offer a folding hard-top roof, thanks to which BMW joins the coupe-convertible craze for the first time - appears at the 2007 Detroit show in January and will make its Aussie debut at the Brisbane motor show in February.

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Porsche will finally up the ante of its super-SUV in March, when Cayenne offers more power from its V8 and V8 turbo engines, plus the option of a sub-$100,000 V6 version ($94,700) for the first time. Wrapped in a cosmetically revised body, the facelifted Cayenne will offer direct-injection 4.8-litre V8s.

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BMW's hotly-anticipated second-generation X5 is expected to go on sale in Australia by mid to late April 2007 following its Melbourne motor show debut. The new model promises more power and torque for all three engines and an even stronger body with space for up to seven.

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SsangYong revealed its Actyon twins, including the Actyon Sports ute, at the 2006 Sydney motor show ahead of their release around March 2007. The compact Actyon five-door SUV will be aimed directly at the likes of Toyota’s RAV4 when it joins its larger Kyron sibling on sale here.

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