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Audi TTS
Audi's TT gets serious with the arrival of the 200kW/350Nm TTS quattro version that will transport you from zero to 100km/h in a dizzying 5.2 seconds if you buy the six-speed S-tronic transmission coupe version, a little more if you opt for manual six-speed transmission and a little more again if you specify the Roadster. Yes, this is the quickest TT yet, and you'll be able to buy it for less than a Porsche Boxster/Cayman with a pricetag a little below $100,000. Expect 18-inch wheels and plenty of visual clues to its identity as the hottest TT on the block.

Holden Epica
Holden's Korean-sourced Epica has hardly fluttered the curtains at rival car-makers, which shouldn't come as too much of surprise given the mid-size Camry challenger stems from as far back as the year 2000. Porsche-developed transverse six-cylinder engines and keen pricing have not been enough to convince many buyers to look outside Toyota, although the package looked good enough on paper. A new four-cylinder turbodiesel at a premium of $2000 over the 2.5-litre petrol six (the 2.0-litre version has gone) will help -- especially as no competitors other than the Hyundai Sonata CRDi offer a similar deal. Oh, and there's a six-speed auto, a tilt-reach steering column and a few minor cosmetic changes to herald the diesel's arrival as well.

Holden Colorado
Holden has re-named its long-familiar LCV range, apparently because the rights have reverted to Isuzu, once the tradie's local wing of the Fishermen's Bend organization. Other than the introduction of a new range-topper badged LT-R and a few price adjustments that take into account standard aircon, the Colorado range is essentially the same as Rodeo. Apparently there are a few minor styling changes as well, including new front guards, front and rear styling and a new bonnet for turbodiesel version, while some trim revisions define the Colorado's interiors.

Honda Jazz 
Honda wheels out its new Jazz light car at the end of the month with a new body and plenty of new features including stability control and six airbags that are fitted as standard on the top model. Apart from its new look, the micro Honda MPV offers a surprisingly capacious interior with improved functionality and paddle-shift auto transmission at the top of the range.

Mercedes-Benz CLC
The small Benz coupe re emerges as the CLC in August, with a revised two-door body that significantly freshens a model that has been around since it arrived here as the C180 Coupe in 2001. 1100 or so new parts have been created to make the CLC, which is powered locally by the supercharged 1.8-litre Kompressor engine driving through a five-speed auto or a six-speed manual and available in three trim levels: 200k, 200K Evolution and 200K Evolution +, with prices beginning at a touch under $50,000 and topping out at not much below $60,000.

Peugeot 308 Touring
The spacious but compact Peugeot goes on sale during August and comes to Australia with standard equipment that includes the giant panoramic glass sunroof seen at the Melbourne International Motor Show earlier this year. The Peugeot wagon will offer a seven-seat option, and will be available with the normally aspirated and turbo 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre turbodiesels seen in the 308 hatch that's been on sale here since February.

RenaultSport Clio 197
Yes, the new Clio RenaultSport is finally with us in August with the usual hot Clio formula of non-turbo engine, razor-sharp handling and a compact package that probably lives up to the mini hotshot brief better than the Cooper S. 145kW, a remarkable 215Nm of torque and a new six-speed manual transmission allow it to reach 100km/h from zero in 6.9 seconds, while 17-inch wheels, Brembo brakes and a functional, F1 style rear diffuser all add up to a car that should maintain the legendary status of its predecessor.

Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki's off-road ready Grand Vitara gets a significant boost with the arrival of an all-new 2.4-litre VVT engine to replace the existing 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre engines, as well as the inclusion of ESP stability control and six airbags across the entire Grand Vitara range. The new engine is not only cleaner than the outgoing four-cylinder engines, but suggestions are that it is a class-leader, in terms of economy as well. The Grand Vitara stays with the recently-introduced 1.9-litre turbodiesel and continues offering V6 petrol.

VW Passat R36
We've never seen a fat Passat in Australia, but that changes with the local arrival of the 220kW 3.6-litre R36 version that debuts in August to join the other R models in the range -- R32 Golf and R50 Touareg. The engine is the biggest version of the long-familiar narrow-angle V6 and, with the help of VW's dual-clutch DSG transmission and 4Motion all-wheel drive, catapults the largish Passat to 100km/h from zero in a thoroughly indecent 5.6 seconds. The ballistic Passat comes with 18-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, wheel arch extensions and deeper door sills and is available as a wagon (with a roof spoiler) as well.

SEPTEMBER 2008
Dodge Journey
Hyundai Sonata
Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift 
Mercedes-Benz B-Class facelift 
MINI JCW
Peugeot 308CC
Porsche Carrera 2 and Carrera 2 S
Saab 9-3
Skoda Octavia
Subaru Impreza sedan

OCTOBER 2008
Alfa Romeo Junior
Audi Q5
Audi RS 6 Avant
Cadillac CTS
Citroen C4 sedan
Citroen C5
Fiat 500 Abarth
Fiat Punto Abarth
Fiat Punto upgrade
Ford Mondeo wagon
Land Rover Defender
Lexus IS-F
Mercedes-Benz GLK
Mercedes-Benz ML facelift 
Renault Koleos SUV
Renault Laguna estate
Volkswagen Passat CC
Volvo XC60

NOVEMBER 2008
Audi S3 three-door
Kia Picanto
Kia Magentis
Mercedes-Benz CL63
Peugeot 107
Porsche Carrera 4 and 4S

DECEMBER 2008
TBA

2009
Q1
Alfa 149   
Audi A1
Chery A1
Chery A5
Chery Tiggo
Nissan GT-R
Fiat SUV
Fiat 500 convertible

Q2
Alfa Romeo 149
Citroen C5 MkII
Ford Ka
Alfa Romeo 169

Q3
TBA

Q4
Citroen C3 MkII

2010
Mini Crossman
Audi TT Speedster
BMW City
Audi Q3
Fiat Ritmo Wagon
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz SL
Kia Cee'd

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