And a luxury new year

Motoring editor ALASTAIR SLOANE takes a look at what vehicle enthusiasts can expect over the next 12 months.

Carmakers agree: next year's new models offer an exciting blend of luxury and mainstream. The best from Mercedes-Benz and BMW will share the road with an all-American pick-up truck from Ford, a convertible from Holden, four-wheel-drive sedan from Mitsubishi, a new Camry from Toyota and a Polo from Volkswagen.

Some carmakers are not saying what models they will launch next year. Others admit all. Briefly, here's an indication of what new-car buyers in New Zealand can pretty much expect next year.

ALFA ROMEO: Main focus will be on high-performance GTA versions of the 156 sedan and sportwagon, powered by V6 engines. Expect a couple of limited-edition models of the standard 156. Supply of 147 hatchbacks should free up.

AUDI: Big year for the A4, firstly with the arrival in numbers of the 2.4-litre engine and later the Avant stationwagon and convertible.

BMW: All eyes on new Mini Cooper and Cooper S and the flagship 7-Series. Facelifted 3-Series, including new common-rail diesel engine, and perhaps a high-performance Schnitzer version of the two-door Compact. M3 convertible will be available on special order.

CITROEN: Supply of C5 wagon to come on stream in first few months. The cute C3, spiritual successor to the 2CV, due in August.

FIAT: Hatchback Stilo might be accompanied by a motorsport variant, called the Abarth.

FORD: High-performance T-series Falcons, F-Series trucks from America, updated Falcon later in year.

HOLDEN: Showcase year, with Monaro coupe and HSV version of same; all-new Vectra; convertible Astra, SRi Astra; 1.8-litre SRi Barina; updated Commodore towards Christmas.

HONDA: Small-car Fit, Japan Car of the Year, might be rebadged Jazz or City when it gets here mid-year.

HYUNDAI: Looking at revitalising range. Expect new small car. Arrival of new coupe and four-wheel-drive V6 Terracan will depend on strength of New Zealand dollar.

JAGUAR: First front-drive model due, powered by small V6. Expect supercharged S-Type R later in year.

LAND ROVER: Third-generation Range Rover on sale June 1. It is longer, taller, heavier and slightly narrower than the present model. It is also more luxurious.

MAZDA: Special-edition MX-5 roadster in February; all-new 6 series sedan, hatch and wagon later in year.

MERCEDES-BENZ: Big year for inventor of the car. C-Class diesel models early in year, followed by launch of the SL 500 sportscar and new E-Class, said to be a cross between the C-Class and flagship S-Class in looks.

MITSUBISHI: Will say only that 2002 will be an important year. Its importance will centre around a made-in-Australia, four-wheel-drive version of the Diamante sedan.

NISSAN: New Navara commercial range in February. Long-awaited Z-car might make it here in time for Christmas.

PEUGEOT: Consolidating supply of 307, the 2001 European Car of the Year. Expect a stationwagon variant of 307 later in year.

PORSCHE: Next year's models of 911 and Boxster have been on show here for some weeks. Demonstration model of much-talked-about four-wheel-drive Cayenne expected in December.

RENAULT: Kicks off year with new Clio. Laguna range gets four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines to complement V6.

SAAB: All-new, longer wheelbase 9-3 expected later in year, along with boosted four-cylinder engines.

SUBARU: All-new, all-wheel-drive Forester due mid-year. Legacy, Impreza and Outback get minor updates around October.

SUZUKI: Expect hatchback Liana and its 1.6-litre engine around May. Also revised version of the wagon R Plus.

TOYOTA: Big event is new Camry with bigger, more powerful engine options. There is talk that a supercharged variant of an existing model might be released to celebrate Toyota's entry into Formula One at the Melbourne Grand Prix in March. Also rumours about the new "soft-road" Highlander, bigger than RAV4, smaller than Prado.

VOLKSWAGEN: All-new Polo around May, followed by W8 Passat, powered by two narrow-angle V8 engines that, when joined by a common crankshaft, resemble a "W". Get it? Rest of the range gets facelift. Demonstration four-wheel-drive Colorado, a joint development with Porsche Cayenne, might make it here to lure buyers around Christmas. Santa might also turn up with the first convertible Beetle.

VOLVO: Starts year by displaying the prototype AAV (All Activity Vehicle) at the ocean-race village in Auckland. The production version of the AAV is called the XC90 and should arrive in December. Meantime, two four-wheel-drive sedans and wagons will go on sale - the S60R and V70R.