There’s something special about a new car which is more than just a mild mid-life revamp of one we’ve got used to seeing around us in the gridlock.

And during the coming year, Ireland’s motor buffs will have a series of treats in this respect, to drool over, discuss, and maybe even deal on.

Toyota’s replacement Corolla (above) is a brand new look and foundation for the world’s best-selling car. Very different from the soft styles of recent Corollas, Toyota is now clearly heading for a youth market which may well have its perception of blandness about this model turned askew.

Toyota also officially introduces its new Camry here soon, and again there’s a big shift from dull to dramatic beauty. A new all-aluminium 2.4-litre engine replaces the 2.2-litre four which has been the entry motor up to now.

Fiat’s Stilo, here in January 2002, is replacement for the Bravo/Brava which hasn’t been as popular in Ireland as it deserved to be. Stilo, two bodies with one name, is make or break for the brand in a segment dominated by Ford’s Focus and Opel’s Astra. Fiat are laying particular emphasis on what they claim will be class-leading interiors and specifications in communication and lifestyle innovation.

Hyundai’s new Coupe will be with us soon, and on what we saw at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it is stylistically set to significantly upgrade a car which has brought sexy sportiness to a mass-market buyership. Always value for money, the new one is likely to add a lot of quality to the mix.

Honda’s Jazz, also to come in January, is one of the most important launches for Honda on this side of the world. It will give the marque its first real contender in a market dominated by Ford's Fiesta and VW's Polo. As well as accommodation for up to five occupants, Jazz will have 1.2- and 1.4-litre engine options, with low emissions and frugality.

BMW’s totally new 7-Series, to be launched in Ireland at Easter, could push the marque right to the top of the premium segment of the market. It sets new benchmarks in a blend of luxury limousine and sporty coupé and is powered by brand new V8 engines. Comfort and communication functions are housed in a new control and display concept, a dash-mounted monitor and a large aluminium knob located at the front-end of the centre armrest.

Opel’s next version of the Vectra, to be shown at Geneva in March and going on sale immediately afterwards, will be launched as a four-door saloon and five-door hatchback and with new four-cylinder petrol engines. A new integrated electronics system, intelligent Electronic Climate Control with air quality sensor, a wide range of communication and entertainment systems, eight-way adjustable front seats, rain sensor and park-pilot are all featured.

Nissan’s new generation Primera, coming to Ireland in mid-2002, will completely change the perceived profile of a car which has gained much favouritism with Irish motorists. The interior is a quantum leap ahead of anything Nissan has ever produced. A key feature is a centralised instrument display, with dials angled towards the driver, and a large LCD screen. It will have revised versions of the 1.6- and 1.8-litre engines which have powered recent Primeras, and a new 140bhp 2-litre petrol engine comes with a choice of 6-speed manual or the Nissan CVT-M6 automatic.

Citroen’s new Fiesta-challenger, the C3, will come to us in the spring of next year. It slots into the range between the Saxo and the Xsara and will have a wide-range of safety equipment, and multiplex electrics of the same type as those of the Citroën C5 which make possible such functions as electronic parking assistance, automatic front windscreen wipers, a ‘black panel’ function and automatic hazard warning.

Volkswagen’s latest Polo, on sale in spring of next year, will be available in 3- and 5-door bodystyles. The entry-level petrol option is a new 1.2-litre three-cylinder 65bhp, while the 1.4-litre 75bhp unit from the existing range will also be available in five-speed manual or four-speed automatic guise. Two diesel engines are carried over from the current line-up: the 1.9-litre 64 bhp SDI and the three-cylinder 1.4-litre 75bhp TDI PD. Four trim levels - E, S, SE and Sport - will be available.

Among the most eagerly awaited new cars is the latest version of the Ford Fiesta, which we saw unveiled at Frankfurt but which won’t be with us in Ireland until the second half of next year. The new Fiesta is bigger, with a total new concept in style from its predecessor line that was born a quarter of a century ago. It is particularly roomy in the rear, and the interior finish may well bring the segment a substantial way forward in this respect.

Other goodies will include a new version of the Land Rover Discovery, a butched-up Range Rover aimed at the US SUV market, a new Mercedes-Benz Class, and a new Audi A3. A new concept for Volkswagen, the D1 luxury car, will also make its first appearance towards the end of next year. The car will have a total of five engines including the world’s most powerful passenger car diesel unit, a 5-litre V10 TDI producing 313 bhp, and two petrol engines: a 3.2-litre 241 bhp V6 and a 6-litre 420 bhp W12.

In all, 2002 promises more new motormetal than we can decently hope to drive.