Nissan will bring its iconic Pulsar nameplate back to Australia in early 2013, with a hatch variant to follow the sedan into showrooms shortly after. The Pulsar’s design is reminiscent of the larger Altima sedan and Nissan hopes the reborn Pulsar will reignite sales after the poor performance of the generally unloved Tiida.

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The Shanghai Automotive Industry Association (SAIC) is the latest Chinese car-maker to confirm an Australian berth and will arrive on our shores with a fleet of vans. The LDV V80 range will feature turbo-diesel engines and come in a range of cargo and passenger variants.

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The fourth generation of Subaru Australia’s best selling car, the Forester SUV, launches with a new set of engines including a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol to power the top-spec XT and a non-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that will most likely power an entry-level variant. The styling of the new Forester brings it into line with the mid-size Liberty/Outback twins, Impreza and XV.

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The original design theme for the Cruze wagon was done by Holden designer Lee Mitchell in parallel with the five-door Cruze hatch at Holden’s Port Melbourne studios is highly likely to go into production at Holden’s Elizabeth plant in South Australia.

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Mitsubishi latest stab at the light car segment will come in the form of the Thai-built Mirage in January. Mitsubishi will target budget-conscious drivers with prices starting at a $12,990 for the entry level ES, just $500 more than the Nissan Micra. The reborn Mirage will be powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine that sips 4.6 litres of petrol per 100km in manual guise.

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The 2013 Land Rover Discovery will arrive in Australia with minor price increases across the range but more equipment and better performance. The entry-level TDV6 replaces the old 2.7-litre diesel unit with a new 3.0-litre engine that produces 15kW more power yet reduces its fuel consumption by 17 per cent.

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