A trinity of new models arrives on the Irish market this year, all with one thing in common.
They are dedicated to giving more space within compact dimensions. Make way then for the Daewoo Rexton, an SUV that has styling by Giugiaro of Italy, with full leather upholstery as standard and seating for seven through a third row of seats.
Rexton is set to take over from the bulky but ever so muscular Musso. Like the Musso, it has the Mercedes-Benz developed 2.9 litre turbodiesel engine developing 118 bhp. A Borg Warner transfer arrangement allows drivers to "shift on the fly" (i.e., move from two-wheel-drive to four-wheel-drive and back again).
There's no price yet for the Rexton: it will be announced closer to the launch next month. Gerard O'Toole, executive chairman of Daewoo Ireland sees it as a "confidence-restoring vehicle" now that the uncertainties about Daewoo's future appear to be at end and it is part of the General Motors empire.
Mazda's Premacy has been around before, but the 2002 workover brings enhancements to the interior, suspension, safety and refinement.
The biggest news is a new 2.0 litre 130 bhp petrol engine, joining the existing family of 1.8 petrol and 2.0 litre turbodiesel units. The new-look Premacy goes on sale in Irish and European markets in the last quarter of this year.
Long before then, we will see the Peugeot 206SW. That SW appellation may seem a little familiar: it was applied to the bigger 307 sibling. Peugeot sees the 206SW as an amalgam of ideas and their people describe it as a vehicle the size of a town saloon with the character and performance of a sports car and the functionality of an estate.
The sporting look is enhanced by having rear door handles which are set into the pillars, an idea cleverly pioneered on the Alfa Romeo 156. Although a saloon, the appearance is more coupé-like.
Peugeot says that the SW's range of engines will be identical to that of the saloon. The 206SW arrives here "in the forthcoming weeks" and final specifications and prices will be announced then.
We have mentioned three new arrivals from Daewoo, Mazda and Peugeot but all three manufacturers have much more in store.
Mazda in particular, is set to shine again, particularly as it is getting a greater starring role within the Ford organisation which controls it.
The new 6, successor to the 626, is winning much acclaim and it will be the marque's most important launch this year.
The 6 will form the basis for the next generation of Mondeo in five or six years time.