Audi

The fast-growing German brand will start off the year by adding automatic versions of the TT 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TDI from about March.

The second quarter will see just five examples of the R8 GT Spyder available for wealthy customers wanting to feel the wind through their hair at high speed.

The third quarter will herald the arrival of three sporty new models; the S6 sedan, S7 Sportback and S8. All three cars are powered by the same all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 but in two different states of tune.

The S6 and S7 use a 309kW/550Nm version coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The bigger S8 gets a more powerful 383kw/650Nm output and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

All three cars sportier design touches including a lower ride height, new bumpers and grilles and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Bentley

The Continental GTC Convertible will arrive in March, just in time to escape the heat of summer. The open-air cruiser packs a 6.0-litre W12 that pumps out 423kW and 700Nm mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

July will see the introduction of the much-anticipated Continental GT V8. Designed to cut the company’s CO2 emissions and fuel consumption figure, the new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is shared with the Audi S6, S7 Sportback and S8.The new engine is good for 373kW and 660Nm, so while it may cut fuel use it shouldn’t be slow.

BMW

Arriving February is the manic new M5 sedan. The high-performance saloon packs a new 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 412kW/680Nm and is available only with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

The big sedan covers the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.4 seconds, and is expected to be priced at about $240,000.

BMW will join the four-door “coupe” segment in mid-year 2012 with the new 6-Series Gran Coupe. It will compete against the likes of similarly swoopy German rivals such as Mercedes-Benz’s CLS and Audi’s A7, when it arrives in the third quarter of 2012, sitting alongside BMW’s two-door 6-Series coupe and convertible models with an expected starting price of at least $175,000.

The 6-Series Gran Coupe will be available in three trim levels: the 640i, which is powered by a six-cylinder turbo engine producing 235kW/450Nm; the 650i, with a 330kW/650Nm twin-turbo V8; and the 640d, which gets a six-cylinder twin-turbo diesel producing 230kW/630Nm, however it is not yet confirmed for Australia.

The 6-Series two-door coupe and convertible will receive a halo “M” model, the M6, late in 2012. It’s expected to be powered by a 4.4-litre twin turbocharged V8 pumping out 412kW/680Nm.

Chrysler

The new version of the gansta-style 300C sedan will be headlined by the new SRT8. Powered by a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 the range-topping 300C will have its sights set on snatching sales from HSV and FPV.

Ferrari

The radical four-seat, four-wheel-drive FF arrives in January, priced from a cool $625,000 plus on-road costs. Powered by a 6.3-litre, 486kW V12, the FF is designed to offer fans of the Prancing Horse a more practical alternative to the brand’s hard-edged sports cars.

Ferrari describes it as “a decisive break with the past”, and says the combination of more space, added practicality and four-wheel-drive traction will appeal to buyers who want to use their Ferrari every day.

The FF will be followed in June by the Spider version of the stunning 458 Italia. The Spider is more performance-focused than the grand tourer California, and will come with a price tag of about $600,000.

At about the same time the California is expected to get an engine and transmission upgrade that will bring it in line with the 458. The California currently has a 4.3-litre V8 putting out 338kW, while the 458 has a 4.5-litre V8 putting out 425kW.

Production of the 599 finished a couple of months ago so there could be a new model unveiled at the Geneva motor show early next year. It would be unlikely to reach our shores before the end of next year, though.

FPV

A fresh-faced FPV range makes its debut alongside the restyled Falcon FG Mark II early next year, but otherwise Ford's go-fast division is keeping its plans well and truly under wraps.

The update introduces styling tweaks to bring the brand more in line with the Mondeo-esque "kinetic" signature that's creeping across the entire Ford brand. Apart from the cosmetic changes on the outside, expect a touch-screen control panel, and on upmarket models, a "green route" calculator for the satellite navigation system.

Turning back the clock may give a few small clues as to what to expect on the limited-edition front this year - 2012 marks the 45th anniversary of the XR Falcon GT, so an anniversary showpiece could be in the works.

HSV

The performance arm of Holden typically plays its cards extremely close to its chest, so no admissions from the maker of a range of Commodore-based V8s on what may – or may not – be arriving.

But with the brand gearing up to celebrate its 25th anniversary there’s little doubt there will be some popping of champagne corks that will involve a range of limited edition models.

No word on whether a new engine will arrive with the special editions, though, although our spies tell us it’s unlikely. While the power of the HSV V8 engines hasn’t changed much in recent years, those of its main rival, FPV, have with the addition of a supercharged V8.

HSV is also working on a supercharged engine, although best guesses have it arriving in 2013. Still, HSV has been a global leader with the introduction of new technologies (consumer-friendly data logging being the most obvious) so it would be fair to assume there could be something in the wings when it comes to the wow factor.

Hyundai

February marks the start of an important year for the Korean car maker with the arrival of the funky Veloster three-door coupe in February.

It's a bit like the Mini Clubman, in that it has a rear-opening suicide door on the driver's side to give access to the rear seats. It won't have the fireball under the bonnet to match the looks, as it's likely to use the already familiar 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to either a six-speed auto or manual gearbox.

It's not confirmed yet, but 2012 could just herald the introduction of the Veloster wearing a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. It could add the sparkle under the bonnet to back up the svelte lines of the compact coupe.

Jaguar

March will see the launch of Jaguar's XKR-S Convertible.

Powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine producing 405kW of power and 680Nm of torque, the drop-top version of the XKR-S matches the manic performance of coupe version with a 0-100km/h time of just 4.4 seconds.

Jaguar presumably opted for a soft top rather than a folding metal roof to save weight. The roof opens and closes in 18 seconds, and the overall impact on the car's kerb weight is just 42 kilograms. Jaguar claims that despite losing its roof, the XKR-S is "the stiffest car in its class" thanks to its lightweight aluminium architecture.

Along with chopping off the roof, Jaguar has made a number of adjustments to the underpinnings. The drop-top XKR-S gets revised front and rear suspension that Jaguar claims "means increased agility, precision and control without sacrificing comfort".

It also receives a revised stability control system that "allows the enthusiastic driver to safely exploit the exhilarating handling".

Jeep

It’ll only sell in small numbers but the Grand Cherokee SRT8 will give the Jeep brand a new hero model when it arrives in March.

It will use the same 347kW/630Nm 6.4-litre Hemi V8 found in the Chrysler 300C SRT8, making it a bahnstormer, at least in a straight line.

Lamborghini

With its $754,000 Aventador flagship supercar in full swing, the House of the Raging Bull will continue to set fans’ tongues wagging with two more editions of its Gallardo ‘entry level’ supercar.

Priced from $451,800 (plus on-road and dealer costs), the rear-wheel-drive Gallardo LP550-2 Spyder – Italian speak for convertible – arrives in March some $63,000 less than its all-paw sibling, the LP560-4.

Arriving around the same time will be “the most extreme Gallardo ever” – the track-focused LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale.

Priced between $580,000 and $590,000 (before on-road costs), the final Gallardo derivative will also be the ageing model’s most expensive and exclusive, with only 150 examples built.

The 1340kg Super Trofeo features a race-style aerodynamics package including a huge adjustable carbon-fibre rear spoiler and quick-release removable engine cover and is powered by an unchanged 419kW/540Nm 5.2-litre V10.

Lotus

Lotus’s supercharged Evora S will get a new Serial Precision Shift (SPS) automatic transmission with paddle shifters in the first quarter of the year.

A self-shifting version of the Elise will also arrive next year, while in the third quarter the Exige V6 lands Down Under with a supercharged V6 putting out 257kW and capable of launching the car from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds.

Australia has also put up its hand for the 327kW Evora GTE, and that could conceivably make it here before the end of the year.

Maserati

The GranCabrio Sport arrives this month. It uses a more powerful and more fuel efficient version of the 4.7-litre V8 in the standard car, with power rising to 331kW and torque to 510Nm.

The car’s transmission and suspension have also been fettled to improve performance, while exterior styling cues give it a more aggressive appearance. 

A new version of the Quattroporte sedan should arrive in Europe towards the end of the year, but won’t make it here until 2013.

Mercedes-Benz

Benz’s first model out of the gate is the drop-top version of the SLS AMG flagship this month.

The SLS AMG Roadster eschews the Gullwing’s unique top-hinged doors for conventional items and a canvas roof and is powered by the same 420kW/650Nm 6.2-litre V8. Despite carrying a 40kg weight penalty, the Roadster matches the Gullwing’s 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds.

Priced from $487,500 (plus on-road and dealer costs), the SLS Roadster is $18,680 more expensive than the Gullwing.

More AMG models will follow with the SLK55 AMG Roadster (March) and the exclusive C63 AMG Black Series Coupe (from $245,000), which has already sold out before it arrives in April.

Mercedes-Benz’s “fastest-ever C-Class” dashes from 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds (0.3 seconds faster than the ‘standard’ C63 Coupe) courtesy of a 380kW/620Nm 6.2-litre V8 – up by 44kW and 20Nm.

The new M-Class SUV’s top-end ML63 AMG performance variant will arrive featuring the performance arm’s latest 386kW/700Nm 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8, which is claimed to be almost 30 per cent more efficient than the current model’s naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8.

Mini

Mini will introduce a pair of new models in February. The Mini Coupe and Mini Roadster – not to be confused with the Mini Cooper and Mini Cabriolet – boast slightly more slippery styling and are aimed more at the performance-focused end of the market.

The “helmet-head” coupe will be priced at $42,990 in Cooper S guise, powered by a 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder producing 135kW and 260Nm. A John Cooper Works version is also due to debut, expected to be priced about $50,000.

The Roadster version is due on sale at the same time and while pricing isn’t yet confirmed, you should expect it to cost at least $2000 more than the Coupe in both Cooper S and JCW guises.

Nissan

The brand’s performance car hero, the GT-R, will receive another yearly update around March. This time around, the GT-R will gain more power (again!), with the 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6 now good for 405kW and 632Nm of torque (up from 390kW/612Nm).

A few interior updates will also appear, including an upgraded stereo and revised instrument cluster.

Opel

The newly-formed local arm of General Motors German brand is also keen to secure the Astra GTC – a turbocharged three-door performance model - as a “hero” car for its launch around August, but is yet to lock it in.

Porsche

It’s a big year for Porsche, with the arrival in March of the new generation 911, codenamed 991.

The all-new 911 – it’s the biggest ever change to the iconic model – will initially be offered as the Carrera and Carrera S coupes.

Price rises in the order of 3 to 4 per cent over the soon-to-be-superseded 997 models will be offset by the addition of a fuel-saving stop-start system and other fuel management technology, plus the company's first seven-speed manual gearbox and increased use of lightweight aluminium panels.

The drop-top version of the 991 911 arrives one month later, in April, but the halo 911 Turbo model won't arrive for at least another year.

An all-new Boxster convertible will break cover internationally in January and is expected here in the second half of the year. Expect a similarly dramatic change to what occurred with the new 911, although the styling will continue in the same vein. 

However, the Cayman - a coupe version of the Boxster – is unlikely to be refreshed until 2013 at the earliest.

Porsche also expects to roll out the range-topping GTS version of its four-door sedan, the Panamera, in April.

Skoda

The Czech brand’s new hot hatch will launch in the second quarter.

The Fabia vRS is powered by the same 1.4-litre supercharged and turbocharged engine that powers the Polo GTI.

The 132kW engine will be matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. Skoda says it will sprint from 0-100km/h in a lively 7.3 seconds.

Subaru

The biggest news in 2012 for Subaru is the arrival of the BRZ, the brand’s first ground-up sports car (as opposed to regular car made to go fast) in more than a decade.

Jointly developed with Toyota (it will be selling the almost identical 86 coupe) Subaru will initially have the challenging task of explaining that the four-wheel-drive systems it’s largely developed its brand on need not apply in this case.

Once over that, though, there’s a great value little sports car to be had – and all for less than $40,000. The 147kW 2.0-litre engine may look modest on paper but makes for perky performance once mated to the lightweight two-door body.

Although the brand’s new Impreza hatch and sedan arrive in 2012, the WRX and STI versions of that car – if they remain based on it – aren’t expected until 2013.

Suzuki

Suzuki will launch the Swift Sport early this year - a higher-powered hero version of its small city car.

When it arrives in March it will get rid of the low-out 1.4-cylinder engine seen in more civilised Swifts, replacing it with a 100kW 1.6-litre powerplant. A six-speed manual is already confirmed, but Suzuki has already hinted at a self-shifting version, too.

Toyota

The hotly-awaited 86 coupe goes on sale in around June with an expected sub-$35,000 starting price.

The 86 marks the return of ‘badge engineering’ where car makers amortise development costs by jointly building one car that basically wear different badges. The sleek coupe is powered by a Subaru-sourced 147kW/205Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder “boxer” engine.

Its name harks back to the rear-wheel-drive AE86 Corolla of the mid-1980s, which remains popular among ‘drift’ enthusiasts today.

Volkswagen

The German brand’s new model activity kicks off in January with dealerships receiving stock of the sporty Scirocco R two-door. Some cars arrived late last year, but this month will be the first full month on sale for the turbocharged sports coupe.

The car, which is powered by the same 188kW engine as the Golf R, was launched overseas in 2008 but local management originally baulked at importing it for fear of cannibalising sales of the Golf R three-door. With the three-door Golf now gone, the Scirocco has been deemed suitable for local consumption.

Prices start at $47,490 for the six-speed manual and $49,990 for the six-speed dual-clutch auto.