The king and I - Porsche 911 Carrera S

Robbo lets rip in the latest iteration of a model that's both infatuated and infuriated him over the last 40 years. So does the second-gen 997 retain its crown?

LAUNCHED: Mini Cooper D

Outstanding efficiency in cute-as-a-button packaging.

Indecent exposure - Audi TTS v BMW Z4 v Merc SLK 350 v Porsche Boxster S

Who needs sunshine when you have four of Germany's hottest convertibles ready to unleash in the Aussie Alps?

Trued grit - Mazda 3 MPS

The second-gen of Mazda's wild-child hot hatch is as wickedly potent as the first, but chassis changes have reined in the manic torque steer, and helped deliver handling that's no longer a handful.

LAUNCHED: Lambo Murcielago LP670-4 SV

Lean beef that leaves you very full.

Positive spin - Toyota Prius

Geeks and greenies will love it unconditionally, but can Prius III also woo drivers?

LAUNCHED: Porsche 911 GT3

Bigger engine, even more brilliance.

LAUNCHED: BMW Z4

Roof now hard, but character is softer.

Cruze control

The small-car segment is now Australia's largest, and Mazda and Toyota are hogging the sales fast lane. Can Holden's new globally developed Cruze redirect the traffic flow?

LAUNCHED: Skoda Superb

Despite the self-indulgent name, Skoda's new luxo limo flagship has finally arrived offering a tonne of metal of the money.

Strip show - 370Z v HSV R8

Game Zed brings V6 knife to heavyweight V8 gunfight.

Nissan 370Z v HSV R8, Evo X, Cayman S

Not content to have stung Porsche with its upstart GT-R, Nissan widens the front with a Zed-led assault.

LAUNCHED: Honda Odyssey

Almost-sexy seven-seater with substance.

Slide tracked - 370Z v Evo X

Zed plays the power card against Evo's traction.

LAUNCHED: Nissan Maxima

New model worthy of more than just a blip on buyers' radar.

Tiers of joy - Mazda 3 SP25 v Golf 118TSI

Moving down one level from GTI and MPS still brings miles of driving smiles.

The joy of VI - Golf GTI

More mid-range punch, better fuel economy, trick diff and impeccable DNA all cement the sixth-gen GTI's status as the complete hot hatch.

LAUNCHED: Ferrari 599 HGTE

'H' for handling pack; 'G' for greatness.

LAUNCHED: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder

Open season in the bullpen? It's a roar deal.

Now with maw - Mazda 3 SP25

The gaping grille is the first indication that Mazda's tighter, punchier new SP25 has an even healthier appetite for performance.

DOWNLOAD: Mazda6 vs Honda Accord Euro

Wheels Road Test Annual 2009 - Facing off here are the second generation of two of Japan's best mid-sizers.

LAUNCHED: Nissan GT-R Spec-V

Ultimate Godzilla loses weight, adds bucks.

LAUNCHED: Audi Q5

Ingolstadt looks to shake up the SUV establishment.

Class struggle - Alfa 159 v Peugeot 407 v Renault Laguna v VW Passat

Jostling beneath the lofty rung occupied by the premium Germans is a second tier of Euro wannabes. Question is, do any of them deliver a case persuasive enough to tempt you out of an Audi, Benz or BMW?