What's in store this year?

The long awaited Mercedes G-Wagon arrives mid year, and will be preceded by the introduction of a new member to the GL family, the GL450 CDI, which will boast a 225kW/700Nm, 4.0-litre twin turbo diesel V8!

While Nissan are unlikely to gain stock of the right hand drive version of the new Patrol this year -- Nissan are struggling to keep up with demand for the new Patrol in left hand drive only -- there will be a new V6 turbo diesel top-end Pathfinder. Another interesting arrival will be the Toyota FJ Cruiser, which goes on sale in March. This retro-inspired vehicle shares Prado running gear and promises to be a capable off roader.

This month also sees the arrival of perhaps the ultimate Land Rover in the range topping Range Rover Sport Autobiography. The Range Rover Vogue also benefits from the introduction of a larger diesel engine and eight-speed transmission.

It is in the 4x4 utility market that things will really get competitive, with the arrival of the all new Mazda BT-50 range, along with the newly-revealed Australian-engineered Ford Ranger, for which many orders have already been placed. Nissan have repowered their successful Navara (and Pathfinder) with upgraded 3.0-litre V6 engines that produce 170kw power and an impressive 550Nm of torque. Both models arrive early this year.

Isuzu are tipped to introduce an all-new D-max ute later in the year, while the new heavyweight ute on the block is the much heralded Volkswagen Amarok that arrives in March.

On the SUV front the biggest event is the long awaited upgrade and introduction of a turbo diesel powerplant in Ford's pace-setting Territory (full details below) in April. Around the same time, the Jeep Wrangler is expected with a refreshed look and new interiors. Along with the Territory, new to our market will be the Skoda Yeti, a VW Tiguan derived soft roader, and in September the most affordable Range Rover arrives in the new Evoque sport wagon. The new Freelander also gains upgrades this month and a facelifted Jeep Patriot goes on sale in April. Also receiving a mid-year refresh is the Holden Captiva. Nissan's popular AWD X-Trail has also just been released as a 2WD only.

SsangYong will relaunch an improved version of the Korando, the Subaru Forester will gain an update and improved engine, Volvo's XC60 soft roader will gain a four-cylinder turbo T5 variant later in the year, while Audi will offer new diesel and petrol A6 luxury AWDs. Perhaps the most usual AWD model will be the Mini Countryman that arrives later in the year.