NEW Year malaise already getting you down? Don't be disheartened for there will be a lot of new metal hitting the streets in 2007. Simon Donohue looks ahead at some of the new cars that will hit the roads over the next twelve months.

THE new Ford Mondeo will have to be better equipped than James Bond to reclaim its position as Britain's favourite motorway mover. It helps that it will arrive fresh from a cameo appearance in Casino Royale.

Better still, it comes with the looks and underpinnings of the acclaimed S-Max. Can it prevent dastardy MPVs and off-roaders from dominating the world? Cash-strapped Ford certainly hopes so.

THE AUDI R8 is a car which will take Vorsprung Durch Technik to another level. The eagerly awaited supercar promises to leave the mean and muscular new TT looking like its scrawny kid brother.

It's a car which sees Audi emulate some of the good work it did in transforming the fortunes of its sister company Lamborghini. Accordingly, the R8 will boast a four-wheel drive, 420bhp 4.2litre V8 monster under the bonnet.

SPEAKING of monsters, the Cadillac Escalade - car of choice of hip hop-loving football stars - gets an officially sanctioned introduction to European roads.

A green machine it isn't, boasting a 6.2litre V8 engine. But it will still only be available in left-hand drive. And if that's just a little bit too vulgar for you, you could always sign up for a new "baby" Hummer.

FAMILIES looking for something stylish and functional might consider Citroen's new C4 Picasso.

The compact MPV is based on the same platform as the C4 saloon and will be sold alongside the popular Xsara Picasso for the forseeable future. Prices will start at around é16,500.

THREE-SY does it when it comes to a trio of remarkably similar looking 4WDs which will be hitting the market this year. The jointly launched Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser have been developed alongside Mitsuibishi's Outlander. The Peugeot and the Citroen will each offer seven seats and will be identical apart from the front end and a number of other details.

I'M expecting good things of the Kia Cee'd, a car which should place the rapidly improving Korean company in direct competition for Astra and Focus customers. The five-door hatchback is on sale in February.

Another new arrival in the compact family sector is the Toyota Auris, a new hatcback which will replace the reliable Corrola in the same month.

AMONG my personal favourites for 2007 is the new incarnation of the iconic Fiat 500.

Stirred into action by the success of retro stunners like the MINI and Beetle, Fiat's designers are ready to deliver a thoroughly modern take on the much-loved Italian city car. It sits on the same platform as the Ford Ka and there'll be a model to suit all pockets. The final look of the new Fiat hasn't yet been revealed but it should look something like the Fiat Trepiuno concept car first shown at the Geneva motor show in 2004. They'll be dodging 'em outside the Colleseum about now and should arrive in the UK soon.

AFTER the anti-pasta you'll be looking for something to "spaghetti" you there in a hurry. Alfa Romeo's 8C Competizione luxury coupe should do the trick.

It will be powered by a 450bhp 4.7-litre V8 from Maserati. But make sure you're sitting down when you ask for the bill: the left-hand-drive only Alfa will cost around é100,000. Alfa Romeo's Brera-based Spider will also make an appearance in the spring.

What do you think? Have your say.

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