This year is set to be a classic year for new cars, with everything from the new Mini to the Alfa 147, Aston Martin Vanquish and the Lexus Sports Coupe set for our shores within the next 12 months.

Here we take a look at some of the new cars set to make their debuts this year.

Alfa Romeo 147

Already a winner before it gets to the UK is the Alfa Romeo 147 which carried off the 2001 European Car of the Year Title.

The baby Alfa that replaces the 145 and 146 has a lot of personality, but its looks - especially the upright nose and elongated grille - may well polarise opinions.

Initially, the UK gets 1.6-litre and two-litre versions of Alfa's magnificent twin-spark engines.

Prices will start at under £13,000 and the 147 is due to be here next month.

Aston Martin Vanquish

Initially, we were promised it for the British International Motor Show - now we will have to wait until the Geneva Show in March to see the thundering-new Aston Martin Vanquish.

Company executives reportedly withdrew the 190mph coupe from Birmingham because they weren't happy with the interior fit and finish.

After Geneva, the V12-powered Vanquish will go into production in April, with the first examples being delivered to UK customers in June.

And a Vanquish will set you back at least £170,000 and more like £200,000 if you want a fully-fitted range-topper.

Citroen C5

Replacing both the Xantia and the defunct XM, Citroen's next generation, upper-medium-sector saloon will be called the C5.

The French company is departing from its recent naming policy to bring this big saloon to the showroom.

Already previewed at Paris and the British International Show, the C5 promises plenty of sophistication, with lots of Citroen specialities such as adjustable suspension.

An all-new car, it promises a lot from one of the most improved car makers of recent years,

Daihatsu YRV

The first of a wave of new compact cars for Europe from Daihatsu arrives in the shape of the YRV.

On sale early in the new year, the five-door YRV uses a fuel-frugal 1.3-litre petrol engine with dynamic variable valve timing.

A more sporting 140bhp turbocharged YRV makes an appearance before the end of the year.

Bristling with lots of technology, the YRV will be priced around £10,500.

Ford Fiesta

Having made the biggest splash in the UK market last year with the all-new and very-impressive Mondeo, Ford keeps up the pressure in 2001 with several new models.

We are going to have to wait almost until the end of the year for the first sighting of the new Fiesta - a model which aims to meet the new Vauxhall Corsa head-on.

No details have been released on the Fiesta but you can be sure it will be good, especially as it already has a strong foundation to build on.

Hyundai Santa Fe & Hyundai Elantra

Delayed from last year because right-hand versions weren't available, Hyundai's muscular new Santa Fe four-wheel drive is due to make an early appearance in 2001.

The first 4x4 from Hyundai to be sold in the UK, it will be making a big play of its price - at £16,000-£18,000 it will be a lot cheaper than its better-known rivals.

Its permanent four-wheel drive system is linked to either a 2.4 or 2.7-litre V6 engine or a 2 litre, direct-injection turbo-diesel.

Not far behind the Santa Fe comes something more conventional from Hyundai - its new Elantra saloon. More than a replacement for the old Lantra, it is a bigger and more sophisticated vehicle to take it above the Accent range.

Lexus SC430

Orders have already been taken, but the first on-the-road sighting of the Lexus Sport Coupe in the UK won't take place until mid-year.

Numbers are limited in the UK which should guarantee exclusivity for those who have placed their deposits.

Mini Cooper

It seems as if the new Mini has been with us for years already - but the truth is that the first production versions won't be with customers until July.

Sold through BMW dealers (BMW retained the project when it sold off the rest of the Rover empire) it is significantly bigger than its predecessor and relies on styling rather than functionality as its main selling point.

Even at over £10,000, some 100,000 are expected to be sold worldwide when full production at Oxford is reached in 2003.

Power comes from a 16-valve 1.6-litre engine while the multi-link suspension is borrowed from the BMW 3 series.

Without doubt it will be the most eagerly anticipated car of the year.

Renault

One of the busiest brands in 2001 is going to be Renault which has at least three new models to rave about.

The first is the replacement Laguna which goes on sale here next month.

Already highly thought of, Laguna II is a continuation of Renault's latest design themes, so there are plenty of interesting angles and hi-tech features.

Among the special features is a keyless door entry system and a slot-in card to activate the engine and internal systems. Prices start from under £15,000.

Laguna II will be followed very closely by the hottest Clio yet produced.

The Clio Renault Sport V6 (derived from a race category Clio) will be the world's only mid-engined hatchback and although at first it doesn't seem likely, it shares some components with the Laguna II.

This is primarlily the 230bhp three-litre 24-valve V6 engine which drives through an all-new six-speed gearbox and is capable of taking the hot hatch to 62mph in 6.4 seconds.

Just 400 will be available to UK buyers per year with the first examples costing £25,995.

Unchallenged as the most radical new car of the year will be the Renault Avantime - a luxury Grand Tourer that has stepped straight out of a science fiction movie.

With its dramatic wedge shape, huge expanse of glass and hi- tech features, Avantime will stop traffic everywhere it goes.

Renault says it isn't a replacement for the Safrane which reappears in 2002.