When we consider there were over 40 new cars introduced in 2015 and that the market is showing signs of an upturn, we can expect at least as many cars in 2016.

Audi will have an A6 All-Sport model to complement the arrival of the new A4, upgraded Q3 and Q5 and the totally new Q7. BWM will have a new M2-version sports car, a new and more spacious X1 and a new 7 Series, which tops the range and is one to watch.

While there will be nothing especially new at Citroën, the more luxury DS brand will have interesting updates in an effort to lift its share of the market. Citroën, along with Peugeot, will have some interesting van news and its extended warranty for 2016 makes the brand more attractive.

There will be big news at the Fiat Group as we see the return of the Tipo car range. The new Fiat Tipo has been designed as a five passenger hatchback with adequate luggage space, while the saloon versions will be available in some markets. There will be two MultiJet II turbo-diesel engines and two petrol units with power outputs ranging from 95hp to 120hp, and manual and automatic transmission options. However, we won’t get to see the new Fiat Fullback 4x4 pickup that’s based on the Mitsubishi L200. This is a pity, as it would have added further competition to the Irish market. The double-cab Fiat Fullback will be available in the UK in autumn 2016, so some might drift across the Irish Sea. Everything about the Fullback is Mitsubishi, apart from the front-end styling, so Fiat has hitched up with a good one for its first attempt at the 4x4 market.

Ford will have lots of new 4x4 options in 2016, introducing the new Edge SUV in European specification and a new Ranger pickup, along with upgrades for the EcoSport and Kuga.

The new Edge and Ranger are among eight Ford models offered with AWD or four-wheel drive, including the all-new Focus RS, Galaxy, S-MAX, Mondeo and Mondeo Vignale. Edge also expands Ford’s SUV range in Ireland that includes the EcoSport. The new 2016 Ford Kuga in AWD will be available with SYNC 2 connectivity and an eight-inch touchscreen.

The new Ford Edge will be Ford’s largest SUV in Europe, with a choice of 180bhp 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission, or 210bhp bi-turbo 2.0-litre TDCi diesel with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission. Ford claims that both engines will deliver up to an impressive 27km/l (78.4mpg) fuel efficiency and 149g/km CO2 and both use auto start-stop technology.

The new Ford Ranger pickup claims to deliver outstanding fuel efficiency, improved by over 17% compared with the current models. Engine power is higher in both the 2.2-litre and 3.5-litre Ranger models. This new Ranger has many perks and will include new styling. The current version was our 4x4 pickup of the year winner at Ploughing 2015.

Kia has the new Sportage and Optima on the way in early 2016. Kia retained the 1.7-litre turbo-diesel engine, which it claims to have improved. Engine power increases from 136bhp to 141bhp and the level of CO2 emissions on the manual gearbox version comes down from 133g/km to 120g/km, with a new annual road tax of just €200. The CO2 improvement on the new seven-speed DCT automatic is even more significant, down 42g/km from 158g/km to 116g/km, making the road tax now just €10 more than the manual version.

The new model claims to offer greater refinement and improved ride and handling. It is now slightly wider and taller, which Kia claims gives more room for drivers, passengers and luggage.

The new Nissan Navara will be the first of the new generation of 4x4 pickups to hit the roads in 2016. The Navara recently scooped the prestigious international pickup of the year award. It will be available as a double cab or a king cab. For the Irish market, the double cab is more popular. Both are powered by a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel engine that pumps out 190bhp using a twin turbo charger unit.

There is a new five-link rear suspension for the double-cab model and an impressive load bed, which is 67mm longer than the previous model and has a towing rating of 3.5 tonnes. The new Navara model comes with a full five-year/150,000km manufacturer warranty. This latest Navara has lots of safety features.

Renault will have a new Mégane on the way by the summer and this will be preceded by an even larger car called the Talisman. This new Mégane will be longer and lower than the outgoing model, with a longer wheelbase and significantly wider front and rear track widths. This Mégane has distinctive front and rear lights and will feature a new cabin design. It will be available with a range of more fuel-efficient engines in line with Renault’s downsizing strategy. All but one of them is turbocharged. Renault claims that the benefit of turbocharging is that these new-generation engines produce high torque outputs from low engine revs, minimising fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

SsangYong has enhanced the Rexton for 2016 with the addition of an upgrade Euro six-compliant engine. In addition to the new 2.2-litre Euro six diesel engine, Rexton also gets the choice of a six-speed manual transmission or new Mercedes-Benz seven-speed automatic.

Toyota’s new RAV4 model is on the way for 2016. This latest generation version uses the new BMW-designed 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, with claims of lower CO2 emissions and better fuel economy, together with improved driving performance. This four-cylinder diesel engine, matched to a six-speed manual gearbox, produces 141bhp and 320Nm of torque, giving the front-wheel-drive RAV4 combined cycle fuel economy from 21.3km/l (60.1mpg) with carbon emissions from 123g/km. Toyota claims to have improved the quality of the RAV4 interior, adding new storage points and tidying up the layout of the area around the gear shift.

Volkswagen’s new addition for 2016 will include the Tiguan, with claims of 24% better fuel efficiency and more space. The Tiguan towing rating also remains at 2.5 tonnes and there will be new safety features. CL