It’s reckoned to be the world’s biggest and glitziest car show, and Frankfurt certainly didn’t disappoint this time round as the wraps were taken off a host of new and exciting cars, many of which are headed this way, reports Tony Bosworth.

The new Lexus IS, old engines apart, is a clear improvement over the old model and there is no doubt it will attract a younger demographic to the brand. But it still just fails to stir the soul the way some of its competitors do. Maybe the new engines, when they finally arrive, will fix that.

Ever sat behind someone in the overtaking lane when they’re travelling at well under the speed limit? Well, Tony Bosworth reckons enough is enough. Australian drivers, he says, are rude and potential accident waiting to happen, so, move to the left and let the rest of us do the speed limit.

Hands up if you remember the Nissan Pulsar? Born in 1978 and sold all around the world (various generations were even built in Australia) until it disappeared in 2007, replaced by the Nissan Tiida, the Nissan Pulsar became an icon. And now it’s back. And at exactly the same price it listed for back in 1996 – $19,990 (+ORC). Clever.

The Fiat 500 has never really been a serious choice for Australian motorists, but with a price cut and cute looks that might be about to change. It also makes a strong case for itself against the other “retro” contenders such as the VW Beetle and Mini, which are bought more for image than any compelling practical reasons.

Despite the high ride height, the Mini Paceman lacks AWD. And while the extra length pays dividends in rear seat space, there’s still only room for two back there and intending occupants have to find their way in and out using the front doors. That said, the Paceman looks hot. And perhaps that’s the only justification it needs.

At $16,000 driveway for the base model, the Fiat Punto is well worth a look on price and equipment alone. It’s a decent-looking car and the fit and finish is impressive, as are the standard five doors, nice manual gearbox and roomy, airy interior.

The future of Holden hangs in the balance. According to some pundits, the recent job and production cuts mark the beginning of the end for the iconic Australian manufacturer. On the other hand, it isn’t the first time forecasters have predicted oblivion for the company.

When I let someone in – usually some muppet who comes up fast in the left lane which merges into my lane – it would be nice if he or she could just give me a wave of thanks.

I was at in the casino at Monte Carlo playing vingt et un with Jeremy Clarkson, back when we were both young motoring journos with our future in front of us. I’d spent the last half-hour whingeing about my unreliable Citroen ZX – it was giving me all sorts of grief.

With the exception of the rear-drive BR-Z, Subaru has made a name for itself as an all-wheel drive SUV specialist. And this fourth-generation Subaru Forester XT builds on the success of its predecessor by being bigger and roomier, better on fuel and with a much more premium look.

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee is an impressive package and the inclusion of a 4×2 version will make it even more appealing to a wider audience. But if your heart is set on a Range Rover, you probably won’t be swayed. On the other hand, if your budget is not bottomless, there will be a Grand Cherokee that suits.

“Even before I was appointed Chief Engineer on the IS project, my daily driver was an IS. I started developing this car to leave its mark in history. We’re trying to change the perception of the Lexus brand. In addition to being reliable and comfortable, we’re looking to be a more emotional and aggressive brand and we’re currently in the midst of that transition,” Junichi Furuyama tells Practical Motoring.

John Mrozowski is still a little jet-lagged when we catch up with him to discuss the face-lifted Jeep Grand Cherokee, but his enthusiasm for the vehicle shines through. “Two and a half years ago,” he recalls, “the Senior VP Engineering tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘We’d like you to work on the Grand Cherokee’. Since we had just launched the new model, I was inheriting something that we thought was already great, but we had to take it and make it better.”

If you’re in the market for a highly sensible new car with all the attributes of a small car but the space and practicality of a mid-size car, the Nissan Almera almost stands alone. You’ll miss out on a few of life’s little luxuries, but you shouldn’t get too many complaints from the back seat.