As well as the latest city cars mentioned here last week, a great many new models on a larger scale are either just reaching the showrooms, or have their UK introduction dates already planned.

Ford will soon get properly to grips with the coupe market when it launches the Cougar. Based on the Mondeo platform, this individually styled car takes the same confident approach as the Puma and the still to be launched Focus.

Renault begins to sell the new Clio next week, Nissan has a revised Almera GTi, Chrysler is extending the Neon range, and Mazda is about to bring in a diesel 626. The new Volkswagen Golf and Mercedes A-class arrive soon, and Mercedes is upgrading the spe cifications of the C-class and E-class.

VW has put a number of new derivatives in its catalogue, including the Polo estate, the 20-valve turbo version of the Sharan MPV (which has a Seat Alhambra counterpart) and a four-wheel drive Passat V6 estate. Skoda brings in the Octavia saloon next month, the estate in the autumn.

Introduction of the next BMW 3-series starts in September with the 318i and 328i. The 323i will be here before the end of the year, with the entry-level 316i and the 320 diesel coming in 1999. In the middle of all that, the new Honda Accord arrives in October.

The fizziest launch and wildest colour schemes will probably be connected with the introduction of the Citroen Berlingo Multispace. Unconventional by family car standards in both size and shape, this may well turn out to be a niche model which tickles the general fancy.