Ten to drive in 2007

We've put our 2006 favorite drives in the rearview mirror, so let's look at 10 cars we can't wait to drive this year.

This may be the most exciting car on the list. From what I've seen at auto shows, the C30 will be a bold and successful departure for Volvo. It's a two-door hatchback, and you might recognize the glassy hatch from the classic P1800 of the past . Word is the car will have a 218-horse power plant, but if Volvo doesn't add a turbo down the line, it's nuts.

Two Fords for this Ford. Word is, they will be the new Bullitt and Boss, continuing the recreation of the fabled Mustang line. The last Bullitt was a so-so car, though I did get to retrace Steve McQueen's route from the movie when I drove it in San Francisco. The new one should be a great take on the 1968 390 GT. And with a new Boss coming to town, Mustang lovers have to be salivating. There is talk of a 400-plus-horsepower engine. But details are still sketchy.

The Aura was my choice for North American Car of the Year because it showed General Motors can build a quality sedan to compete with European and Asian manufacturers. Now the Astra is coming. It's a two-door hatchback built on European Opel architecture, as is the Aura. Given what Saturn is doing with turbocharging these days, I'm predicting there will be a turbo version of the Astra, too.

I've driven the TT on the deadly, but fun, Nurburgring in Germany, and can't wait to try out this model. It will come with either a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 200 horsepower or a 3.2-liter six-cylinder with 250 horsepower. Toss in all-wheel drive and it's off to the races.

The Miata may offer drivers the most fun of any car on the planet. It is affordable, dependable, and a throwback to the old days of sports car touring. I'm anxious to find out what the stiffness of a hardtop might add to its handling -- even if it is a hardtop that can be dropped down.

All I know is that sometime this summer, I'm going to Sweden to drive a Saab with a new all-wheel-drive system. Saab has long held a place in the hearts of New Englanders, and General Motors let the brand drift in the wind for too long. Coming back to these shores with a new and advanced all-wheel-drive system could turn things around, just in time.

The little Benz that could is supposedly coming to the United States. I keep telling people I'll review a Smart Car as soon as I find one suitable for American roads. I know how popular it is in Europe, and I've seen them parked all over medians in Germany because people use them like bicycles. But I still haven't seen one that meets our safety standards.

The Freelander flopped -- it was a poor attempt by Land Rover to get into the small SUV market. Here's guessing that the LR2 with its 230-horsepower and roguish Rover visage will fare better.

It's already on the market and a review is coming soon. I was amazed that the last flagship of the Lexus fleet I drove was so good at $60,000 (compared to competitors with much higher sticker prices). I'm eager to see what $80,000 will buy -- in addition to a program that lets the car parallel park itself.

Toyota drove a stake into the heart of truck country by building its Tundra plant in San Antonio . This is a big American truck. In 2006, Toyota passed Ford in overall sales. Now it is aiming for Ford's popular F-150/250 series. And don't rule out a future diesel.

Royal Ford can be reached at ford@globe.com.