India’s top car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India Ltd is all set to unveil its ‘A-star’ model in the local market by the next month (October 2008).

A senior company official said that the company will begin exports by December 2008.

It is also learnt that initially, the car will be exported to the European markets.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has also decided to increase local research and development (R&D) for small cars to 90%.

A new engine plant will soon start with its process of construction in Talegaon, in the western state of Maharashtra, as General Motors today signed an agreement regarding building it. The agreement was signed in presence of the Honorable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh and host of other dignitaries, between GM India President and Managing Director Mr. Karl Slym and Mr. A.M. Khan, Principal Secretary (Industries).

Hamburg - The legendary Ford Capri is to return in a new guise with a concept study set to be unveiled at next year's Frankfurt Motor Show, Germany's auto-motor-sport magazine reports.

While the last original Capri in 1986 featured rear-wheel drive with a six cylinder engine, the new version would be built on an existing platform with front-wheel drive, the magazine reports.

Drawings published by the magazine show a fresh style with some typical Capri features, but a larger front grille with air intakes. The headlights are embedded in the fenders. Narrow side windows contrast with a large sloping windscreen.

Paris - Peugeot plans to present a four-door coupe concept study, the RC 508, with green hybrid drive at the Paris Motor Show in October.

Teaser images released by the car maker show a design with headlights integrated into the fenders and the Peugeot lion logo taking a prominent position in the centre of the front grille.

According to the French car maker, the RC concept will also showcase a hybrid drivetrain.

Pebble Beach, California - Pininfarina has given the Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe a one-off makeover for a wealthy U. S. collector, taking design cues from the 
1930s and calling it the Hyperion, a Titan of Greek mythology.

First presented at the recent Concours d'Elegance classic car event in Pebble Beach, California, the car was custom built from a 400,000 dollar Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe owned by collector Roland Hall.

The sleek, long bonnet with the body seemingly wrapped around the driver and passenger combined with a short rear end, was one of the 1930s features taken up by the Italian designers.