Donning deep blue eyes, back combed and sporting the familiar family grin, the Aston Martin V12 Zagato is all set to star at the 2012 Geneva International Salon show.

Designed as a tribute to the iconic DB4GT Zagato, marking its 50th anniversary, the V12 Zagato is the perfect successor to the One-77 and has been build using material, processes and technology pioneered on the former. 'The V12 Zagato takes this philosophy to a level previously seen in the company’s exquisite One-77 supercar, which completes its build run this year.' says the company website.

As described by Dr Ulrich Bez, CEO Aston Martin, the new V12 Zagato is “a celebration of both Aston Martin’s heritage and its future”. He continues: “Our relationship with Zagato stretches back more than 50 years. Together in that time we have created a series of very special cars. The first – the DB4GT Zagato – is a true icon: fast, beautiful and incredibly desirable. In the V12 Zagato I believe we have captured the spirit of that car and combined it with a confident twist of modernity to give it a character all of its own.”

Built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, production of the V12 Zagato will be strictly limited to no more than 150 cars. On-sale now priced at £330,000 (plus local taxes) the production specification V12 Zagato will be showcased at the Geneva Salon International in March 2012. First deliveries are scheduled for Autumn 2012.

The 24 hours Le Mans is amongst the toughest endurance races and Audi has quite a name to defend with multiple previous full podium finishes in the hat. But perhaps just to make matters a bit more exciting Audi announces competing in the coming 80th Le Mans with with a total of four LMP1 sports cars. Two of the four cars in action will be equipped with hybrid drive for the first time. 

“To develop the hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in its early stages,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “The first test results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs in combination with our ultra lightweight technology on the race track at Le Mans. As before, we still, however, see potential with the conventional drive – just as our colleagues do in production development. This is why we are absolutely delighted that the ACO and FIA selection committee has accepted our entries and that we can join the grid with four cars at the commemorative running of the Le Mans race.”

At the 80th running of the French endurance classic, Audi competes with the start numbers ‘1’ and ‘2’ (hybrid drive) as well as ‘3’ and ‘4’. As stipulated by the regulations one driver per car is now nominated. Those drivers are André Lotterer, Allan McNish, Timo Bernhard and Oliver Jarvis.

With a successful run in hybrids Audi will not only be demonstrating its superior technology, but also the practicality of a hybrid.

The upcoming Auto Expo 2012, BMW Group has finally decided to answer the pleas of the many awaiting the launch of MINI here in India for a very long time now.

MINI will debut as a premium brand in India at Auto Expo 2012 with the launch of MINI, MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman exclusively at the MINI Pavilion where Dr. Kay Segler, Senior Vice President, MINI Business Coordination and Brand Management will address the press.

'With its three brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group has its sights set firmly on the premium sector of the Indian automobile market. Along with its automotive concerns, the BMW Group's activities in India comprise the marketing of motorcycles, as well as financial services for its premium clientele.' says the company in a release.

MINI will be introduced in India as a CBU (completely built-up).