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evo columnist and McLaren F1 designer Gordon Murray has joined Caparo Vehicle Products as advanced composites director. Murray will also be involved with re-engineering the Smart Roadster for its transformation into an AC, to be built in Wales; British-financed ‘Project Kimber’ bought the rights to produce the Smart from DaimlerChrysler earlier in the year.

MAZDA has developed a hydrogen-powered version of the RX-8 that it plans to lease to local government agencies and energy companies in Japan at a cost of around £2000 per month. The ultra-low-emissions coupe recently made its European debut at the launch of Norway’s first hydrogen filling station near Stavanger.

GERMAN tuner MK-Motorsport has produced a carbonfibre bonnet and bootlid for the current Mini Cooper S – the bonnet is said to cut weight from 30kg to 4.6kg. The company has also developed an engine upgrade that pushes power to 227bhp, as well as a brake conversion kit. For more info, visit www.mk-motorsport.de

WITH its 260bhp Double-R now eligible to compete in the 2007 Yokohama Mid-Engined Sportscar series, Brooke is offering an incentive for owners to compete: free factory support and maintenance, plus help with finding sponsorship. Go to www.brookecars.co.uk to find out more.