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.

The new Capri could be fitted with four and five cylinder engines with an output of between 140 and 250 hp which would be considerably more than the turbocharged RS and Tickford Capris of the early 1980s.