Paris  - French carmaker Citroen is giving the 2009 model of the C1 a makeover. The new look includes a modified front and a more economical engine, which should lower fuel consumption to 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres.

The one-litre engine, with an output of 50 kilowatts/68 horsepower, has been adjusted so that carbon dioxide emissions are only 106 grammes per kilometre. Production of the Hdi 55-diesel version will end because of poor demand.

Stuttgart  - Porsche is said to be downplaying plans to build a special economical four-cylinder version of the Boxter, the British Autocar magazine has reported, quoting company sources.

A Porsche spokesman described the report as "pure speculation." The next generation of the Boxter Roadster and the Cayman coupe would still be offered with a six-cylinder engine, the spokesman added. He pointed out that they would be more economical because of direct injection systems.

Coventry, England  - The Jaguar XJ, which celebrates its 40th birthday this year, in a sense epitomizes the very best and worst of British motoring.

Driving an XJ is an emotional experience that clearly differs from the cool precision of taking the wheel in a Mercedes.

For a start, there is the distinct smell of the opulent leather interior coupled with neatly arranged dials on the wooden dashboard, giving it an aura of luxurious opulence.

Las Vegas  - At least Batman doesn't have to worry about getting a parking space now.

A specialty auto fitter gave a Smart Fortwo a kind of celebrity makeover at a Las Vegas trade show earlier this month, transforming the subcompact car into a mini-Batmobile, complete with a black airbrush paint job and tailfins.

Designer George Barris, renowned for creating the original Batmobile in the 1960s superhero television series, teamed up with the Californian specialist firm Vertical Doors to build the Batsmart.

Tokyo - Mazda Motor Corp bought back 6.87-per

Tokyo/New York  - Mazda Motor Corp and other business partners plan to buy back a 20-per-cent stake of the Japanese automaker from Ford Motor Co on Wednesday, the automakers said Tuesday.

Ford will reduce its share of Mazda to 13 per cent from the current 33.4 per cent in order to raise badly needed funds. The second-largest US automaker said it hopes to raise 540 million with the sale.

Mazda was expected to purchase a 6.9 per cent stake of 96.8 million shares for 184 yen per share, worth a total of about 17.9 billion yen (185.18 million dollars), the Japanese company said. The rest of the shares are to be sold to other unidentified investors.