Rovaniemi, Finland - German carmaker BMW plans to introduce a four-wheel drive version of its flagship 7 series limousine, the company revealed during winter testing in Finland.

The rugged variant of the 7 series will use BMW's Xdrive four-wheel drive system which features in the X3, X5 offroaders and in the xi 3 Series and 5 Series saloons. The new 7 will ride higher than the standard car and be fitted with underbody protection in the form of sump and transmission guards. The new car is likely to be unveiled in late 2009.

Stuttgart - Japanese carmaker Mazda is planning to use a hydrogen-powered version of its Wankel engine for its new RX-9 sportster.

According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport magazine, the radically-styled, RX-9 coupe will make its debut in dual-mode form, with an engine which can burn both petrol and hydrogen. The car will go on sale in 2012, said the report, which quoted sources close to the company.

London  - Jaguar has given the XF luxury saloon a more powerful diesel engine which is said to save fuel at the same time.

The 3 litre, six-cylinder turbo diesel unit in the XF Diesel S replaces the current 2.7-litre unit, boosting performance by 33 per cent. Despite the power gain, the bigger engine
(275 horsepower) is said to be 12 per cent more fuel-efficient and it cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 10 per cent to 179g/km. The car will feature at the Detroit car show from January 17-25, 2009.

Detroit  - The latest incarnation of Maserati's Quattroporte luxury four-seater, the Sport GTS, will make its international debut at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit from January 17-25, 2009.

Berlin  - Asian carmakers lead a fall in German vehicle sales last year, data released Tuesday showed, with the giant Japanese auto group Toyota Motor Corporation reporting a 27-per-cent sales plunge in Europe's biggest auto market during 2008.

Along with Toyota, Japanese rivals Mitsubishi, Mazda and Honda also reported steep falls, Germany's vehicle registration office (KBA) said Tuesday, as the growing sense of economic uncertainty hit Germany's key car sector.

Korean carmaker's new German car registrations slumped by 15 per cent last year.

Tokyo - Toyota Motor Corp decided to further reduce output by halting operations for 11 days at 12 domestic plants in February and March, the company said Tuesday.

Due to rapid decline of overseas demand, the leading automaker suspended operations for three days this month at almost all its domestic factories.

Toyota also plans to stop some production lines during the night shift at 13 parts-factories including subsidiaries in and outside Japan this month.