Volkswagen has just confirmed it will be offering its next-generation turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine in the 2015 Beetle, Golf, Passat and Jetta models.

The new TDI Clean Diesel engine

Set to arrive in the second half of 2014, the fuel efficient EA288 engine will replace all the 2.0-litre TDI Clean Diesel engines currently fitted in Audi and Volkswagen TDI Clean Diesel models.

Highlights for the new engine include an output rating of 111 kW and 320 Nm of torque, and according to Volkswagen, this unit shares only the bore spacing with the previous diesel engine that had the same designation.

A number of other changes have been made to help reduce emissions, including use of a complex exhaust gas recirculation system, integration of the intercooler with the intake manifold, which also improves throttle response, and packaging the exhaust after-treatment components close to the engine.

Other efficiency-enhancing changes include low-friction bearings for the camshaft and balancer shafts and piston rings with less pre-tension.

“With the introduction of the new EA288 engine, we are excited that our family of TDI Clean Diesel vehicles is continuing to improve and will be even cleaner and more fuel efficient and powerful. We’re excited to see the increasing numbers of customers able to enjoy the reliability, durability, fuel-efficiency and power of Clean Diesel engines,” said Douglas Skorupski, Volkswagen of America Manager of Technical Strategy.

The new, more fuel-efficient EA288 engine will debut in second half of 2014 and will be available in displacement from 1.6 to 2.0-litres. Fingers crossed these new engines make their way to South Africa.