Volkswagen's new 268bhp diesel engine could hit 60mpg

Volkswagen has revealed a new four-cylinder diesel engine that uses high-pressure injection to produce 268bhp and nearly 60mpg

The engine, an adaptation of the existing 'EA288' powerplant found in models such as the new Passat, has been designed to meet stringent EU emissions regulations that will come into force in 2020. It promises to deliver a 14 per cent power and economy boost over the most powerful four-cylinder diesel in the current Volkswagen range: the 237bhp 2.0-litre Passat Bi-TDI.

That could mean claimed fuel efficency figures approaching 60mpg, with emissions dropping down to around 120g/km of CO2. Despite those impressive green credentials, a figure of 268bhp is quoted, which would give the engine more power than the 3.0-litre V6 in the Touareg 4x4.

The figures are achieved with a variety of new technology, including a two-stage electric turbocharger and a new high-pressure common-rail fuel injection system that's capable of operating at pressures up to 2,500bar. Volkswagen's Wolfsburg-based engineering department has been hard at work of late. Recently, the company announced it's developing a new 10-speed gearbox – a first for a production car – and now a super-advanced performance diesel engine has been unveiled.

Volkswagen is positioning the new engine to power top-spec models of its larger cars, presumably including the Passat, Touareg and the upcoming CrossBlue SUV – a seven-seat model that'll sit above the Tiguan in the range. The first examples of this engine could appear in production models as early as 2016.