While Europe has received diesel BMWs in four and six-cylinder guise for decades, U.S. buyers have only been allowed a small selection--which shrunk further when BMW discontinued the 2011 335d.

That's about to change, reports Motor Authority, as BMW has confirmed it will soon offer a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder turbodiesel in a selection of models.

The 180-horsepower, 280 pounds-feet engine already occupies the engine bay of several European BMWs, including the new 1-Series, 3-Series and 5-Series, as well as the X1 and X3 crossovers.

In the 3-Series--the engine's most likely home when it hits the U.S.--the engine makes up to 52 mpg on the European combined cycle.

Even considering the usually optimistic European fuel figures--around 15-20 percent higher than EPA numbers--that suggests a comfortable 40 mpg combined. The engine is at its most efficient with the 8-speed automatic transmission. Despite those impressive numbers, there's enough power to reach 60 mph in only 7.6 seconds.

In addition to the new four-cylinder, BMW is also expected to bring its latest 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel to the U.S. Rated at 255-horsepower and 413 pounds-feet of torque, the engine could potentially be used in a wide range of BMWs.

The four-cylinder diesel may lack the performance of the new ActiveHybrid 3, but it'll certainly give it a run for its money in terms of efficiency.

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