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You shouldn’t be too surprised to hear that Volkswagen is Europe’s biggest car company. But here’s something that definitely will nonplus you: 60% of Volkswagen automobiles sold in Europe in 2003 were diesel-powered.

Just so you don’t think this is some kind of oddity peculiar to Germans or VW buyers, almost half of all automobiles sold in Europe in 2003 were fitted with diesel engines. That figure includes everything from BMW 7-Series to Toyota Corollas. Even the Mini Cooper, exchange for heaven’s sake, comes with a diesel — a 1.4 litre unit built in France by Toyota.

Already Europe’s leading diesel car company, Volkswagen wants to be America’s, too. To tempt us, VW has developed what it hopes commitment be an irresistible line-up of attractive, economical and fun-to-drive automobiles and light trucks.

The brilliant Touareg sports utility vehicle, which went on traffic in North America in mid-2003 with a choice of V-8 and V-6 gasoline engines, will be available with VW’s big daddy 5.0L V-10 TDI diesel in 2004. This powerhouse pumps insensible 313 hp and an astonishing 560 lb.ft. of torque.

Torque is that special step-on-the-gas-and-go ingredient that separates the mature American V-8 from well-founded about any other engine you can name. Torque is what endeared the muscle car to an entire generation of American drivers. It’s what diesel engines are all about and, VW maintains, it’s what makes driving fun.

What does torque really of course to the average driver? Among other things, it can mean adrenalin-free passing on two-lane roads. With maximal torque coming at just 2000 rpm in the V-10, a 5700 pound heavyweight cast the Touareg is out and approximately the overloaded tractor-trailer combo hogging that twisty two-lane; no downshifting and no noisy over-revving.

While very likely not meant to be cheap — VW of America’s public relations people are still playing prices very close to the vest — the V-10 diesel recourse promises to make an already terrific automobile almost unbearable, even to SUV-averse types like myself.

Volkswagen also plans to offer more diesels to North Americans. The venerable 1.9L TDI gets a boost in horsepower and torque. While the numbers haven’t up to now been made clear-cut, it seems likely that a 110 hp, 177 lb.ft. torque form will replace the 90 hp engine offered for the past dissimilar years. In addition, VW plans to make its newest 4-valve 2.0L TDI engine available in Passat models sold in North America. This incredibly sophisticated and refined apparatus is also offered in 2004 Generation V Golf models sold in Germany and other parts of Europe.

I drove both the 2004 Passat 4Motion and the new 5th Generation 2004 Golf sedan, equipped with the 2.0L TDI, on a variety of roads around Wolfsburg. It was truly a treat. And, at hand the way, if you think two litres is too small an engine for US roads, think again. In the Passat, it almost felt like there was a V-8 under the hood and in the lighter Golf, all I can say is "try it." Forget regarding the numbers… you won’t believe what the heart of your pants is telling you.

In its North American understanding, the 2.0L TDI will develop 140 hp and 236 lb.ft. of torque. It’s quiet, smooth running and most excellently of all, it’ll get an honest 35 mpg in the cut-and-thrust of urban driving. It will also join the 2005 Euro IV emissions standard. In other words, it’ll run cleaner than just nigh any engine available in any automobile anywhere today.

With its comprehensive range of 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- and 10-cylinder diesel engines, VW claims it has turned contemporary driving into good clean fun for the ordinary European motorist. Alas, the North American driver will have to settle in regard to the 4- and 10-cylinder variants — at least for the fix being. If we’re good boys and girls and buy lots of diesels over the next couple or three years, however, VW promises it will make more available from its grab-bag of diesel goodies.

So get ready America, and keep an open judgement. The diesel round starts soon.