For 2009, European automakers, including Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, are selling cars and SUVs with new diesel engines that for the first time meet emissions requirements in all 50 states in the U.S.

Diesel engines are known to deliver good mileage and impressive get-up-and-go.

Here are the details of new models from Europe's mainstay manufacturers for 2009:

Audi's smallest sedan, the A4, is larger and sits a bit lower as a third-generation model. The styling is bolder, too.

The base, 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine is more powerful than before -- with 211 horses and 258 foot-pounds of torque.

There's also a 265-horsepower, 3.2-liter V-6 that uses direct injection and generates 243 foot-pounds of torque. The new A4 will be offered first with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system, and later in the model year as a front-wheel-drive model.

Using the same platform as the A4, Audi's first compact sport utility vehicle, the Q5, will be out later in the model year. The 2009 Q5 seats five, comes with standard quattro and is powered by a 270-horsepower version of the A4's 3.2-liter, direct-injection V-6.

Also coming is a revised TT two-seater, which adds an S model with 265-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged four cylinder.

Lastly, early in calendar 2009, Audi will offer its larger SUV, the Q7, with a 221-horsepower, 3-liter, turbocharged diesel V-6 that can meet emissions restrictions in all 50 states. Torque will peak at an impressive 406 foot-pounds.

The German automaker brings back to the States a diesel engine in the new model year.

Both the X5 SUV and the 3-Series sedan will be available with the new 265-horsepower, 3-liter, turbocharged, diesel, inline six cylinder that puts out an amazing 425 foot-pounds of torque. This engine meets emissions requirements in all 50 states.

The 3-Series also gets a mild appearance freshening in front and back and the new generation of iDrive information technology inside.

Later in the model year, the flagship 7-Series sedan will debut as a newly styled car with new suspension and the 400-horsepower, 4.4-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that's already in the BMW X6.

BMW's Z4 two-seater will end production this year.

Jaguar's XF luxury sedan arrived earlier this year as a 2009 model, replacing the S-Type sedan. With sport-coupe styling, an aggressive-looking grille and sleek body, the XF marks a new design direction for Jaguar.

Two V-8s are offered: a naturally aspirated, 300-horsepower, 4.2-liter engine and a 420-horsepower, supercharged version.

Jaguar, which was sold by Ford in the past year, drops the entry-level X-type car.

Ford Motor Co. sold Land Rover in the last year, and the British maker of luxury SUVs goes into 2009 with only minor equipment changes in the now V-8-powered-only LR3.

Mercedes-Benz

The German maker of luxury vehicles brings its newest -- and cleanest -- diesel engine to all 50 states in 2009.

The 210-horsepower, 3-liter, turbo-diesel V-6 is offered in the GL-Class and M-Class SUVs and R32 wagon and meets emissions in every state.

Other Mercedes changes are primarily mild styling updates.

The Cooper adds a 208-horsepower John Cooper Works edition. It includes a sporty body kit, Brembo brakes and special wheels. Mini's Clubman wagon also gets a John Cooper Works edition.

VW finally adds a smaller SUV than its Touareg.

The 2009 Tiguan is compact yet can seat five people. It's powered by a 200-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that's available with either a six-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual.

The Jetta wagon is back and now called the SportWagen.

The SportWagen and Jetta sedan for 2009 are offered with a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine, a 200-horsepower, 2-liter, turbocharged, gasoline four cylinder and a fuel-thrifty, 140-horsepower, 2-liter, direct-injection, turbo-diesel four cylinder.

The Passat adds a CC model with subtle styling changes, including frameless doors, that give it a more coupelike appearance.

VW adds a minivan this year called the Routan.

It's actually a revised Dodge Grand Caravan and is built for VW by Dodge's parent company, Chrysler. Pricing starts in the mid $20,000s.