Volkswagen is introducing two highly innovative engine ranges this year, both of them comprised of four-cylinder units and some of which are potentially headed to the U.S [and Canada].

One of these is a gasoline-powered four-cylinder engine family dubbed the EA211, which we previously reported would be the first four-cylinder engine on the market with cylinder deactivation technology.The first EA211 engine will debut in the Volkswagen Polo range in Europe this summer before filtering across to other markets.

The other engine family Volkswagen is introducing is the new EA288 diesel range, which has already been previewed in concept form in the Cross Coupe TDI plug-in hybrid on show this week at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Making up the EA288 family is a series of TDI turbodiesel engines ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 liters in displacement.

The latter is the unit that is most likely destined for [North America], where it will appear in vehicles such as the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. It will develop upwards of 190 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, a considerable rise over Volkswagen’s current 2.0-liter TDI mill, which delivers 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. However, it is also expected to be more fuel efficient.

Standout features shared by both the EA211 and EA288 engines includes a non-replacement timing belt, faster heating systems for cold-weather conditions, and a pair of counter-rotating balance shafts to improve refinement.

via http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1073660_volkswagen-unveils-ea288-diesel-engine-family