My brother Alan and my friend, About co-test driver Colin Hefferon, don't know one another but they have something in common. Both spend time in Europe each year, Alan on a lengthy vacation and Colin several times on business. And both inevitably come back raving about the common-sense size of most European cars plus -- and this is important -- how the diesel versions are superb performers and save hugely on fuel.

Pushing the commonality a little further, I should add that Alan this year rented a Peugeot for his lengthy road journeys, while Colin is a dedicated Peugeot enthusiast. The company makes a wide range of excellent products, none of which, unfortunately, are available in North America.

Aside from that, it's truly a shame that our choice of diesel power is so limited. In case you're not aware, let me point out that the new breed of diesels is clean, quiet, and powerful. Torque is their big selling card; massive and available from very low revs. Performance falls off at higher speeds though that's hardly important and anyway, Audi may prove that even diesels can be fast if their 2006 LeMans entry should win the 24-hour race. Audi and BMW both offer diesel power in their large luxury sedans, which should tell you something.

The excuse here comes from the oil companies, which don't deliver diesel fuel as clean as what they offer in Europe. Not until 2008, at the earliest, they say. I say they're not trying hard enough and should be given a swift kick by the EPA. Volkswagen sells diesels here and if you need an endorsement, check Colin's review of a diesel-powered Touareg. I'll be driving a Jetta TDI diesel in January. The cost of refueling will be at least 30% less than a gas-powered Jetta.