Volkswagen's new TDI clean diesel engine will be available with five 2015 model-year vehicles beginning later this year, the automaker has announced.

The next-gen TDI EA288 engine will initially be available with the Passat, Golf, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, and Jetta. Volkswagen's Douglas Skoropski, manager of techical strategy for Volkswagen of America, made the announcement at the Automotive World Megatrends USA conference in Dearborn, Mich., on March 18.

The EA288 is a turbocharged common-rail direct-injection four cylinder that produces 150 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. The EA288 offers a 10 hp increase from the existing TDI engine.

Several engineering upgrades reduce emissions, including an exhaust gas recirculation system, integration of the intercooler with the intake manifold and packaging exhaust after-treatment components close to the engine.

Fuel economy improvements have been achieved by using low-friction bearings for the camshaft and balancer shafts, piston rings that have less pre-tension, and a two-stage oil pump with volumetric flow regulation.

Volkswagen sold 105,899 vehicles with TDI engines in 2013 under its Volkswagen and Audi nameplates. This accounted for 75 percent of diesel sales of passenger cars and SUVs. The automaker now offers 12 TDI clean diesel models. The TDI models deliver 30 percent better fuel economy and as much as 30 percent less carbon dioxide emissions compared to gasoline counterparts, according to the automaker.

The EA288 engine replaces the 2.0L TDI clean diesel engines now offered.