The most common engine configuration for European cars is the classic inline four. But, since fewer cylinders means less chances for fuel to burn, some automakers have been incorporating three-cylinder engines into city and supermini models that don't need a lot of horsepower. This happens mostly in models that have some Japanese DNA, as it's a popular engine configuration in the Land of the Rising Sun. Which models might these be? We've got a list of 15 models, powered by both diesel and gasoline, that Europeans can buy with three cylinders and that offer really good fuel consumption figures. Opting for one of these not only saves money at the pump, but also at time of purchase. Find the list after the jump.

[Source: Auto News]

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Like many other Opel/Vauxhall models across the range, the new Astra is getting a low-CO2 version to compete in the green market. Named ecoFLEX, the new Astra uses an updated version of the 1.3-liter CDTi engine that was co-developed with Fiat and produces 95 horsepower. This engine, along with the usual refinements to aerodynamics, higher gear ratios and low-rolling resistance tires, helps the model achieve a CO2 emission rating of 109 g/km and fuel consumption of 4.2 l/100 km (56 mpg U.S.). For British buyers, this means that the Vehicle Excess Duty (VED) is £35 per year and that the model is elegible for other fleet tax benefits. The good news is that the car is also offered in different trims to suit the owner's desires. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Vauxhall]

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Volvo trucks has announced new field tests of bi-fuel methane-diesel engines in partnership with seven different Swedish companies, adding a new technology to the brand's at-fuel tests with DME and hybrid engines. The new engines, which are based on the Euro-V compliant 7-liter model, reduce fuel consumption by 25 percent compared to standard diesels thanks to methane's lean combustion. The system still uses a small amount of diesel fuel which is injected and ignited by the compression, which in turn ignites the methane gas/air mixture. This saves wear and tear on the spark plugs and allows Volvo to reuse the current emission systems, saving costs. Using methane also guarantees that these trucks keep the same usability as other versions. Methane, or natural gas, can also be obtained from renewable sources. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Volvo Trucks]

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Want an oil-burning little box? Europeans can. They are able to get the boxy Nissan Cube with a Renault-sourced 110 hp 1.5 liter diesel engine, thanks to the underpinnings that are related to the Nissan Micra and the Renault Clio. The engine is only Euro-IV compliant, but regulations in Germany are pushing the the company to introduce a new 1.5-liter diesel Euro-V compliant engine for next October. The best news comes at the pump: the current diesel Cube burns 5.2 l/100 km in the Euro mixed cycle, which is about 45 miles per gallon U.S., although it goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 miles per hour) in 11.9 seconds. Europeans can also get an already Euro-V-compliant 1.6-liter gasoline model, which can be mated to CVT transmission.

[Source: Auto News]

The new year means it's time for Peugeot to update its 1.6-liter HDI diesel engine and adapt it for the Euro V specifications. The new engine gets two additional horsepower added to the current 110 hp and its torque is increased by 12.5 percent. The existing overboost function increases available torque up to 270 Nm (200 pound-feet) when the gas pedal is pressed. The improvements come from a revised combustion chamber that lowers the compression ratio and reduces emissions. The new engine also comes with Diesel Particulate Filters as standard. Fuel consumption is officially rated at 5.3 l/100 km (44 miles per gallon U.S.). The model will first be seen under the Peugeot 308CC hood, where it becomes the base diesel offering, but we expect the engine to be present in all PSA vehicle and European Fords very soon. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Peugeot]

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Some people believe that the battle for low fuel consumption in passenger cars is a competition between diesel and hybrid gasoline cars. These two contenders are also fighting it out in resistance races, where the way to beat diesels such as the Peugeot 908 HDi and the Audi R15 TDI seems to be: go hybrid. This is exactly what Porsche might have in the works.

According to Japanese Auto Sport, Porsche is developing a hybrid version of the 911 GT3 (the above photo shows the 2009 version) that could debut in May's 24 Hours of Nürburgring in Germany. Hybrid drive isn't a new technology for the Stuttgart marque – Panamera and Cayenne hybrids are in the works – but this time the system might be going from the road to the track, not the other way around.

[Source: Auto Sport via Le Blog Auto]

China has announced the extension of the country's vehicle scrappage scheme for 2010. Motorists will be able to trade in cars that are considered "highly pollutant" and receive a state subsidy worth between 5,000 yuan (about $730) and 18,000 yuan ($2,600), which is a significant increase over last year's maximum of 6,000 yuan. A "highly polluting" car is either a gasoline car that doesn't qualify for the first tier of Chinese emission regulations (e.g., early VW Santanas) or diesels that don't qualify for the third tier. Although dressed in green colors, this policy is really aimed directly at increasing sales in the Chinese auto market. The plan was allocated 5 billion yuan this year, compared to 1 billion last year.

[Source: Gasgoo]

France had one of Europe's most ambitious "cash for clunkers" plan, but the fun will end in the new year. Starting January 1st, France's program will only pay out the largest award – €1,000 – to buyers of just one model: the smart fortwo cdi. The reason can be found at the tailpipe.

Starting in 2010, buyers of cars with CO₂ emissions between 116 and 125 g/km will get a €200 clunkers bonus; those that emit between 96 and 115 grams qualify for €500, and only cars that daintily spew between 61 and 95 g/km get the maximum €1,000 bonus from the French Government. The smart fortwo cdi produces just 88 g of CO₂ per km.There are two other models that qualify for a special maximum bonus: a subsidy worth 20 percent of the value of the car. These are the Tesla Roadster and the Reva, which both fall into the "less than 60 g/km" category.

France's southern neighbor, Spain, has decided to carry on its current scrappage plan, although it will be limited to €100 million in total awards. This fund is expected to run out next summer. Spain's program offers a €1,500 bonus to new car buyers, plus €500 for cars emitting less than 120 g/km CO₂.

[Source: Le Blog Auto, El País]

Ford of Europe has its headquarters in the German city of Cologne (Köln), so an electric vehicle partnership between the city and the automaker doesn't come as a surprise. Ford of Germany, the city of Cologne, RheinEnergie AG, and the University of Duisburg-Essen have signed an agreement to deploy a fleet of 10 Ford Transit delivery vans for use in the inner city, where the zero-tailpipe emissions and reduced noise of the EV can be maximized. Ford is (obviously) supplying the vans and RheinEnergie will supply carbon-neutral electricity for these vans, while the city is installing charging points and defining the best routes for the trucks to use. The University of Duisburg-Essen will be in charge of the technical study, which has the goal of coming up with a plan to implement an EV charging network in the region.

[Source: Ford]

After the call for offers by La Poste, the French Postal Service, a 250-unit contract for electric delivery vans has been awarded to the Citroën Berlingo First. The model, which is based on the standard Citroën Berlingo, features batteries and a powertrain developed by Venturi. The specs? A three-phase electric motor good for 42 kW (57hp) using nickel and sodium chlorine batteries that provides a range of 100 km (about 60 miles) with a maximum speed of 110 km/h. Using a standard European 220V plug, an 80 percent charge takes 5 hours. Life expectancy is about 1,000 cycles. Work-wise, the Citroën Berlingo First is able to load up to 3 cubic meters (105 cu. ft.) and 500 kg (1100 lb) of payload. These electric vans will join the first 100 electric quads, called Quadéo, which are used for the postal service in the 7th and 8th districts of Paris

[Source: Venturi and La Poste]