There will be a few hybrids and electrics at the upcoming Geneva motor show, but the cars most Europeans buy are diesels, and nobody expects this to change in the foreseeable future. Happily, car manufacturers are good at making diesels, and they always make them thriftier and thriftier. Both Ford and Volvo will introduce new engines for their high-selling compacts in Geneva. Ford’s showing an updated Focus, with a revised front fascia, a second generation SYNC infotainment system, some driveline changes for more road feel and comfort, and new 1.5-liter engines. There are two of them, one gas, one diesel, but both with turbocharging and direct fuel injection. The gas engine is labelled EcoBoost, it gives 180-hp. The diesel makes much less power: 115-hp, but it’s the fuel economy leader by far. Drivers should experience more than 60 mpg on the road. That is better than a Prius.

The Volvo V40 is even better, more ambitious too, but also much more expensive. Its new diesel engine is a 2-liter, and it’s leading the industry with an incredible 36,750 PSI fuel injection system. This engine also has a smart control system of each cylinder’s injector for more precise operation, and the result is absolutely incredible. The Volvo V40 got a 71 mpg combined rating with it! More than that, this isn’t a slow car. This high efficiency 2-liter gives 190 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The most sober versions of the Peugeot 308 and the Volkswagen Golf gets slightly better fuel economy, but with much less power. Considering the power to fuel economy ratio, this Volvo V40 is now leading the industry.