Carmaker Audi may be bringing a fuel-efficient version of the upcoming TTS to American shores in 2009. Their diesel port of the sporty art car achieved 44 mpg in Europe's fuel economy test, while preserving the look and at least some of the performance of previous models.

Audi, of late, has been perfecting the diesel engine in order to kill engine knock, startup noise, and overall ride roughness. The TTS is the fruit of that labor.

The guys at Popular Mechanics took one for a test drive to see if the car's new thrifty outlook has damaged its street cred. Suitably named London reporter Andrew English says, "Overtaking others seldom needs a single gear change. And the refinement is exemplary, with only a slight buzz through the steering wheel betraying the fact that this is a diesel."

The reviewer also spoke kindly of the auto's styling from the "binnacle" to the "boot," also known as the instrument panel and the trunk. He did, however, have some reservations about the precison of the handling and suspension. It has a top speed of 140 mph and makes the trip from 0-60 in 7.5 seconds. That's two seconds slower than the non-diesel, but still impressive. If your jaw hasn't dropped already, maybe the price tag will do it. It's brother starts at $66k.

Audi is noncommittal about whether it will export the eco-roadster to the U.S. I've written about the painfully unfair availability of stylish eco-cars in Europe before. Maybe this one will make it across the pond and pave the way for some of the EU's other best kept secrets.