Auto-Technik: Wie der Diesel die Welt eroberte – und sie wieder verlor
Noch vor einem Jahrzehnt war der Diesel so wichtig, dass selbst Porsche ihn verbaute. Dann bremste ein Betrugsskandal ihn aus. Ein Rückblick zum 90. Geburtstag des Antriebs.
Diesel engines once dominated the automotive market, but their reign is fading. By 2026, hybridized internal combustion engines will hold nearly 90% of new vehicle sales in Germany. The diesel engine's journey began in 1893 when German engineer Rudolf Diesel patented his efficient engine, which operated without spark plugs. Initially, it was designed to power heavy machinery and ship engines, but it wasn't until the 1930s that diesel engines began to challenge gasoline-powered cars.
Mercedes-Benz made a splash with their luxurious but rugged 260 D model in 1936, featuring a diesel engine in the undercarriage that produced a smoky exhaust. Despite its initial promise, diesel's market share has declined dramatically.
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