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.
Köln – The diesel engine's era may be fading, with only a scant 10% market share in new car registrations in Germany in 2026. Before the Volkswagen diesel scandal was revealed in 2015, nearly every other new vehicle was powered by a gasoline engine, even sports cars and convertibles. The diesel's 1893 patent predicted it would revolutionize transportation, yet its creator, Rudolf Diesel, never imagined it would become so ubiquitous.
Initially, the diesel engine aimed to improve efficiency in large stationary engines and marine propulsion. By the 1920s, diesel engines were successfully adapted for trucks and early car prototypes, but it wasn't until 1936 that diesel finally challenged the gasoline engine in passenger cars. While Cadillac and Maybach dazzled with their refined V16 and V12 gasoline engines, Mercedes-Benz surprised the world with the luxurious yet uncompromisingly powerful 260 D (W138) diesel sedan, emitting dark sooty clouds from its tailpipe.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
