The Fastest Diesel Cars: Combining Speed, Efficiency, and Innovation

Diesel cars aren’t as popular as they used to be, and many of the fast diesels from back in the day are no longer around. But there are still a few hidden gems out there. We’ve gone through the numbers to find the fastest diesel cars still available. If you want a car that’s fun to drive, handles long trips well, and won’t drain your wallet at the petrol station, these are the ones to check out.

BMW M340d xDrive – Performance Redefined in a Saloon

The BMW M340d xDrive isn’t a full M model, but it definitely delivers. Under the hood, it’s got a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six that puts out 340hp and 516lb-ft of torque. On top of that, it can cover 700 miles on a single tank and manage a solid 35mpg, which makes you question why more people aren’t driving fast diesel cars like this one.

The torque steals the show. It gives you a real punch in the mid-range, which makes the car feel far more powerful than its specs suggest. And the sound is very sporty for a diesel.

Mercedes-Benz E 400 d AMG Line – Luxury Meets Power

The Mercedes-BenzE-Class 400 d AMG Line offers a solid mix of power and comfort. It features a 3.0-litre inline-six-cylinder diesel engine paired with a mild-hybrid system that boosts the power output by 22hp. The result is 390hp and a hefty 554lb-ft of torque, and all of that is sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic.

This isn’t a car built for tight cornering. With four-wheel steering, it’s easier to handle, but the main focus is comfort. The technology inside is impressive but feels a bit over the top, like the selfie camera for video calls.

Audi S4 TDI – Balancing Speed and Utility

The Audi S4 TDI proves that lighter is faster. It has the same 3.0-litre mild-hybrid TDI diesel engine as the S6, but it’s 0.2 seconds quicker to 60mph. It has 341hp, but it’s the torque that stands out. It’s pretty much in line with the North American version, which reaches 60mph in 4.4 seconds.

It may not jump off the line as quickly as a petrol car, but once you’re cruising, overtaking will be easy. Plus, it’s way ahead of the competition, with 40.9mpg under the WLTP standard.

Porsche Panamera 4S Diesel – A High-Speed Luxury Saloon

The Porsche Panamera 4S seems odd — Porsche and diesel don’t usually go together. But that’s what Porsche does: they break the rules. It’s no surprise that their fastest diesel car is also the fastest on our list.

It’s powered by a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8, the same diesel engine found in the Bentley Bentayga Diesel and Audi SQ7. If you have the Sport Chrono package, it can go from 0 to 60mph in just 4.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 177mph. The car delivers 627lb-ft of torque at just 1,000 rpm. It’s also an exciting mix of power and efficiency, achieving 35mpg.

BMW M550d xDrive – Quad-Turbo Diesel Engineering

The BMW M550d xDrive isn’t messing around with its engine — this thing has four turbochargers. The 3.0-litre inline-6 diesel engine pushes out 400hp and a massive 561lb-ft of torque, which is available from just 2,000rpm. Thanks to its clever setup, there’s 330lb-ft of torque available from as low as 1,000rpm.

The engine works by using two smaller turbos for low-end power and two larger ones for higher revs. One of the big turbos stays off until you really push the pedal, and when it does kick in, the car takes off like a rocket. With all that power, it’s still surprisingly efficient at 45.5mpg.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport – Off-Road Luxury with Performance

The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a proper British legend, and it’s hard to ignore. This is the kind of ride that brings luxury and muscle together in a way few can match. It weighs in at over two tonnes. Still, it can go from 0 to 60mph in an impressive 6.8 seconds, thanks to its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine.

With up to 37mpg, the Rover Sport is pretty efficient for its size. It’s comfortable, powerful, and more than capable when you venture off the beaten path. When things get tough, you can count on it to handle any terrain without breaking a sweat.

Volkswagen Golf GTD – A Hatchback for All Occasions

The VW Golf has a reputation for being a great all-rounder. It’s reliable, performs well, is fuel-efficient, and packed with modern features. It’s the kind of car that looks good anywhere, no matter if you’re at a fancy hotel or the supermarket.

The GTI is a classic, but the VW Golf GTD offers a quieter alternative. It swaps the GTI’s 242hp petrol engine for a 197hp diesel. It’s a bit slower; it reaches 60mph in 7.1 seconds instead of the GTI’s 6.3 seconds. But it’s much more efficient — 54mpg compared to the GTI’s 38mpg.

BMW X5 M50d – The SUV with Hypercar DNA

Here’s another BMW, and it’s hard to ignore. When it comes to fast diesel cars, they know what they’re doing. This time, it’s the BMW X5 M50d, an SUV that’s ready to challenge the rivals.

It’s powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine with four turbochargers, which is a feature you’d expect in hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron. This setup produces 395hp, enough to launch this heavy SUV from 0 to 60mph in 5.2 seconds. Despite its size and power, the X5 M50d is surprisingly efficient and delivers 41mpg.

MINI Cooper SD – Fun and Efficiency in a Compact Package

The MINI Cooper SD is the diesel version of the lively Cooper S. It still has that go-kart feel that makes every turn enjoyable but with fewer fuel stops along the way.

The 2.0-litre diesel engine puts out 168hp, just a little less than the Cooper S’ 189hp, but it’s still plenty quick. The 0-62mph time is 7.2 seconds, so it’s only a fraction behind the Cooper S, which hits it in 6.7 seconds.

Where the SD does its job well is in terms of fuel economy — it does 68mpg, compared to the petrol version’s 42mpg.

Maserati Ghibli Diesel – Italian Flair with Diesel Power

To finish things off, let’s talk about the Maserati Ghibli, an Italian saloon. It was the first Maserati to offer a diesel engine, which caught a lot of attention and helped bring in new customers. Interestingly, about three-quarters of Ghibli buyers go for the diesel version.

The Ghibli is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo V6 that puts out 271bhp through an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It’s quick, too, going from 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds, and still gets nearly 50mpg. It’s not as common as the German options, but driving a Maserati definitely makes a statement.

Diesel Race Cars – Pushing Limits on the Track

Audi R10

Diesel race cars like the Audi R10 and Peugeot 908 showed the power of diesel engines in motorsports. Both vehicles were fitted with V12 turbodiesel engines producing over 700hp, which allowed them to reach speeds of over 215 mph. The Audi R10 made history in 2006 as the first diesel-powered car to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Peugeot 908 also had a strong performance in endurance races and showed powerful torque and high-speed capabilities.

Other cars making waves in the scene include:

• Audi R18 TDI
• Volkswagen Golf TDI Cup Car
• Mazda 787B Diesel

These cars demonstrated that diesel engines could handle high-performance racing and changed perceptions of diesel in motorsports. Normally, races are dominated by petrol engines like the 1.6-litre V6 turbo engines in Formula 1 cars, the 5.0-litre V8 engines in NASCAR, and the 2.0-litre turbocharged engines used in the World Rally Championship.

But fast diesel cars have found their place in short, intense sprints, as well.

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Conclusion – Why Diesel Cars Continue to Thrive

We’ve hopefully given you a good sense of just how many great options are still up for grabs and which are the fastest diesel cars. It’s clear that German manufacturers, particularly BMW, dominate the scene. If you’re someone who craves speed but also wants to make every drop of fuel count, these cars hit the sweet spot — powerful on the road and surprisingly fuel-efficient. What’s not to like?