[CommandoFrank]

Bingo... the diesel is famous for high torgue at low RPM. Low RPM equals long engine life...

I love my Ram Diesel...

[Dan Evans]

I love my Ram Diesel...

Maybe you can answer this question. Why do people who own diesel powered vehicles leave them idling when they are parked? Do you love that obnoxious sound or is it the nauseating stink?

[-YYZ-]

Also efficiency. Typically, losses to friction increase with engine speed. Also partly because diesels just cannot rev high reliably - the high compression ratios and combustion pressures require very heavy pistons, con-rods and so on, limiting the maximum rpms.

The most efficient internal-combustion engines in the world are very large (hundreds of litres per cylinder), very slow turning (60 rpm?) marine 2-stroke diesels. These engines consume less fuel per unit of power output than any others. I think I've read the very best are somewhere around 50% efficiency, whereas you car's gasoline IC engine is doing about 25% at best.

I can't find the original link to the info on this engine, but check this puppy out:

http://www.k4viz.com/12-Cylinder.html