I already know what you’re thinking. “This guy is high on something, for real!!!!! Now we even have proof! First, 2-strokes, understandable. Then, he goes ga-ga over 2-strokes! Okay! Now he sees potential in DIESELS ?!”
Chill out petrolheads! I know why you guys and gals hate diesels. They are heavy, sluggish, unrefined, cannot be redlined, and make that irritating “krr-krr” sound. But hold up, hold up! In your love for petrol engines, you petrol lovers forgot that there is a flipside to this. Diesel has its own advantages. Diesel engines make more torque, and since they are more relaxed, they are more economical, in the sense that they give better fuel economy numbers, and you have to make fewer gear changes, and you can just relax on the highway and do whatever you want. So that you, my beloved enthusiast, can finally roast that “Kitna deti hai” snob and ensure that every time you take out your diesel Fortuner, he is looking at you with green-eyed jealousy and wishing that he was you. Anyways, back to reality! Where was I? Yeah! So, diesel engines also happen to burn fuel about 33 percent more efficiently than petrol, and they accelerate more smoothly, ensuring better towing and hauling capabilities, and, diesel is less volatile compared to petrol, which ensures better safety. So, if you light up a can of diesel by mistake, don’t worry! It will burn slowly and won’t explode, like petrol, so my friend, you will have enough time to run away, text your family, call the fire station, and live happily ever after! Since I am supporting diesel cars today, and all you petrol-lovers are against me, to prove my point, I will mention my list of top 5 diesel cars, you can buy, with amazing tuning potential. Drumroll! Let’s get going!
1. Volkswagen Polo GT TDI-Man, this thing is a charm! First of all, you have the Polo, which promises amazing handling, chassis balance, high-speed stability, stiff suspension, minimal body roll, and amazing tuning potential! No wonder this car is so widely used in motorsport! Second, you have an amazing 5-speed manual transmission, for the true enthusiast. Last but not the least, the main reason why it’s on the list. The engine! It comes with a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, turbo-diesel, gem of an engine, the TDI! It is already a complete hooligan in stock form, and with some clever turbocharging, better air filter, and here and there, you have a 300 bhp and 300+N.m beast at your disposal, that will wheelspin launch to glory, carve corners, rev up till around 6000 rpm like a petrol, and ensure that there is a smile plastered on your face! By the way, to add salt to the wounds of petrol lovers, this thing also has a stonking midrange, and torque so abundant that the TSI owners of the Polo can only dream of. If you can’t find it in the used car market, don’t worry! The TDI is also available in the Skoda Rapid or the Volkswagen Vento(the Polo’s platform siblings), to achieve your German mini-missile dreams, though in those cars the engine might be in a lower state of tune. I would only say one thing-do a thorough background check and take a proper test drive before buying anything from the used car market. This also applies to other cars from this list which are discontinued, and can be only found in the used car market.
2. Maruti Suzuki Swift/Ciaz-Both of these cars, have a lot of tuning potential! Especially the Swift! If you are going for the Swift, it is recommended to go for the earlier generations, the first or the second. They come with the 1.3-litre Multi-jet engine from Fiat, which is an absolute gem. The specs in stock form might sound underwhelming, but hold up! It is quite practical, reliable, strong, tunable, and gives some of the best fuel economy numbers in the business. When it comes to tuning, you can give it a nice remap, air filter, and even slap a big ol’ turbo in it! Since the Swift and Ciaz are Marutis, and have a reputation of being cheap, economical, easy to maintain and reliable, the sky is the limit with what you can do with them! You can literally do whatever you want, and you don’t have to worry about additional part replacement costs and other headaches.
3. Ford Figo S-Now, you might want to go for this one, but if you do not get it, just go for any Figo with the 1.5-liter diesel. That diesel powerplant is amazing! The whole package will give you a charming little hot hatch, with a stonking mid-range and amazing handling in the corners. Obviously, you can modify it to extract it’ s full potential.
4. Mahindra Thar-The Thar is obviously, a legend. You know how capable it is, and I do not even need to tell you. It already has quite a lot of off-road capability, and the new one can also be used as a daily car.
5. Toyota Fortuner-Ah! Last but not the least! The legend is here! Again, I do not need to tell you that the All-wheel-drive Fortuner with the 3-ish liter turbo-diesel is a very capable car, and giving it better, bigger tires and some off-road mods will make it a complete beast.
So, this was my list! Thank you petrol lovers, for reading my argument patiently. I don’t know if all of you will agree with me, because I know that there is nothing like redlining a petrol car, but I hope you see the potential in this. And on that disappointment, see you around, if you still want to prove me wrong;)
Oh, before I sign off, an honorable mention in this list would be the earlier generations of the diesel Corolla. I would love to go ga-ga over it, but then again, do not feel the need to explain.
