Only 12 Automakers Have Never Made A Diesel Engine

Diesel engines have played a significant role in the automotive industry. Rudolf Diesel’s invention, aimed at creating a more efficient internal combustion engine, found early uses due to its durability and fuel economy. These engines powered factories, generated electricity, and drove heavy-duty vehicles across land and ships across the sea. The appeal of these benefits later came to cars, particularly in areas where fuel efficiency and low-rev torque were valued.

• Aston Martin

  Aston Martin is a luxury sports car and supercar manufacturer from Britain with a history spanning more than 110 years. Famous for models including the DB series, Vantage, and Vanquish, the brand’s current lineup includes the DBX SUV, DB12, Vantage, Vanquish, Valkyrie, and Valhalla. Though Aston Martin has gone through a number of ownership changes in its century-long history, it’s found stability currently as a publicly traded entity, with Canadian businessman Lawrence Stroll owning a controlling stake in both the road car and Formula 1 divisions.

  Founded

  15 January 1913

  Founder

  Lionel Martin, Robert Bamford

  Headquarters

  Gaydon, United Kingdom

  Owned By

  Publicly Traded

  Current CEO

  Adrian Hallmark

• 

  Ferrari

  Ferrari is an Italian manufacturer of sports cars, supercars, and luxury grand tourers founded by and named after Enzo Ferrari in 1939 – originally as Auto Avio Costruzioni due to legal complications with Alfa Romeo. Ferrari famously only produced roadgoing sports cars as a means of funding its racing exploits, which include multiple F1 World Championships and wins at Le Mans and various other prestigious races. Today, Ferrari is one of the most valuable brand names in the world, limiting production of its highly-sought-after models to maintain desirability, which is in no short supply when they’re powered by some of the world’s most advanced V6, V8, and V12 engines.

  Founded

  1939 (as Auto Avio Costruzioni)

  Founder

  Enzo Ferrari

  Headquarters

  Maranello, Italy

  Owned By

  Publically Traded

  Current CEO

  Benedetto Vigna

However, a number of prominent automakers have historically chosen a different path, some because they maximized their expertise in gas engines, and others simply because they are new brands that only make electric vehicles.

1

Aston Martin

Aston Martin has cultivated a distinguished history of crafting luxury grand touring and sports cars. They have traditionally been powered by inline-six, V8, and V12 engines. The British automaker’s engineering focus has been on refining the power and responsiveness of its gas engines to provide a driving experience that is both sophisticated and engaging. The company has never produced or developed diesel engines for its vehicles. The current Aston Martin model with the most power is the Valour, equipped with a 5.2L twin-turbocharged V12 engine.

2

Bugatti

Bugatti’s legacy is one of producing highly engineered, opulent, and exceptionally powerful cars. From the visionary designs of Ettore Bugatti to the modern era under the Volkswagen Group with the groundbreaking quad-turbocharged W16 engine, the brand has consistently aimed for the pinnacle of automotive performance.

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Bugatti’s cars have remained committed to high-output gas powertrains. The Tourbillon, a next-generation hypercar featuring a hybrid powertrain, is Bugatti’s entry for its most powerful car. This system combines a naturally aspirated 8.3-liter V16 gas engine with a trio of electric motors. The front e-axle alone has a maximum torque of 2,213 lb-ft, while the combustion engine adds another 664 lb-ft.

3

Ferrari

Ferrari’s history is steeped in the tradition of high-performance gasoline engines, a legacy. From the early roar of V12 engines to the sophisticated power of modern turbocharged V6s and V8s, the Italian automaker has consistently prioritized power and engaging driving experiences.

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This dedication to gas is deeply rooted in Ferrari’s racing heritage, where the sound and responsiveness of the engine are crucial to the thrill of competition. There has never been any indication of Ferrari venturing into diesel engine development or production. As of now, the SF90 XX Stradale is the Ferrari with the most power. It has a hybrid that pairs a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with three electric motors. Ferrari only reports the torque for the combustion engine, coming in at 593 lb-ft of torque.

4

Genesis

Hyundai launched Genesis as a standalone luxury brand in 2015, spinning off from its successful Genesis sedan. The move aimed to compete with established premium automakers like Lexus and BMW. Early challenges included establishing brand recognition and building a separate dealer network. Genesis has focused increasingly on design and driving dynamics, coupled with technological advancements, and award-winning customer satisfaction.

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Genesis has explored a number of exciting powertrains over the years, but the most potent of all charges into the lead with almost 500 horsepower.

Initially, the lineup featured the G80 (formerly the Hyundai Genesis) and the larger G90. Genesis differentiated itself with a focus on value, offering comparable luxury and features at a lower price point. The G70 sport sedan then debuted in 2018, earning acclaim, including North American Car of the Year. SUVs followed, with the GV80 and GV70. The current Genesis model that produces the highest torque is the Electrified GV70, an all-electric SUV propelled by dual electric motors that generate 516 lb-ft.

5

Lamborghini

Lamborghini’s history presents a unique situation. Lamborghini Automobili, the renowned manufacturer of sports cars, was established in 1963 and has exclusively produced high-performance gasoline engines. However, its origins lie with Lamborghini Trattori, founded in 1948, which did manufacture diesel engines for its tractors. Ferruccio Lamborghini’s initial success was built upon his tractor designs. They had patented fuel atomizers, which allowed modified Morris engines to operate on diesel fuel.

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However, his later entry into the sports car market was marked by a direct rivalry with Ferrari, with a focus on powerful gasoline engines. The Lamborghini that delivers the most power is the Revuelto, a hybrid supercar that combines a naturally aspirated V12 gasoline engine with electric motors.

6

Lotus

Lotus Cars has long been celebrated for its production of lightweight sports cars, and it is renowned for its exceptional handling. Guided by Colin Chapman’s philosophy of “simplify, then add lightness,” Lotus has historically favored smaller, high-revving gasoline engines. Those have primarily been inline-four and V6 engines, many of them borrowed from Toyota and modified for more power. The brand’s emphasis on agility and driver engagement has meant that the higher weight and characteristics of diesel engines have never aligned with the core tenets of the sports car brand.

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As of now, the Lotus that delivers the highest torque is the all-electric Evija hypercar. It utilizes four electric motors to produce nearly 2,000 hp. And while it is no longer a lightweight car compared to Lotus cars of old, a small battery means that its curb weight of 3,704 pounds is remarkably light for an EV.

7

Lucid

Lucid Motors was established in 2007. It initially operated as Atieva, focusing on the development of electric vehicle batteries and powertrains. The company rebranded as Lucid Motors in 2016 with the explicit intention of producing all-electric luxury vehicles. Its flagship Lucid Air sedan showcases its advanced electric powertrain technology and class-leading efficiency, being the only EV with an EPA range of more than 500 miles. The current model with the most torque is the Lucid Air Sapphire, featuring a tri-motor all-wheel drive system.

8

McLaren

The McLaren name has a dual history in the realm of engineering. J&H McLaren & Co. was a British company created in 1876. It expanded into making diesel engines in 1926 with a partnership with Benz. These engines were used for transportation and farming. However, J&H McLaren ceased operations in 1959. In contrast, McLaren Automotive, which is known for making high-performance sports cars, was founded in the 1980s. It has never produced a diesel engine. The brand has focused on delivering performance through powerful gasoline engines, primarily in V8 configurations, usually with turbochargers.

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The modern McLaren’s identity is intertwined with cutting-edge technology and a top-end experience for drivers. For those goals, high-revving gas and electric engines are preferred over diesel. McLaren’s torque leader is the W1, a hypercar with a hybrid powertrain. It combines a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine.

9

Polestar

Polestar’s journey began as the performance division of Volvo, specializing in enhancing the power and handling of Volvo’s gasoline-powered vehicles. While Volvo itself has a history of producing diesel engines, Polestar was strategically repositioned in 2017 as an independent brand, dedicated to the production of electric vehicles, although its first car was the gas-PHEV Polestar 1.

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As an electric vehicle manufacturer, Polestar has never developed or produced diesel engines under its own brand name. Its portfolio consists of battery-electric vehicles except for the Polestar 1, with a strong emphasis on performance and range. As of now, its most powerful vehicle is the Polestar 3 with the Performance Pack, which features dual electric motors and AWD.

10

Rimac

Rimac was established in 2009 by Mate Rimac. It was created with the objective of designing, engineering, and manufacturing high-performance electric vehicles and powertrain systems. This has resulted in groundbreaking hypercars like the Nevera. The company’s entire history is rooted in electric propulsion, with no involvement in the development or production of internal combustion engines. While there has been some discussion about potentially exploring other fuel sources in the future, Rimac’s present identity remains firmly electric.

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Rimac’s torque champion is the Nevera R, an all-electric hypercar featuring four electric motors. And although Rimac is an electric brand, the Bugatti-Rimac entity is not, and since the two automakers have joined powers, hybridized hypercars like the Bugatti Tourbillon have appeared. As for Rimac-branded cars, however, they are all electric.

11

Rivian

Rivian Automotive, founded in 2009, has been dedicated to the production of all-electric adventure vehicles, including pickup trucks and SUVs. Like Tesla, Rivian has focused exclusively on electric powertrains, with no history of developing or producing internal combustion engines, including diesel. Its vehicles utilize a distinctive “skateboard” platform that houses the battery pack and electric motors. The current Rivian model that boasts the highest torque is the 2025 R1T Quad Motor, featuring four in-house-developed electric motors that deliver more than a thousand horses.

12

Tesla

Tesla was founded in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. They aimed to prove that electric vehicles could be superior to gasoline cars. Elon Musk became chairman and significantly influenced the company’s direction after investing heavily. The Roadster, a high-performance electric sports car based on the Lotus Elise chassis, debuted in 2008. It showcased the potential of electric powertrains but was expensive and produced in limited numbers.

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The Model S sedan, launched in 2012, marked a turning point. It offered a greater range and practicality, and while cheaper, it was still in the luxury price bracket. The Model X SUV followed, and subsequently, the more affordable Model 3 sedan, greatly expanding Tesla’s market reach. Unsurprisingly, the company has never produced or indicated any intention of developing internal combustion engines, including diesel. As of now, Tesla option with the most power are the Model S Plaid and its Model X Plaid counterpart, featuring a tri-motor all-wheel drive powertrain.

Sources: McLaren, Forza Magazine, Bugatti, Planet Auto, Lotus, Polestar, Footman James, Tesla, Hyman Ltd., TFL Truck, Lucid.