Diesel engines offer a promising solution to some of our pressing energy challenges. They are generally more efficient than traditional gasoline engines and come with relatively few disadvantages. However, the design of a diesel engine is crucial; a poorly designed one can lead to significant issues.

For example, the 1979 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Diesel was equipped with a diesel engine that became notorious for its performance problems. The engine was unreliable and inefficient with fuel usage. Many experts attribute the decline of the American diesel engine market to the dismal performance of these engines in the Cutlass Supreme. Despite these issues, there was one notable upside: the engine blocks of the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme were exceptionally well-made and robust, making them a favored choice among race car drivers even today.