History of the diesel car Its 1.3 L XL4D engine produces at 5,000 rpm. Following the 1970s oil crisis (1973 and 1979), Volkswagen introduced their first diesel, the VW Golf, with a 1.5 L naturally aspirated indirect-injection engine which was a redesigned (dieselised) version of a gasoline engine. Mercedes-Benz tested turbodiesels in cars (e.g. by the Mercedes-Benz C111 experimental and record-setting vehicles) and the first production turbo diesel cars were, in 1978, the 3.0 5-cylinder 115 hp (86 kW) Mercedes 300 SD, available only in North America, and the Peugeot 604. The biggest single step forward for mass-market diesel cars came in 1982 when PSA
DESA (company) engine assembly began in 1996, RK 215 engine production began in 2000. In 2009 the company unveiled Iran's first indigenous heavy diesel engine, the D87. A dual fuel (gas / diesel) version is also to be produced. The company produces diesel generators for permanent and emergency electricity supply. 104 units have been supplied to the Iran Telecommunications Company. The company is a supplier to both the Iranian Islamic Republic Railways and the Raja Passenger Train Company. DESA has manufactured the Ruston RK 215 diesel engine for the AD43C mainline diesel locomotive, of which 70 units were manufactured by Wagon Pars.