History of the diesel car developments (Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Peugeot/Citroën, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Volkswagen Group) There were also small diesel engines produced in England by British Leyland and Perkins. For reasons of economy the petrol BMC "B" series engine was dieselised and produced in capacities of 1.5 and 1.8 litres. Perkins produced the 4.99, 4.107 and 4.108 engines all of which were extremely reliable. Later BL produced the five main bearing "O" series engine which was extremely strong. Petrol turbo variants could make 200HP and the engine was ideal for converting to a diesel. In fact, the 1988 Austin-Rover MDi unit (also known as the 'Perkins
Diesel Electric railmotor (VR) Diesel Electric railmotor (VR) The Diesel Electric Rail Motor (DERM) was a railmotor operated by the Victorian Railways of Australia. Originally built as a Petrol Electric Rail Motor (PERM), they were the longest-lived railmotor on the Victorian Railways, with the first entering service in 1928 and the last being withdrawn in 1991. The first was built by the Newport Workshops to a design of the St. Louis Car Company. They were powered by Winton Motor Carriage Company petrol engines, until those were replaced in the 1950s by twin Diesel Electric engines providing a power output of . A DERM, with