It is not about numbers. It is about the way the power is delivered. Even a 5,000rpm petrol engine makes (can make) a beautiful noise, and can be revved to 5,000rpm.
A diesel makes a crappy noise (in trying a car, you admire the noise for a petrol, the silence for a modern diesel...do you imagine a Ferrari without the noise?), and the power delivery is not sporty. It revvs and then power falls...Not good for the sporty, racing feeling.


Yes, of course. Modern diesel are perfect for cars like the 5er, E-Class, or even S or 7er: very powerful, very silent, quite refined, economical.

However, you don't want the motor of your Porsche to be very silent, do you? And if a diesel is not silent, it makes a rather unpleasant noise. Quite a problem for a sportcar. I don't say every diesel is crap, I don't say petrol is always better.

I only say a diesel has nothing to do under the bonnet of a Porsche.

Furthermore, you can't revv the diesel as you revv the petrol, because power falls after 4,000/4,500rpm...No redline pleasure. No thrill. No screaming noise.

Perfect in a sedan, even in a sporty one. But nor for a sportcar or a Porsche.