I think when we compare a 617 with 120 HP and 170-ish ft-lb of torque, we are really looking at a turbo engine. A stock 617 non turbo makes something like 80 hp and 120 ft-lb of torque. These are certianly not more than a chevy V-6, which itself isn't the highest specific HP/torque engine ever produced.

I drive a 190D 2.2 daily (non-turbo) and I can definitely tell you that is NOT as fast as a wide vareity of 2.2 liter gasonline cars in the 2500 - 3000 lb category.

I think people think Diesels make more torque just because they are Diesels when in reality, it is because they are turbocharged. In fact, that is the true value of the Diesel combustion cycle from a torque standpoint: They can be turbocharged without the threat of spark knock. The amount of boost they can handle is a great deal higher than a gasser with a reasonably high compression ratio.

Sholin

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What else, '73 MB 280 SEL (Lt Blue)
Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.