India, Nov. 6 -- The Indian automotive market has been the domain of fierce competition for years, an intricately woven play of consumer preference, shifts in policy, and technological advancement that never seems to stop. Yet, amidst the electric push and the ubiquity of the reliable petrol engine, the diesel powertrain continues to hold a near-sacrosanct position in the minds of those who track their kilometre-per-litre figures with an almost religious zeal.

The simple, non-negotiable truth is this: when it comes to outright fuel efficiency, the diesel engine is, mechanically and chemically, superior. This isn't just about the price differential at the pump; it's a deep-seated engineering advantage.

The key differences begin, however,...