1980s

1985: ATI Intercooler diesel engine from DAF. European Truck Common Rail system with the IFA truck type W50 introduced.
1986: BMW 524td, the world's first passenger car equipped with an electronically controlled injection pump (developed by Bosch).[26] The same year, the Fiat Croma was the first passenger car in the world to have a direct injection (turbocharged) diesel engine.[27]
1987: Most powerful production truck with a 460 hp (340 kW) MAN diesel engine.
1989: Audi 100, the first passenger car in the world with a turbocharged direct injection and electronic control diesel engine.[28]
1990s

1991: European emission standards Euro 1 met with the truck diesel engine of Scania.
1993: Pump nozzle injection introduced in Volvo truck engines.
1994: Unit injector system by Bosch for diesel engines. Mercedes-Benz unveils the first automotive diesel engine with four valves per cylinder.[29] Medium speed high horsepower locomotive, ship and stationary diesel engines have utilized four valves per cylinder since at least 1938.
1995: First successful use of common rail in a production vehicle, by Denso in Japan, Hino "Rising Ranger" truck.
1996: First diesel engine with direct injection and four valves per cylinder, used in the Opel Vectra.[30]
1997: First common rail diesel engine in a passenger car, the Alfa Romeo 156.[31]
1998: BMW made history by winning the 24 Hour Nürburgring race with the 320d, powered by a two-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine. The combination of high-performance with better fuel efficiency allowed the team to make fewer pit stops during the long endurance race. Volkswagen introduces three and four-cylinder turbodiesel engines, with Bosch-developed electronically controlled unit injectors.[32] Smart presented the first common rail three-cylinder diesel engine used in a passenger car (the Smart City Coupé).[33]
1999: Euro 3 of Scania and the first common rail truck diesel engine of Renault.