Why would anyone want a diesel for offloading? They're really heavy and the torque is all wrong. Good for towing etc, but not best choice for a real hunting rig in my opinion...
There a number of reasons turbodiesels are by far the popular choice for outback and offroad here in Oz. Among them are the really good torque curve, and the ability to pull at really low revs, which is ideal for gnarly conditions crawling over rocks or pulling through mud, as well as making them feel effortless to drive. They also use a good deal less fuel than a comparable petrol motor, which is not just about saving money but also means a great deal more range for a given size of fuel tank. This makes a difference when it can be a long way between fuel supplies. It is also a good deal safer to carry in jerries, for those times when you need to do so. My last four vehicles have been turbodiesels for these reasons, and they've all done a lot of time on tracks and offroad.
Here in Oz four out of the top five sellers among all cars are 4x4 diesels, month after month. The Hilux, with its turbodiesel motor, is regularly the biggest selling car in Australia.
