What feature was inherent in Rudolf Diesel's initial compression-ignition engine design that differentiated its fuel requirements from early gasoline engines?

It was designed from the outset to run on a diverse range of fuels, including whale oil and ammonia

A core aspect of Rudolf Diesel's vision, as reflected in his 1893 patented compression-ignition engine, was fuel flexibility. Unlike the nascent gasoline engine, which quickly became sensitive to the quality and volatility of straight-run gasolines, Diesel's design was engineered to operate efficiently on a wide spectrum of energy sources. This flexibility meant the engine could utilize various distillates, even substances as disparate as whale oil or ammonia, relying instead on extreme compression to achieve auto-ignition. This inherent tolerance for different heavy distillates contributed to its rapid adoption in heavy transport sectors like trains and ships.