The petrol varsion has max torque and power at 4000 and 6000 rpm respectively. The diesel on the other hand has the same at 2000 and 4000 rpm respectively. Rest assured the diesel has ample power and torque for all your needs. The tyre noise may be more due to different type of roads you drive in. On tarred road its negligible, however its a different story altogether on concrete and unpaved roads. Most tyres are made for tarred roads. You could experiment with different tyre compounds. Softer compound tyres would give you a cushioned ride at the cost of weak sidewalls (which might be prone to get damaged easily) compared to harder compounds. Based on your requirements you could check the tyre forum to get the tyre best suited for your needs. Just check the manufacturing dates on the tyres before you buy them. They should not be more than 6-8 months old. Also, sometimes tyre pressure is also a culprit. Adhere to manufacturers recommendations should cause you no harm.