Diesel cycle fuel compositions are described containing at least one dianhydrohexitol compound according to the general formula 2 and/or its derived hydrocarbyl ethers or nitric ethers compounds, where the R′ and R″ substituents are both H or one or both of R′ and R″ is alkyl, cycloalkyl or phenyl, or one or both are —NO2. A preferred fuel composition is that containing dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) added or not of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) as ignition improver. The dianhydrohexitols compounds form compositions with at least one of the components selected among petroleum-derived diesel fuel, biodiesel, ethanol and water. The mixture of DMI and ISDN has excellent cetane number (IQT). Still, the oxygenated nature of the dianhydrohexitols and related compounds of the fuel compositions inhibits soot formation upon burning of the said Diesel cycle fuel compositions.