We can't make a general statement that all petrol cars are now approaching the towing capability of diesel based on this one report, but it does show that this petrol vehicle is a perfectly capable to car as well as its twin brother, the diesel.
The differences require the driver to accept some changes in the charateristics but you would have to make similar allowances if you changed to any other make or model of car.
But this particular report is good example of how petrol vehicles should not be dismissed just becasue its petrol.
The biggest issue is the change in economy, petrol using more fuel, but take into account the tax breaks and the relative small percentage of mileage done towing, the running cost differences over a year may not be big as they first seem.