Lots of cars are programmed like that because it makes them "feel faster". The first bit of accelerator travel does a lot, and then as the pedal goes down, the actual throttle is already open well before it reaches the floor.
In addition, you have a transmission with something like a 4.2:1 first-gear reduction ratio and a torque converter that is multiplying torque right off the start (which is what they do).
The diesel one probably won't be so lurchy, because there is no torque converter.
Ease gently into it, is all you can do.
If the manufacturers softened the initial throttle response, then people would complain that it's sluggish ...