Filed under: SUVs, Green, Porsche, Rumormill
Porsche Cayenne diesel arrives in early '09
click above for more high-res images of the Porsche Cayenne GTS
We have been expecting a diesel engine option for the Porsche Cayenne for a while, and it appears that March of 2009 may be the date. While Porsche purists the world over may be upset over an oil-burner underhood (or under trunk) of any Porsche model, we don't see the big deal. After all, it's not like the Cayenne, despite what Porsche would have you believe, has all that much 911 DNA in it anyway. A modern diesel engine could help Porsche meet new fuel economy regulations for a lower cost than a hybrid, and the diesel V6 engine sourced from Audi should prove plenty capable of hauling the SUV's mass-tonnage around. Though Audi's current TDI six displaces 3.0 liters and is good for 240 HP and 406 lb.-ft. of torque, rumors indicate that Porsche will be using a 3.2 liter version of this engine that makes at least 300 horses. We think that should do rather nicely.
Gallery: 2008 Porsche Cayenne GTS
[Sources: Automobilwoche (translated), German Car Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tankd0g 3:05PM (6/17/2008)
I'm so over diesel. Call me when it is at least on par with gasoline prices again.
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FotoGenetix 3:07PM (6/17/2008)
i feel you, i used to be such a diesel fan
Geeky1 3:29PM (6/17/2008)
The price itself isn't the only factor though; there's a point that's reached (based on mpg) where the diesel is still cheaper to run than the gasoline powered vehicle. The question is whether the diesel in question can reach that point or not.
Chris 3:29PM (6/17/2008)
10% higher pump prices and 20+% more efficiency = do the math.
tankd0g 3:35PM (6/17/2008)
Extra purchase cost of vehicle, 20% gain in milage is a pipe dream for most, more maintenance with bluetec and other new emissions schemes. YOU do the math.
Dude 3:40PM (6/17/2008)
Gas engines with VVT/DI/HCCI will make the case for diesel even bleaker.
David 8:05PM (6/17/2008)
I don't get the "pipe dream" comment. I regularly got 56 mpg on the highway and 48mpg combined in my Golf 1.9TDI. How much does a regular Golf get? Oh, yeah.
tankd0g 9:35PM (6/17/2008)
56mpg or even 46mpg in a Cayenne. Pipe dream. Get it?
why not the LS2LS7? 9:11AM (6/18/2008)
If VW make an economy-minded gas Jetta here, it would probably have better running costs than the Diesel Jetta (at current Diesel prices).
tankd0g 10:06AM (6/18/2008)
VW apparently can't make an efficient gas engine so comparisons of what a diesel VW gets to a gas one are laughable. The City Golf, supposedly their most frugal gas model in Canada, gets Cobalt milage. Hilarious. It probably spends less time getting towed to the dealer during the winter than a late model VW diesel though, so there's that...
Pacman 3:05PM (6/17/2008)
It better be fast. Fuel economy and slow or even "capable" dont cut it as a Porsche. I know a Diesel can be fast so hopefully this one will come through as fast and efficiant. Porsche still should not have an rebadge VW SUV to begin with, but that is a different story.
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Pacman 3:08PM (6/17/2008)
how come no one ever complains about all the badge engineering of this SUV? Granted it is well done badge engineering but still.
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Dude 3:21PM (6/17/2008)
You answered your own question. It's well done.
BigMcLargeHuge 3:29PM (6/17/2008)
That might be by the end of the summer.
Sorry, but people claiming that diesel has met its end have been looking at a 6-month time window. That is not enough data to make a long-term prediction.
This last month it's held steady. Diesel might be peaking, despite oil's aggressive price acceleration and gasoline continuing to rise.
Diesel went up too fast. And the shipping and agricultural industries are at that break point. It literally might not be able to go past there. When the profitability of shippers and farmers actually filling their tanks is in the negative, diesel comes back down. They absolutely have to be able to drive them tractors.
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp
I predict they both meet at $5/gallon by August. Gasoline might very well exceed diesel price by the end of the year.
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Pacman 3:36PM (6/17/2008)
This thing better get increased MPG the GTS version has worse fuel economy than the Cadillac Escalade. Too bad only the escalade is targeted as the poster child for excess. But really what is more excessive and pointless than a fast tarted up VW Tourag SUV? Its just rich soccer moms going taking the kids to practice, right. I mean how many actually take this to the track? Just posers.
Of course I am just kidding but it does not seem like the same attacks are made against this equally ineffeciant vehicle as the GM trucks get.
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elongated man 3:42PM (6/17/2008)
Do people who buy a Porsche SUV really care if the truck gets better fuel economy? It is about going fast and flaunting your money - that is it. I am not sure a diesel is going to excite potential Porsche customers unless it is faster than the other versions - doubtfull. Porsche people dont tow things so dont give me that angle.
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Greg 3:48PM (6/17/2008)
A lot of Porsche people tow a lot of things. Track cars, tires, tools, etc. I'll agree that a good percentage of these are being used as a minivan for the kids, but I would love to tow a car to the track, unload the gear, and then race both.
Greg 3:43PM (6/17/2008)
Excellent. A turbo diesel Cayenne.
Because saying that you picked up the new "Cayenne S-TD" has a nice ring to it.
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Pacman 3:47PM (6/17/2008)
I bet that burns
Dan 4:28PM (6/17/2008)
Audi sourced 3.0, blah, I'd rather have the 5.0 V10 they sold in the Touareg a couple years ago.
(And in the interest of disclosure, stopped selling because it had the highest pollution score on the EPA scale...)
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