Filed under: SUVs, Green, Audi, Porsche
3-liter Audi diesel confirmed for Porsche Cayenne
Many will cringe at the idea of a diesel-powered Porsche, but since Stuttgart rolled out its first SUV, we've all had a while to get used to the idea. Although previous speculation held on to hopes that Porsche might employ a more powerful 3.2-liter oil-burner, reports now indicate that the Cayenne diesel will employ Audi's 240-horsepower 3.0-liter TDI V6.
Expect the diesel Cayenne to debut next March, following a probable launch at the 2009 Geneva auto show.
[Source: Automotive News Europe - subs. req'd]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
info 5:06PM (6/23/2008)
Why is it that some people will cringe at the thought of a diesel powerd Porsche but get all excited about the diesel powere Audi R8?
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BigMcLargeHuge 5:11PM (6/23/2008)
Well I think the prospect of 500hp and 700tq in an R8 was too good for even a diesel-hater to ignore.
Johnny 5:28PM (6/23/2008)
People cringed at the 768lb V12 diesel as well.
Frylock350 6:01PM (6/23/2008)
Those who fear diesel performance should look up the Duramax powered 60's Impala, a 6,000lb car which absolutely wrecks a Gallardo in a drag race.
BigMcLargeHuge 7:40PM (6/23/2008)
I'd cringe at the pricetag if they ever released it, but other than that the idea sounded like perfection.
why not the LS2LS7? 7:32PM (6/23/2008)
I'm sure it's 6,000lbs. The engine must be enormous.
Michael 5:20PM (6/23/2008)
I for one welcome our new torque-crazy overlords.
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MemphisNET 7:16PM (6/23/2008)
+1
Paul H. 5:27PM (6/23/2008)
Of course, this wouldn't be the first diesel powered Porsche...
http://www.porsche-diesel.com/gallery.aspx
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Serge K. 5:49PM (6/23/2008)
Great job using Google to search for "diesel porsche".
Kotse 6:11PM (6/23/2008)
Lambos also has that legacy...an aircooled diesel tractor(as in this 6/08 Ebay listing)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-lamborghini-tractors-diesel-85-hp-4wd-12-speed-pto_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a552Q7c39Q3a1Q7c65Q3a12QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem150251159762QQitemZ150251159762#ht_500wt_0
nick 5:36PM (6/23/2008)
I don't get the diesel movement, it makes little sense to bring one over right now..
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jordan 7:52PM (6/23/2008)
Yes, it diesel costs more at the pump at the moment, but it's more than offset by the potential energy difference. Yes, you need to have more equipment to meet U.S. emissions standards, but you still have the potential for better fuel economy.
Geeky1 5:38PM (6/23/2008)
"Many will cringe at the idea of a diesel-powered Porsche..."
Actually, it's the idea of an audi-powered Porsche that made me wince...
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zamafir 7:56PM (6/23/2008)
ooo... then you better stay under that rock for a while and pay no attention to the Cayenne with the same VR6 VW uses over in the european market.
Geeky1 8:09PM (6/23/2008)
I'm well aware of what's under the hood of the V6 Cayenne; and the 914, and the 924, for that matter. Just because it's been done before doesn't make it any less nasty this time around.
rsfourever 6:35PM (6/23/2008)
this is the kind of BS that pisses me off. Porsche is taking full advantage of audi's technology and capabilities (diesel engines), all the while trying to hurt audi every step of the way (for example, not allowing Audi to use the "TT-RS" name because Porsche has the "RS" suffix for some of its cars)...
please Porsche, lay off VWAG - don't kill Audi's sports division, lamborghini, and bugatti...
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Jacob 9:28PM (6/23/2008)
240HP is an amazing amount of horsepower for a 3.0L diesel. I mean, 240HP would look good even for a 3.0 petrol engine. I suppose the torque is pretty good on this engine as well. Why can't VW offer its SUV with this engine in the USA?
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zamafir 5:31PM (6/23/2008)
Because americans won't buy it in numbers to justify the cost :). Plus it's a hell of a lot better in the A5 and ill take that over any porsche offering for the money.
Vik 5:38PM (6/23/2008)
because in the States diesel isn't as common as it is in Europe: in the USA few stations offer it, it costs more than petrol, it has a little market share and customers are still skeptical with it.
Please correct me if I'm wrong.