Filed under: SUVs, Green, Porsche
Porsche Cayenne Diesel finally confirmed
Various news outlets have speculated that Porsche's first-ever diesel engine would be installed in the Cayenne SUV for 2009, and now Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking has confirmed it. As previously reported, the oil-burner will be snatched from the Audi parts bin and reportedly be essentially unchanged in Porsche guise. That means 240 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft. of torque, plenty to get the hefty Cayenne out of its own way. Instead of spending development money on a Porsche-specific diesel engine, Zuffenhausen has instead invested in a hybrid system, which will also see duty in the Cayenne around 2010. By then, a lithium-ion battery will likely be ready to replace the prototype's nickel-based unit.
[Source: Auto Bild via AutoblogGreen]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Avinash machado 11:11AM (8/09/2008)
Brand dilution at its finest. Also an insult to Porsche fans and purists. Not that I could afford a Porsche anyway.
Reply
WhyNotTheC63? 2:03PM (8/09/2008)
Let's hear your thoughts on the R8 V10 TDI that will undoubtedly eventually dilute Audi more so than they are already.
Assuming they build it, which they probably will, they will be raised to never before seen heights for the brand just like the R10 TDI did for Le Mans. No one [everyone] saw it coming and it took how long to catch up?
WTF does my comment have to do with dilution?
I don't remember. But I want the R8 Le Mans TDI if/when it shows itself.
Dan H 1:54PM (8/09/2008)
Please, give Porsche some credit. They know what they're doing.
What better way to lure the suckers who have too much money but no sense of driving into paying for 911 engineering efforts?
why not the LS2LS7? 2:15PM (8/09/2008)
The R10 is a joke. The other teams can't catch up because the rules aren't equitable for gas cars. They aren't even close. So no privateer who buys their motors from Judd or the usual places can compete in LMP1.
It is quite likely the ACO will adjust the rules in Le Mans next year to be more like ALMS (IMSA) uses, and the exclusive reign of the Diesels at Le Mans will be over.
The R10 can't even beat the first-year (or even faster FSI second-year) R8, probably not even with the oversized fuel tank the R10 had in the first year.
I think the (street) R8 V10 is nonsensical too, but we'll just have to see for sure when it becomes real.
why not the LS2LS7? 11:24AM (8/09/2008)
"Every Porsche is a race car."
Reply
martin 11:57AM (8/09/2008)
i saw a q7 today with a 4.0 tdi, i never knew that engine existed but why dont porsche use that. if they are going to use a diesel it may aswell be the biggest one, hell why not the brilliant v10 tdi
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 12:20PM (8/09/2008)
Because the V10 TDI gets crappy fuel mileage?
They already have a lot of Porsche Cayennes for people who care more about speed than mpg. Why make one more?
J M C 3 12:58PM (8/09/2008)
Diesel Porsche SUV.
I never thought I'd see those 3 words together.
Reply
davet 9:41PM (8/10/2008)
Wasn't that long ago that the idea of "Porsche SUV" was unthinkable. Still is, come to that.
J.A. 1:02PM (8/09/2008)
With the Cayenne, Porsche brought spoiled housewives and corrupt officials of third world countries into its target demographic. Now I guess they are going after truck drivers, who like to have that doesn't-like-to-rev feeling in their own car.
Since the company doesn't care about its brand anymore, why don't they make another cheap entry level model? 4 cylinders, lightweight, keep it relatively low-tech, make it with cheap American labor, simple options and equipment, some interesting paint options and a healthy markup could be a nice combination for those of us who miss the 944/968.
Reply
WhyNotTheC63? 1:34PM (8/09/2008)
They don't care about the brand?
Lets state a couple of reasons you're wrong...
Companies (believe it or not) are out to make money.
Porsche is one of the most profitable brands per unit in the world.
Porsche has the right to provide the automotive market with whatever they think will fill a hole and make a buck.
If they beleive they could sell a pick-up truck with their name on it, by all means, they wuld do so.
Forthcoming Panamera--they couldn't let the Maserati Quattroporte and Benz S63/S65 take all the Hi-lux sedan market, could they? It, like the TDI powered Cayenne, will go on sale, likely run low on inventory or sell out, and you'll be proven wrong.
why not the LS2LS7? 2:17PM (8/09/2008)
Per unit? So you're just saying that Porsche makes expensive things?
I'm guessing there are many boat-makers who make a lot more money per unit than Porsche, make them like peanuts.
What kind of silly measure is profit per unit?
J.A. 1:05PM (8/09/2008)
With the Cayenne, Porsche brought spoiled housewives and corrupt officials of third world countries into its target demographic. Now I guess they are going after truck drivers, who like to have that doesn't-like-to-rev feeling in their own car.
Since the company doesn't care about its brand anymore, why don't they make another cheap entry level model? 4 cylinders, lightweight, keep it relatively low-tech, make it with cheap American labor, simple options and equipment, some interesting paint options and a healthy markup could be a nice combination for those of us who miss the 944/968.
Reply
RLQ 4:39PM (8/09/2008)
Long over due.
Reply
Das Boese 7:19PM (8/09/2008)
Digging their own grave, one shovel of dirt at a time...
Reply
Joce03 8:03PM (8/09/2008)
To play the devil's advocate, the Cayenne has given Porsche a great source of revenue. That revenue is the reason why Porsche is able to develop and bring to market great driver's cars like the Cayman S, the GT3, GT3 RS, GT2, etc. Look, I hate the Cayenne too - its the opposite of what Porsche means to me - but they sell.
Reply
why not the LS2LS7? 10:44PM (8/09/2008)
Poor old Porsche. They were so desperate for revenue they could barely afford to buy the largest automaker in Europe, VW.
Their quest for profit is no more noble than anyone else's.
DriveCritic 1:10AM (8/11/2008)
I agree. At the end of the day, it's all about the money and Porsche have done well for themselves with the Cayenne. Sure, it's a kick in the nuts for Porsche purists but has the Cayenne really stopped them from buying the latest 911 GT2/3, 911 Turbo etc? I can't say it has - win-win for Porsche.
----
This post has been listed on http://www.DriveCritic.com/