Quick Spin: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel delivers torque and efficiency with negligible compromise

Michael Harley — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Porsche, Diesel, Quick Spins

Porsche Cayenne Diesel - Click above for high-res image gallery

Porsche sells no fewer than seven different Cayenne models in the U.S. All share the same unibody platform and permanent all-wheel drive system, but each is differentiated by its powerplant, brakes, suspension, and accessory list. Whether you are a blasé soccer mom or an exec hell-bent on embarrassing the dude in the sports car at the traffic light, if you're willing to write the check, Porsche has a Cayenne model with your name on it.

The selection is generous, but there is something missing from the mix. As of right now, all North American-bound models have an appetite for premium unleaded fuel. With the price of high-test wavering on the expensive side, Porsche has been diligently engineering hybrid and diesel-powered Cayenne models to significantly reduce pain at the pump.

While the automaker has announced the sale of Hybrid Cayenne next year, it's on the fence about offering the diesel model on this side of the Atlantic. Proudly showing off its latest wares, and teasing us with what we can't have, Porsche let us sample a Euro-spec Cayenne Diesel model... on our own turf.

Gallery: Quick Drive: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel delivers torque and efficiency with negligible compromise

Quick Spin: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel delivers torque and efficiency with negligible compromise originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: VW to axe Porsche Cayenne and Panamera after merger

Chris Shunk — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:56:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, SUV, Porsche, Rumormill, Luxury

2010 Porsche Panamera - Click above for high-res image gallery

The past couple years have been a whirlwind for Porsche. The German luxury sportscar maker tried in vein to buy out the much larger Volkswagen only to come within a $700 million VW loan of bankruptcy. During that time, Porsche managed to hatch the all-new four door Panamera while refining much of the rest of its product lineup.

Nobody really knows what's going to happen to Porsche product lineup once VW takes over the mighty little sports car manufacturer, but CAR Magazine in the U.K. seems to think that the change will be dramatic. Namely, the British site says the cash-printing Cayenne SUV and the fresh on the market Panamera will be on the outs when the vehicles' product cycles end in seven years. CAR says VW chairman Ferdinand Piech is planning to take a more brand-specific approach to Porsche by focusing on the two seat sportscars that make the Stuttgart, Germany-based sports car maker great. One vehicle often rumored is a roadster that could slot below the Boxster in the Porsche lineup. The entry Porsche could be based on VW's Modular Sportscar Structure (MSS), giving Porsche an entry level mid-engine sports car for the rest of us (who have at least $35-40k).

While it makes sense for Porsche to focus on core products like the 911 and Boxster, it also makes abundant sense to keep profits coming. The Cayenne sells in relatively high numbers here in the U.S., and the Panamera could well end up being a success story in spite of its controversial aesthetics. Seven years is a long time, and we could easily see one or both vehicles surviving beyond 2016.

[Source: Auto Observer]

Rumormill: VW to axe Porsche Cayenne and Panamera after merger originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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