[mikem]

I was sent a copy of Porsche`s "news update" in the post yesterday and there`s a diesel Cayenne being launched in Feb `09, 3.0d 240hp/550Nm. Maybe everyone already knows but I stopped buying the mainstream car mags at the beggining of the year and hadn`t heard about it on Top Gear etc.

So after them saying for the last few years they`d never fit a diesel engine, is this a sign of things to come or just a one off to help Cayenne sales ?

[Carrera RSR]

The Cayenne has given Porsche a massive cash injection as sales have been well above their expectation as a 'niche' manufacturer. This is with many saying its ugly. However they cannot ignore the fact they need to keep their sales going forward in the near future and see the numbers they are missing from ML 270d and X5 3.0d, the two biggest premium/luxury 4x4's on the market. A diesel will add to their sales which will replace the few petrol sales they will lose as some of their customers tighten their belts. Commercially it needs to be done. I haven't seen the details but they have access to some good VW/Audi diesel engines. I doubt it will be long before the W10 engine gets dropped in from the Toureg (after all it is the same basic shell)

[beemerbird]

I can bore you with the details from the December Porsche newsletter:

Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) (first seen on the 911 turbo in 2006) combines the advantages of large and small turbochargers in one system with adjustable guide vanes channelling exhaust flow onto the turbines, enabling higher turbine speeds at lower rpm. They claim this eliminates turbo lag.

3.0 litre turbo diesel Piezo-controlled fuel injectors, 550 Nm developed at 2,000 rpm, 240 hp @ 4,400 rpm, 30.4 mpg (combined) and a range of 621 miles. Tipronic S transmission as standard, 0-62 8.3 seconds. 133 mph top speed. Cayenne Turbo S petrol 0-62 4.8, 174 mph.

Exhaust system combines an exhaust recirculation system, an oxidation catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter. The recirculation system channels some of the exhaust gases back to the combustion process, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions when the engine is hot and increasing combustion efficiency when cold. CO2 emissions 244 g/km.

The brochure states that prices start at £40,250 to the limits you set.

Agree with carrerasr's comments as to reasons why they've launched a diesel.

[Porscha!]

They've just launched it to help Cayenne sales as far as of can see. If it does the trick it doesn't matter really as they'll be able to put effort and development into more great cars.

[marriedblonde]

Originally Posted by carrerarsr

The Cayenne has given Porsche a massive cash injection as sales have been well above their expectation as a 'niche' manufacturer. This is with many saying its ugly. However they cannot ignore the fact they need to keep their sales going forward in the near future and see the numbers they are missing from ML 270d and X5 3.0d, the two biggest premium/luxury 4x4's on the market. A diesel will add to their sales which will replace the few petrol sales they will lose as some of their customers tighten their belts. Commercially it needs to be done. I haven't seen the details but they have access to some good VW/Audi diesel engines. I doubt it will be long before the W10 engine gets dropped in from the Toureg (after all it is the same basic shell)

Agreed.

One minor point though the ml270 was the previous model. The new one is badge ml280

J.

[dxb335d]

want a limp powered engine for such a heavy motor. Utter tosh.

[Porscha!]

It's a Porsche it could never be tosh even the Cayenne.