Porsche has added a second diesel model to its Porsche Cayenne line-up as part of efforts to further boost its sales potential in the face of increased luxury SUV competition.
The new Cayenne S Diesel runs the latest evolution of Audi’s 4.2-litre V8 diesel engine and makes its debut a the Paris motor show.
With twin variable vane turbochargers and the latest in piezo valve guided common rail injection technology, the 90-degree unit kicks out a BMW X6 M50d beating 377bhp and 626lb ft – an increase of 140bhp and 221lb ft on the existing single turbocharged 3.0-ltire V6 diesel engine found in the popular Cayenne Diesel.
According to Porsche’s own performance figures, the added reserves are sufficient to haul the four-wheel drive Cayenne S Diesel from standstill to 62mph in 5.7 seconds and to a top speed of 157mph. They also help extend its towing capacity to 3500kg.
Combined economy is rated at 34.0mpg and CO2 emissions at 218g/km thanks to various fuel-saving technology including stop-start.
As with rival BMW and its new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder diesel engine, Porsche says it has worked hard at providing the new V8 diesel, which is also earmarked to join a facelifted Porsche Panamera line-up in 2013, with a distinctive sound, which it likens to its more traditional V8 petrol units.
The strong torque qualities of the big diesel has also led to a unique set-up for the Cayenne’s four-wheel drive system, with torque vectoring set to offered as optional equipment.
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Cayenne V8 diesel
Bring it on! You Land Rover fans are brainwashed. Even most of the staff at Autocar are too. The facts are that Land Rover products are more likely to dump you on the side of the road than almost any other make. The AA carry more Land Rovers on their flatbeds than any other make. They have serious design flaws, like ECUs which let in water after only a few months from new. I have had plenty of LR products, and speak from experience. My son is securely employed repairing LR products. I drive a V6 diesel Touareg and would definitely consider a V8 diesel Porsche next. Well done Porsche. The visyal dimensions of the new cayenne are well balanced. The Range Rover looks like a hearse which would topple over at the first roundabout. I hope there are many range Rover fans who are now upset. But you are deluding yourselves, there are so many vehicles I would buy before I would have another Range Rover.
Why did it take so long?
It has always struck me as odd that you could buy an Audi Q7 or VW Touareg with substantially higher-output diesel engines than was available in the Cayenne.
I assumed that it was either a) internal VAG politics, or b) Porsche not really wanting to have a high-performance diesel taking the shine of their petrol models. a) is perfectly believable, but b) seemed unlikely, since the Cayenne is a great big cash cow for Porsche and a bigger willy-waving diesel engine would bring in more cash.
Anyway, glad it's finally here and I can stop laying awake at night pondering SUV madness...
About time and surely a sales
About time and surely a sales hit.
Enough grunt to tip hardened Porsche-petrol only fans into thinking of a diesel Porsche.
Panamera must surely follow.