Porsche Cayenne Goes Diesel

With the official announcement that the Cayenne will feature a borrowed-from-Audi 3.0-Liter V6 TDI, Porsche is specifically aiming at making its entrance on the low-consumption car segment. Porsche has also applied this strategy to other featured models like the 911, which got in the summer of 2008 an optimized direct injection system.

Another key fact in developing the Cayenne diesel is the change in the European regulations regarding the diesel engines, resulting in a incentive tax method. Porsche is also planning to launch a hybrid diesel version of the Cayenne mainly for the U.S. market.

Expected to further reduce average consumption and exhaust emissions, the Cayenne will be a worthy competitor for the Japanese Lexus RX models.

Used on both Audi and Volkswagen, the V6 TDI power unit proved itself to be an economical and yet very powerful engine.

The 3.0-Liter V6 power unit produces 240 horsepower and a huge 550 Newton meters of torque which complements the sport chassis of the Cayenne, giving the car great dynamics, while providing a high degree of control resulting in the driving enjoyment specific to the Porsche brand.

Porsche officials also stated that in the last financial year of 2007/08, 45,478 units of the five models incorporated in the Cayenne were sold, thus another reason for Porsche's Cayene lineup extension.

Expected to hit the European markets in February 2009 and onwards, the Cayenne diesel will feature the proven Tiptronic-S automatic gearbox as standard, boasting a base price of 47,250 EUR.

In Germany, the Cayenne diesel, with the country-specific equipment, will reach a price of 56,436 euros including 19% VAT.