Porsche reconfirms Cayenne diesel

DESPITE British reports that diesel is dead at Porsche, the German company has reconfirmed that it intends to launch an oil-burning version of its new Cayenne large SUV.

The big wagon – which is set to be launched in Australia with a trio of petrol engines about mid-year – will likely be the last Porsche model to offer diesel power after the recent axing of Macan and Panamera diesel variants.

In a statement clarifying its position in the face of overwhelming speculation that diesel was finished within the brand, Porsche reiterated that buyer interest in diesel engines was waning as consumer interest increased significantly in petrol and hybrid vehicles.

“For example, the ratio for hybrid versions of the new Panamera in Europe is around 60 per cent,” Porsche said in its statement. “In light of these facts, Porsche has adapted its production planning.

“This decision means that Porsche currently does not offer any vehicles with diesel engines. However, it does not mean a diesel exit at Porsche.

“As announced, the new Cayenne is set to feature a diesel powertrain. The exact time of the market launch is not yet clear.”

Most pundits had expected Porsche to grab the Audi-developed 320kW/900Nm 4.0-litre turbo diesel V8 that powers the flagship of the Q7 line, the SQ7, as well as the diesel version of Bentley’s Bentayga.

However, Porsche has held back, and has not explained what it has in mind for Cayenne’s diesel, but we could speculate that Volkswagen’s next-generation Touareg – due to be launched at the Beijing motor show next month – might hold the key.

The new Cayenne is built on the same MLB modular platform as the Touareg and Audi’s Q7 and Q8, among others within the VW family, and so it makes sense to share powertrains.

After the pain of Dieselgate that cost Volkswagen plenty and triggered a family fight between Porsche and Audi, the Touareg is likely to debut at least one new squeaky clean, thoroughly tested diesel engine that Porsche might be happy to take.

Alternatively, Porsche might be waiting for Audi’s V8 diesel engine to pass the full scrutiny of Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).

Porsche has confirmed it has been in discussions with the KBA about diesel issues.

A petrol-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain lifted from the 500kW Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid is also expected to be offered in Cayenne at some point, joining the three petrol launch engines – an entry level 3.0-litre turbo V6, hotter twin-turbo 2.9-litre V6 and flagship 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

The petrol V8 is an all-Porsche development, sticking out 404kW of power and 770Nm of torque in Cayenne Turbo guise.

From next year, Porsche is set to jump head first into electric vehicles, launching an all-electric production version of its Mission E concept that, in show form, boasted 440kW of power, a driving range of 500km and a zero-to-100km/h sprint time of 3.5 seconds.

The new Porsche EV is expected to be a global vehicle, with right-hand-drive variants destined for Australia.