Porsche‘s Cayenne off-roader will come with a diesel engine from February 2009.
The VW-sourced 3.0-litre V6 engine will be capable of 30.4mpg, a distinct improvement over the 21.9mpg of the most frugal petrol Cayenne. The 240PS engine has been provided by Audi and brings emissions for the big 4×4 down to 244g/km.
The first vehicles will be in Porsche dealers in February with customers getting their hands on cars around the same time.
Porsche was unable to comment on whether the Cayenne will receive either of Audi’s V8 or V12 diesels or whether emissions will come below the 235g/km barrier for company tax. Porsche’s double clutch system, PDK, is not expected to make it into the Cayenne either, with the Tiptronic auto system being preferred.
While the Cayenne emissions are not yet low enough to reduce its tax bill, Porsche expects the diesel to open up the brand to a host of new customers.
A spokeswoman for the brand said: “The diesel widens our audience, the petrol market is very small in this segment. Fleet customers may well be part of this.”
