2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel crossover SUV

2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

In a somewhat confusing move, German carmaker has revealed a fuel-efficient version of its highly successful Porsche Cayenne SUV powered by… a 3.0-liter diesel engine. OMG.

Do not get me wrong: I like diesel-powered SUVs. I own one. I am flabbergasted by the fact that Porsche has decided to equip their performance-oriented sports utility vehicle with such an anemic oil-burner outsourced from an entry-level VW Touareg.

The engine in question is a 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel engine retuned to produce a maximum power output of 240hp (+15hp over the standard powerplant) and a peak torque of 550Nm (+50Nm).

Delivering an average fuel economy of 9.3L/100km (25.3 mpg) and emitting only 244g of CO2 per kilometer, the engine will be more than adequate for those concerning about money and their carbon footprint but still craving for a Porsche in their garage.

However, it’s highly unlikely that the oil-burner will be able to provide the Cayenne Diesel with 0-100km/h acceleration better than 10 seconds or so, effectively loosing the performance battle even to the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 CDI SUV.

And the Mercedes is also more fuel efficient!

In Germany, it is about €6000 more expensive, though: The Porsche Cayenne Diesel will sell at €47,250. Why couldn’t they have installed the much more powerful V10 TDI engine?

Damn that fuel economy.

Photos: Porsche

See also: Porsche Cayenne Diesel to arrive by March 2009