Search: More on the Porsche Cayenne Diesel
Price: £39,404
On sale: Now
0-62mph: 8.3 seconds; top speed 133mph
Average fuel: 30.4mpg
Standard equipment: six-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission featuring sequential-shift function, electronic Porsche Stability Management and Traction Management, longitudinal lock, selectable low-ratio gears, hill-hold function, air suspension (optional) for extra ground clearance, side and curtain airbags, auto climate control, leather, height-adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable front seats, central locking and electric windows.
Why a diesel version now?
It was hardly the exclamation of a kid at Christmas. In fact, Porsche’s official announcement, that it would finally bring a diesel engine into its hallowed halls, sounded downright reluctant: “This decision was taken in response to changed legal regulations especially in European markets, resulting in tax incentives for vehicles with diesel engines. Furthermore, the Porsche stake in Volkswagen Group, the world’s largest manufacturer of modern diesel engines for passenger cars, has opened up new opportunities to utilise sporty compression-ignition technology.”
Hardly gushing, but understandable. When you bear in mind that until only very recently any journalist who’d uttered the D word at a Porsche event might have been frogmarched back to the airport, probably clad in a hair shirt and force-fed humble pie, the arrival of the Cayenne Diesel, however it drives, is momentous at just that. If we can see “diesel” and “Porsche” on the same tailgate, whatever next? An eco Rolls-Royce, a computer-designed Morgan? Maybe even a good-looking Ssangyong.
No mention of the D word on the outside
Not that this Porsche flagrantly displays its credentials: there’s no over mention of its black secret on the outside. The engine’s largely a surrogate affair, nicked from the Audi workshop. It’s the 240bhp 3.0 V6 unit fitted in both the Q5 and Q7 SUVs as well as in the closely-related Volkswagen Touareg. They’ve tinkered with those piezo-injectors though and added a spot of signature variable-turbine geometry turbo technology, as per the 911 Turbo and 911 GT2, while throwing in a custom exhaust to seal the deal. And if you fear acoustic disaster from Dr Diesel’s deathly clatter, the windscreen’s also thickened to mop up any excessive emanations.
Gearbox and steering feel are unchanged from the petrol model
Yet the sensory aspect of the diesel Cayenne, in the event, marks little to report: the cabin is as exquisite as any non-diesel Cayenne’s, the gearbox and steering feel just as precise and refined and there’s nothing more agrarian to fear than the view out of the window, should you venture from the suburbs. No wonder Porsche UK has its money on this being the range’s future best seller. In motion, this is theoretically very un-Porsche: huge traction at low revs. But in reality, you’re too busy enjoying the car’s large dollops of surge to sit back and question such things.
is the Cayenne diesel the green option?
Does the diesel Cayenne mark a new departure for petrol’s star proponent? Looking further ahead, Porsche’s momentum towards hybrid energy may leave this model in an engineering cul de sac: hybrid’s imminent for Cayenne and already planned for the limousine Panamera. And hybrid, sadly, always means petrol and electric, even if diesel would be the more logical fossil fuel option.
In the meanwhile, if you buy a Cayenne diesel, there’s more than enough to save SUV haters. It coughs out just an optimum of 35.8mpg with a fair wind and just 224g/km of CO2. Not bad for a 2.2-tonne all-wheel drive automatic behemoth.
Experience included in the price
The price, incidentally, includes half a day’s expert tuition at Porsche’s fabulous Silverstone Driving Experience Centre. Having just spent a session there at the helm of the new Panamera, every minute is well-spent. You’re given precious experience in how to handle and safely retain your investment, should you find yourself in a situation where safe control of your car is in danger. In the Cayenne’s case, it includes some hands-on guidance in getting out of mud. Not that the Cayenne needs help – off road, it’s a wonder.
To sum up...
It’s a Porsche. It’s a diesel. Get over it.
