Porsche’s communications department has release information indicating that the company will in fact sell a diesel-powered version of the Cayenne SUV.
The benefit to Porsche? The obvious benefit is that consumer demand has finally forced even the sportiest of automakers to consider satisfying consumer demand for large vehicles that get 30 miles per gallon or more. As fuel prices increase over time, demand for vehicles that hit the wallet less, will increase. It’s simple economics.
Another benefit to Porsche is that a 30mpg car reduces the company’s overall emissions output. For the Cayenne, Porsche will source VW/Audi’s 3.0 litre TDI engine. This engine apparently produces 240bhp while creating 244g/km of carbon dioxide. Still not super environmental, but it’s a fair start for a sports car maker.
What’s not clear yet is if the car is coming to the USA. Imagine that with the US as the largest buyer of Porsche’s the company is considering this as an option, but American acceptance of diesel-powered cars has never been too great. Rest assured petrol prices will increase again in the not-so-distant future, at which time the case will be re-made for the fuel efficiency that diesel offers.
If it does come to the USA, imagine a price around $50,000. That is a $6K+ premium over the petrol Cayenne. At present, the UK edition will start at £40,250 and will be out in February 2009, just in time to get your wife a nice Valentine’s Day gift!
You may recall that last year, part of the Porsche factory that produces the 911 caught fire and delayed some production for a short time. Because not all Porsches are produced in the same factory, most of the Porsche supply chain went unaffected.
Fast forward to 2008, and we see again why companies should always buy transportation of goods insurance. Turns out that early Wednesday morning a train was derailed in Dillenberg, Germany (wherever that is), which cause 20 brand new 911s and who knows how many other cars to be brutally damaged. Porsche lovers hearts are breaking across the world! Still in tight times, maybe Porsche can make more money with train crashes rather than a weak sales market… Read the rest of this entry »
Some entertainment for you, take a spin in the new Porsche 911. It’s super cool!
Two bonuses for you in this video, first note the ability to disable the front two wheels in the Carrera 4 and 4S. Second, take a look at the new launch control teamed with the sport chrono package. Pretty cool!
“While it is often said that nothing can be all things to all people, there are rare exceptions. The 911 Targa 4 and 911 Targa 4S certainly fall within that category, offering the open-air driving enjoyment of a cabriolet with the security and weather protection of a coupe.
In a 911 Targa 4 and Targa 4S, you can quickly tailor the driving environment as your mood or the temperature changes.
Both Targa 4 models have an electrically operated glass roof panel which forms an integral part of the bodyshell structure. Building on the same basic platform as the 911 Carrera 4 and 4S models, the Targa roof provides a unique sense of space and light – even when the roof is closed. Your surroundings become part of the driving experience, whatever the season, whatever the weather, whatever the time of day or night. Amen.”
“Like the 911 Turbo, the Carrera 4S rides lower than the Carrera 4 on a stiffer suspension tuned for crisp, mid-corner balance and straight-line stability. The standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system automatically adjusts to changing road conditions. An added feature allows a choice of two modes – Normal and Sport – to further fine-tune the suspension simply with the touch of a button.
The primal rush of 355 horse-power is sent to the pavement, anchored at each corner by 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and wider 305/30 ZR 19 rear tires. The only thing missing? Racing decals. Amen”
“Dual front Advanced Airbags and the Porsche Side Impact Protection (POSIP) system surround 911 passengers with added levels of protection. A total of six airbags designed for the unique demands of open-air driving work in tandem with a labyrinth of advanced alloy support beams and auto-deploying supplemental safety bars to satisfy the more stringent safety requirements thou shalt demand. Amen.”
“Sporting the same power plant and chassis setup as it’s Coupe cousin, the Convertible 911 Carrera S turns each precise throw of the gearshift into an invitation. And every turn of the steering wheel into a revelation. An optional Tiptronic S transmission monitors your style of driving and, in automatic mode, intuitively selects a computerized shift program for optimal levels of acceleration, braking, and cornering. Together with the standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), which seamlessly adapts damping forces to changing road conditions and riving styles, the result is added agility without compromising safety or comfort. Amen”