Porsche Releases U.S. Spec Cayenne Diesel Details & Its An Efficient Torque Monster
The Porsche Cayenne sport utility family gets a new member for 2013: the Cayenne Diesel. The newest Cayenne model joins the Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne S Hybrid and Cayenne Turbo.
Originally introduced to the diesel-dominated European market in 2009, clean diesel technology and its many consumer benefits are now available to Porsche customers in the U.S. market for the first time. The Cayenne Diesel arrives in Porsche dealer showrooms in September and will be priced from $55,750, not including a $975 destination charge.
The new-for-2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel’s powerful, yet fuel-efficient 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine, delivers 240-hp and 406 lb.-ft. of torque, available from as low as 1,750 rpm. The result is strong 0-60 mph acceleration in just 7.2 seconds and a top track speed of 135 mph. That performance is complemented by best in class fuel economy – based on preliminary internal estimates, the Cayenne Diesel is estimated to achieve a rating of 20 mpg city / 28 mpg highway / 23 combined on its U.S. EPA label. Final figures will be confirmed closer to the start of sales later in 2012.
In addition to power and economy, the Cayenne Diesel can travel up to 740 miles on a single tank of fuel.
The Cayenne Diesel is built to meet Tier 2 Bin 5 emission standards, and includes selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. The SCR system is comprised of an AdBlue® tank located in the car’s spare-wheel well, a heating system for this tank and the lines which carry the AdBlue, an injection valve for AdBlue fluid and a selective catalytic reduction converter, which aid in the reduction of NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions.
Highlights of the 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine in the Cayenne Diesel include high pressure common rail fuel injection and a variable vane geometry turbocharger, which give the engine improved response to driver inputs and enhanced fuel economy when compared to more conventional diesel engine technologies. In addition, the engine block is constructed from compacted graphite iron (CGI), which has many of the strength properties of a conventional iron block but with a significant reduction in mass, approximately 55 lbs. (25 kilograms).
The Cayenne Diesel is mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission, without the Auto Start/Stop function available on other Cayenne variants. As with the Cayenne S Hybrid, the Cayenne Diesel includes Porsche Traction Management (PTM), which features permanent all-wheel drive.
The Cayenne Diesel also comes standard with a system to protect the driver from fueling the vehicle with the incorrect fuel. A mechanical safeguard in the fuel tank filler neck ensures that the locking mechanism can only be opened by the larger diameter diesel fuel pump nozzle and that refueling will only begin at that point.
The Cayenne Diesel is designated with a “Diesel” badge on the left and right front fenders.