Are You Ready For An Oil-Burning Porsche?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

If you are the proud owner of a Porsche 997, which can slurp as much as 1.6 quarts of oil every 622 miles, you may be asking yourself “what do you mean am I ready?” But Porsche isn’t talking about upping the tolerated oil consumption numbers for its gas-powered flat-six engine… it’s considering adding a diesel engine to its US lineup, starting with an oil-burning version of its Panamera sports sedan and Cayenne SUV. With diesel versions of both of its two largest vehicles planned to debut at the Geneva Auto Show, Porsche’s Bernhard Maier tells Automotive News Europe [sub] that

We are discussing internally if we should introduce the Cayenne diesel in the U.S. this year. Also a Panamera diesel is an option.

Porsche has offered a 240 HP diesel version of its Cayenne in Europe since 2009, which gets over 30 MPG combined on the European test-cycle (non-EPA). And with 63 percent of Porsche’s sales last year coming from either the Cayenne or the Panamera last year, the firm is looking to those two nameplates for volume growth until its new products (like the next-gen 911 and a forthcoming “baby boxster”) hit dealerships. Offering diesels in the US may not create a huge surge in demand for Porsche’s most popular products, but it won’t hurt efforts to broaden their appeal.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Carlson Fan Carlson Fan on Jan 24, 2011

    Lots of people in the US would love to have an economical diesel in a light truck(1/2 ton) that offers utility and reliability. Unfortunately the Porsche Cayenne falls short on both counts.

  • Sfdennis1 Sfdennis1 on Jan 24, 2011

    Porsche has ALREADY trampled upon just about every link it has to it's lightweight, sportscar only founding heritage... so what's one more slice off the loaf? Bring the oil-burners here, I say. EVERY elepahantine jumbo-SUV should offer either hybrid and/or clean diesel technology available to make minor amends for its corpulence. Might as well add a diesel Panamera as well.

  • Wallstreet Wallstreet on Jan 24, 2011

    I might if it drives like 335d.

  • Signal11 Signal11 on Jan 28, 2011

    Le Mans Prototypes. Naturally aspirated diesels, before the turbo lag crowd starts.

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