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First look Porsche Cayenne diesel


The famous German maker of sports cars and race machines makes a big SUV wagon, then it confirms it is making a four-door sporty Porsche and now there's a diesel engine.

It just underlines how far diesel has come in penetrating the market, especially in Europe, that even a prestige brand like Porsche now must embrace diesel, albeit at this stage only as one of the engine choices in its Cayenne four-wheel-drive wagons.

The entry-level Cayenne is the V6 3.5-litre petrol unit. The diesel version is based on that trim level and, at $101,900 also sells for less than what you can buy any Porsche sports car. The V8 petrol Cayennes are $134,500 to $215,200 so this new Cayenne diesel looms as good value, considering its 550Nm of torque transferring to good performance.

As we are learning, a diesel doesn't have to be a slug, especially if it's a German engine. Moving 2.3 tonnes of big 4WD from rest to 100km/h in 8.3 seconds is respectable by any measure. Porsche says it will even run out to 214km/h.

The winner is the fuel economy, rated at 9.3 litres/100km, or better than 30 miles a gallon in the old money. The Cayenne's 100-litre tank promises a good touring range at these figures.

The diesel engine is a three-litre V6 with variable-geometry turbocharger, giving 176kW at 4000 to 4400rpm while that 500Nm of torque comes on nice and early from 2000 to 2250rpm. If those figures sound familiar, look at the Audi engine range...

The only transmission available with the diesel on Cayenne is the Tiptronic S, a six-speed that can be changed manually via rocker switches on the steering wheel. When the wagon is stopped in gear and the foot brake pressed, a clutch automatically disconnects the engine from the driveline, saving a few more drops of oily fuel.

This thing is no poseur, either. It has a low-range transfer (2.7:1), decent ground clearance which can be adjusted if the optional air suspension is ordered (tp to 271mm) and the diesel model comes with sensibly sized tyres, not the low-profile jobs just about useless off bitumen as on some prestige SUVs. The transmission also has a hill-holder for smooth uphill starts.

Standard is the Porsche traction management in the permanent all-wheel-drive system, distributing the torque to best advantage. It's normally set at 62 rear and 38 front until anything starts to slip.

And it wouldn't be a top-brand Euro without a good stability control system, in this case one that also recognises any swaying or pendulum motion of a trailer and dabs appropriate brakes as required. A 3.5-tonne tow rate puts it among the big, tough boys, too.

 


PORSCHE CAYENNE DIESEL

Price: $101,900

Engine: V6, 2967cc turbo-diesel

Power: 176kW @ 4000-44000rpm

Torque: 550Nm @ 2000-2250rpm

Emissions: 244g/km

Transmission: Tiptronic S six-speed; all-wheel-drive; with low-range transfer

Brakes: All disc, six-piston calipers on front, four-piston on rear

Wheels/tyres: 7.5x17in; 235/65

Fuel: 9.3 litres/100km; 100-litre tank

Dimensions: 4788mm long, 1928mm wide, 1699mm tall, 2855mm wheelbase, 218mm ground clearance, 2240kg, tows 3500kg

Performance: (claimed) 0-100km/h 8.3sec. 8-120km/h in fifth gear, 10.1sec. Top speed 214km/h On sale: In Australia, April