Porsche Cayenne gets a more frugal and powerful diesel engine

2011 Porsche Cayenne

In the current scenario, a fuel efficient diesel makes more sense than a powerful petrol engine that would barely manage single digit fuel economy figures. The Porsche Cayenne has had a diesel engine ever since it went on sale and now the next generation of the oil burner manages to be more frugal than its old cousin.

2011 Porsche Cayenne

The current Cayenne Diesel in India has a 6 cylinder, 240 bhp/550 Nm motor which could be now replaced by the new diesel engine that Porsche has just launched for the SUV. The new engine produces 245 bhp, 5 bhp more than the old engine but whats more important is that the new powerplant manages to be powerful and frugal at the same time. The new engine features a variable-geometry turbocharger and a revamped direct injection system.

2011 Porsche Cayenne interior

With the new engine, performance of the 2 tonne SUV has also increased. Acceleration figures have come down from 7.8 sec to 7.6 sec. The old engine could haul the huge bulk upto 218 kph but, with the new improved engine, the top speed has gone up by 2 kph to 220 kph. So if you are looking for a luxury SUV that is powerful yet economical, the Cayenne Diesel would be one of the best options. Although, buyers in India will have to wait until Porsche bring this engine to India.

“The improvements have been achieved through a package of measures, from the use of new materials to reduce weight, lower frictional resistance to a revamp of the injection system, along with a new turbocharger and enhanced thermal management. In detail, the crankshaft for example has been redesigned; fewer counterweights and hollow bores make it lighter and thus more free-revving than before,” Porsche says.

2011 Porsche Cayenne rear seats

The new 3.0 litre V6 returns 16.58 km/lt which are impressive figures for a SUV of this size. Of course, the figure might come down when driven under Indian road conditions.CO2 emissions have also come down to 189 g/km making the new Cayenne Diesel the most fuel efficient and environment friendly Cayenne around.