Porsche Unveils first Diesel Model for us Market
Porsche has long been seen as one of the premier automakers in the entire world. The company name is associated with the utmost in quality and precision. Many see owning a Porsche as a sign of class and dignity for the person lucky enough to be in possession of one. The automaker offers many makes and models, but for years, the US market has been devoid of a diesel alternative for its customers.
That will change in 2012, as the industry giant has unveiled its first diesel vehicle into the US marketplace. It will be the Cayenne Diesel SUV, which will be making into showrooms in the states by September. Expect a sticker price of just over $55,000 when it finally does become available for sale.
This is not the first diesel SUV for the company, but the first that has made it into the US. The reasoning for that most likely centers on the ever-stricter standards that the US auto industry has had to adapt to in terms of emissions and air quality. Porsche is touting that this model not only meets, but also exceeds those standards.
How did they accomplish this feat? One of the most important new features included is the inclusion of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. What this does is help the engine to reduce NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions from emerging into the air. It is all rolled up within a 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine. The engine is capable of giving the owner 240 horsepower, and can accelerate from 0 mph to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds.
It all sounds good, but one has to wonder what corners had to be cut to fit these tough standards. It would stand to reason that fuel economy would take a hit, but that would be incorrect. In a quote toMashable, CEO Detlev von Platen said, "You can take the Cayenne Diesel from New York to Indianapolis about 740 miles away on a single tank of fuel.” Think about that neat little fact.
So instead of suffering from the once thought of shortcomings of a diesel engine, the customer is actually getting the best of both worlds. The Cayenne is so efficient that it delivers 30% more fuel efficiency than what you would get from a gasoline engine model, which is equivalent to it.
Diesel was once a dirty word in the United States, mostly because of its terrible ratings when it came to emission standards. With this new SUV hitting the market, Porsche has accomplished two things. It helped to bring their vehicles to yet another market, while helping to show the country that diesel engines can be efficient, as well as practical.
