Porsche Cayenne gets hot diesel

PORSCHE’S Cayenne SUV is set to get a high-performance V8 diesel engine capable of thrusting the big SUV from zero to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds while drinking just 8.3 litres per 100km of fuel.

The Porsche Cayenne S Diesel is armed with the latest 4.2-litre twin-turbo diesel V8 from sister company Audi which uses it in its flagship A8 limo and Q7 SUV models.

The thumping Cayenne will land in Australian showrooms about April next year, priced at $155,000 (plus on-road costs) – a $45,100 premium over the standard 3.0-litre V6 diesel Cayenne.

Compared with the Audi versions of the V8, the engine has been tweaked for more power in the Cayenne S Diesel, which is said to have 281kW of power and 850Nm of torque – 23kW and 50Nm more than the Audi A8’s version of the engine.

Significantly, the Cayenne’s peak power also pips the rival BMW X6 M50d’s 280kw, while also eclipsing the BMW’s peak torque (740Nm).

However, the X6 M50d appears to be marginally faster to 100km/h, covering the sprint in a claimed 5.3 seconds – four tenths quicker than the V8 diesel Cayenne.

The BMW’s smaller 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine also delivers superior fuel economy – 7.4L/100km to the Cayenne’s 8.3L/100km.

The Cayenne S Diesel is only 0.1L/100km thirstier than its petrol-electric Cayenne S Hybrid stablemate, which has a combined fuel economy reading of 8.2L/100km on the official Australian ADR test.

Porsche says the Cayenne S Diesel – which is expected to go public at the Paris motor show later this month – is the world’s first V8 diesel SUV to get fuel-saving idle-stop technology.

A 100-litre fuel tank that will be standard fare for the Australian model promises a 1200km range.

Porsche says the Cayenne diesel delivers a typical Porsche driving experience “combining an emotional V8 engine sound with punchy, smooth performance”.

The Cayenne gets Porsche’s active all-wheel drive system, which it says is tuned to provide the driving qualities of a rear-drive vehicle.

“The front wheels only intervene to provide drive when extra stability and traction are needed,” it says.

Porsche expects the big diesel to appeal to owners needing a tow vehicle, emphasising its gutsy 3.5 tonne towing capacity.

The Cayenne S Diesel gets the same ‘S’ body treatment and equipment as the petrol Cayenne S, including larger brakes to handle the extra performance over the standard Cayenne.

Identifying marks include silver front brake calipers, black fins on the front air inlets and diesel V8 badges on the front guards.

The V8 diesel Cayenne S is $3100 dearer than the V8 petrol Cayenne S, placing it in the middle of the Cayenne range that starts with the six-cylinder petrol Cayenne at $109,400 and tops out with the $247,500 Cayenne Turbo.

2013 Porsche Cayenne pricing*

Cayenne	$109,400
Cayenne Diesel	$110,400
Cayenne S	$151,900
Cayenne S Diesel	$155,500
Cayenne S Hybrid	$164,400
Cayenne GTS	$164,400
Cayenne Turbo	$247,500

*Plus on-road costs