Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Porsche
No diesels from Porsche, Cayenne will go hybrid instead
There have been various rumors floating around about alternative power-trains that Porsche was looking at installing in the Cayenne SUV and potentially other models. Now Porsche has put a stop to at least one rumor. They have decided that they definitely will not be putting diesel engines in any of their vehicles. Porsche is trying to develop drivetrains that will allow them to meet new EU carbon dioxide emissions standards of 120g/km.
Porsche claims they have ruled out diesels because even though they are more efficient, they emit more NOx and particulates and are therefore no better than gas engines overall. With new clean diesel technologies this seems like a dubious argument and more likely they just don't think that a diesel would fit the character of a Porsche. Of course the Cayenne doesn't really fit the character of a Porsche either, but that's another story. Instead Porsche will develop a 15 percent more efficient engine for the next generation Cayenne and is also developing hybrid technology, probably in cooperation with VW with whom they share the Cayenne platform for the Toureg and Q7.
[Source: Just-Auto - subscription required]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Benson Leung 11:51AM (2/17/2007)
"Porsche claims they have ruled out diesels because even though they are more efficient, they emit more NOx and particulates and are therefore no better than gas engines overall. With new clean diesel technologies this seems like a dubious argument. "
Even with clean diesel technology, diesel still produces more NOx than a conventional gasoline burning engine, so no, Porsche's claim is NOT dubious.
In the US, the Blutec diesels that will hit the streets in 2008 will be rated LEV II on the CARB scale... This makes them legal to be sold in all 50 states, but LEV II is the bare minimum emissions standard, and compared to conventional gas engines and hybrids, it's not outstanding.
Many conventional vehicles are ULEV II rated, meaning 70% cleaner than LEV IIs, especially with respect to NOx.
Hybrid vehicle technology will offer similar fuel economy as diesels (much better in some usage models like city) but also will be rated SULEV II, or 90% cleaner than a LEV II.
Clean diesel is cleaner than the diesels of the past, but hybrid technology is outstanding both from a fuel economy and emissions point of view.
Moreover, clean diesels will require the driver to periodically refill a urea tank in order to maintain LEV II emissions. If the user decides to ignore it, the emissions control shuts off, and you've got a dirtier diesel once again.
Diesel has a long way to catch up.
Reply