Report: Porsche reconsidering diesel Cayenne for North America

August 1, 2010 by Tsikot

Filed under: SUV, Porsche, Canada, Diesel, Luxury

2011 Porsche Cayenne Turbo – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi, Mercedes, BMW and VW offer their premium SUVs in diesel flavors, and that’s got Porsche rethinking its stance re: the Cayenne. According to a Porsche PR rep in Canada, the American managers are thinking about bringing the oil-burner this way in order to fill that hole. Two years ago, Porsche tested and then confirmed a diesel Cayenne for the American market that would use Audi’s 3.0 TDI. It was supposed to arrive early last year; obviously, that never happened.

We drove the Euro-spec diesel Cayenne last year, and walked away thinking it’s a “no-brainer for the American market.” With the new Cayenne having lost all that weight and increased its performance, a diesel engine would pull even better. And if the numbers stand, with overall diesel-vehicle sales in North America predicted to hit around 250,000 units in 2014, it could be that Porsche thinks it’s a no-brainer as well.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Porsche Cayenne