Porsche Cayenne: Diesel more than just a big torquer

Porsche Cayenne S Diesel. Photo / Supplied

Powerful new Porsche has speed and towing grunt.

Porsche New Zealand is introducing a high-performance diesel model to its Cayenne range, with the SUV hitting our roads in April 2013.

The 4.2-litre eight-cylinder engine with twin turbo chargers produces 281kW of power and maximum torque of 850Nm. This thrusts the new Cayenne S Diesel to top marks in dynamic performance and efficiency.

The new diesel completes the 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds on its way to a 252km/h top speed, while fuel consumption is just 8.3 litres per 100km (CO2: 218 g/km). One factor contributing to this fuel efficiency is the automatic start/stop function - the Cayenne S Diesel is the only SUV with a diesel V8 to offer this.

The Cayenne S Diesel features PTM active all-wheel drive, tuned to give the driving qualities of a rear-wheel drive. The front wheels only intervene to provide drive when extra stability and traction are needed. Optional Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) adds further dynamics to the SUV's already excellent sporty handling.

The deep reserves of torque of the V8 engine of the Cayenne S Diesel are well suited to towing; the SUV has a 3.5-tonne towing capacity. It also takes on the role of a long-distance champion: based on its NEDC fuel consumption the Cayenne S Diesel with its 100-litre fuel tank (standard for New Zealand) can be driven about 1200km without having to stop to refuel.

The new top diesel model has the same sporty exterior and hardware as the V8 petrol Cayenne S. The brake system has been sized to handle the car's output and is identified by its silver brake calipers. The black fins at the front end emphasise the open air inlets. As on the Cayenne Diesel, the "diesel" badges at the front guards identify the type of V8 power while the model badge at the rear identifies it as a Cayenne S.

Porsche NZ is yet to announce specification and pricing.