Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6
THE determined march of the diesel engine shows no sign of waning and with Porsche now on board there surely is no turning back.
Okay, it might not be a 911, rather the Cayenne SUV - so all those Porsche purists can rest easy.
It’s common sense really to go down the diesel route and made all the more easy now that Porsche and Volkswagen are all part of one big happy family.
The diesel engine concerned is normally to be found in Audi’s Q7 so it is well suited to doing the job in the Cayenne.
It’s a proven 3.0-litre V6 unit that in the Cayenne delivers 240bhp and an impressive 550Nm of torque.
Quite a few modifications have been made to accommodate it in the Cayenne.
Great efforts have been made with insulation to ensure occupants are blissfully unaware the vehicle is being powered by a diesel engine, even down to its specially developed thick windscreen to keep noise and vibration at bay.
They have done a remarkably good job. In the cocooned environment of the cabin with all the windows up there’s little to suggest you are relying on diesel power. Added to that the engine has been tuned to produce rather a sweet note.
The Cayenne might not be the only sporty SUV around but it is probably the best known and in truth is one of the few to offer genuinely thrilling performance.
While the entry level model doesn’t quite deliver in this regard all the other petrol-powered models do, from the ‘S’ which is a good all-rounder to the blistering pace of the ‘Turbo’ and in between them the on-road focused ‘GTS’.
So does the diesel deliver too?
Performance is without doubt impressive and the Cayenne Diesel does not feel like the poor relative of the range.
It is swifter over the 0-62mph sprint than the standard petrol model, completing it in 8.3 seconds and has a top speed of 133mph.
On open and winding roads it’s a joy to drive and both its handling and power impressed. It retains an authentic sporty feel and arguably gives even the Cayenne S a run for its money.
And it does all this while returning 30.4mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 244g/km.
My previous Cayenne encounters tended to engender a preoccupation with the rapidly diminishing fuel supply but the diesel seemed to soak up the miles, particularly on the motorway, with little needle movement.
As well as delivering on road I expect it’s a consummate off-road performer too, particularly with all that low-end torque to call on – though I didn’t get an opportunity to explore its mud-plugging prowess.
There is no manual available, a Tiptronic S automatic gearbox is fitted as standard.
Prices start at £39,404.
FAST FACTS
Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel
Price: £39,404
Mechanical: 240bhp, 2,967cc, 6cyl diesel engine driving four wheels via 6-speed automatic gearbox
Max speed: 133mph
0-62mph: 8.3 seconds
Combined mpg: 30.4
Insurance group: 18
CO2 emissions: 244g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 2yrs/ unlimited mileage
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