Porsche Cayenne S V8 Diesel on the way

Porsche Cayenne S V8 Diesel on the way

Porsche are planning to launch a V8 Diesel Cayenne S in Europe, expected to be based on the Touareg V8, to take on the BMW X5 M50d.

The original Cayenne Diesel always seemed a bit of a let-down for a Porsche, even a diesel Porsche. The market imperative was there, no doubt, but the performance was not exactly stunning.

Even now, in the latest version of the Cayenne, the best the Cayenne V6 Diesel can manage is a modest 240bhp and a quite lethargic 0-62mph of 7.5 seconds. True, it does have an official figure of 39.2mpg, but it’s a miserable old tub compared to the petrol-engined Cayennes.

But things look like they’re about to take a change for the better with the arrival of the Porsche Cayenne S V8 Diesel on the horizon. Yes, Porsche are going to raid the VW bin to offer a V8 diesel in the Cayenne – and not before time.

With the new 2013 Range Rover Sport on the horizon with its massive weight loss and the likely option of the 4.4 litre V8 Diesel only currently available in the full size Range Rover, Porsche are going to need an answer. And they already need an answer to the BMW X5 M50d. And that answer looks like it will be the 4.2 litre V8 Diesel currently fitted to the VW Touareg.

In the Touareg the V8 Diesel manages to deliver 340bhp (as much as the Cayenne’s original 4.5 litre V8 petrol did), 590lb/ft of torque (almost 20 per cent more than even the Cayenne Turbo), does o-62mph in 5.8 seconds and averages 31mpg.

That should mean a Cayenne Diesel S with performance as good as the old model Turbo and not a million miles behind the current Cayenne Turbo. More importantly, it should also mean a Cayenne Diesel S as powerful as the BMW X5 M50d and the upcoming Range Rover Sport 4.4 V8 Diesel.

And for the first time a Porsche Cayenne Diesel will become hugely appealing.