Porsche vehicles to stay the course despite stricter CAFE regulations
06/02/2008, 1:29 PM
By Drew Johnson
Despite newly passed CAFE regulations, Porsche says the standards will not force it to change its brand image or vehicle lineup. The German automaker is widely regarded as one of the world’s best sports car makers, a reputation it plans to keep even with impending fuel-economy regulations.
“We will make our cars more fuel efficient, but we will not change our nature,” Detlev von Platen, CEO of Porsche Cars North America, told Automotive News. “Our customers expect a certain characteristic to our cars.”
Instead of relying on smaller, less powerful engines, Porsche will focus on reducing the weight of its vehicles and will also begin to utilize hybrid technologies. Von Platen confirmed that a hybrid version of the Cayenne is head to the U.S. in late 2010 and the German automaker will also offer a hybrid version of the upcoming Panamera four-door coupe.
However, despite the recent trend for European automakers to introduce diesel-powered models in the U.S., don’t expect Porsche to follow suit. “We thought about diesel, but it does not make sense, especially since the United States is 39 percent of Porsche’s market, and we do not see any potential for it,” von Platen said.
Proposed National Highway Traffic Safety Association regulations call for Porsche to raise its corporate average fuel economy to 41.3 mpg by 2015 — up from its current level of 26 mpg. Moreover, the proposed regulations would require the 911 to exceed the fuel economy of a Toyota Camry, due to the size of the sports car’s footprint, according to Automotive News.
It’s hard to imagine a Porsche 911 posting better fuel economy numbers than the Toyota Camry, so we probably haven’t heard the last from Porsche in the fuel economy debate.
06/02, 1:37 PM
posted by:
desertdriver
Porsche should just pay the fines with not complying with CAFE. How much would the fines add to the price of a 911? $5,000? Porsche buyers would be able to swallow that.
06/02, 1:49 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
The United States is 39 percent of Porsche’s market? I didn’t know we had that many doctors.
06/02, 2:49 PM
posted by:
xyunya
It’s not only doctors; lawyers, former comedians, wannabe pimps in “Risky business”.
There is nothing new here: already Ferrari owner pays gas guzzler tax.
06/02, 3:09 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
I’m glad Porsche is staying away form Diesels. Diesels bite in my opinion.
I could see the base 911 and even the Boxster getting the same fuel economy as a V6 Camry with the proper technology.
06/02, 3:25 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
AUDI rules with Diesel, a model for the world.
Anyway, PORSCHE does not have that much to worry about though they could lose that mystique of being among the most advanced cars in the world if they keep rolling out “gas-guzzlers”. Mind that the 911, despite having all that horsepower really did do well by a gallon of gas. It would be embarrassing for that car maker to suddenly have their competitors out-ranging them and/or outrunning them.
I don”t think PORSCHE is going to lay down on this. I see them more as taking their time. They may deliberately choose to miss the “deadline” while they redevelop better F/econ without sacking performance.
06/02, 4:29 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Good on ya Porsche, fight the power.
06/02, 4:47 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
Agreed with Blakkar – what’s wrong with Audi’s TDI? 700 lbs-ft of torque sounds juuuust right for a Cayenne
06/02, 5:52 PM
posted by:
NoNameDenton1
Porsche is doing a diesel Cayenne, though they are using a twin turbo V6 diesel so it is light weight
06/03, 4:40 AM
posted by:
The Stig
Porsche sold about 31,000 cars in N/A in 2004 and paid just over $3.1M in CAFE fines. That’s less than a $100/car on average. When the fine is passed onto the consumer Porsche doesn’t give a ****. In fact, no manufacturer gives a hoot about CAFE – it’s a marginal cost of doing business.
06/03, 3:25 PM
posted by:
bigp
i guess they will only time will tell