Porsche hits out on CO2

By Phil McNamara

Motoring Issues

22 June 2007 10:30

Porsche's next Cayenne and Panamera saloon will get petrol-electric hybrid engines, CAR Online can confirm, as the firm strives to reduce CO2 emissions.

The sports car maker has gone on the attack, with tough new European Union guidelines on carbon emissions looming. Brussels has already announced it would like the average new car's emissions to total 130g/km of CO2 by 2012, and is now haggling with the industry about implementing the target. In an extraordinary outburst, Porsche board member Michael Macht hit out at small car makers for failing to make big steps to cut carbon. 'The contribution made by European small car manufacturers in reducing CO2 since 2002 has been truly disappointing. They have reduced CO2 emissions in their segment by just two per cent.' Porsche has reduced the Cayenne's CO2 emissions by 15 percent this year, by introducing direct injection onto its petrol engines. And CAR Online can reveal that this fuel-saving technology will be rolled out on the 911's flat sixes next year. That will help Porsche cut its carbon emissions by 20 percent, between 2002 and 2008. That said, Porsche's most efficient model – the Cayman – emits 222g/km of CO2, and the Cayenne Turbo a profligate 358g/km.

The company is clearly feeling the pressure, especially if the 130g/km target is made mandatory and hefty financial penalties are imposed for non-compliance. 'If the European Commission decides that every individual car maker must reach the 130g/km of carbon dioxide target, then Porsche will have to close its doors,' a company insider told CAR Online this week. Porsche is lobbying for an 'ambitious' percentage reduction in emissions, instead of a specific CO2 target of 130g/km. As well as rolling out direct injection petrol engines, Porsche will introduce hybrid powertrains too. Porsche is working on hybrids with Bosch and Audi, and will introduce a petrol-electric V8 on the Cayenne Mk2 before the end of the decade. Expect this Cayenne to return 30mpg.

The Panamera saloon, to be launched in 2009, will follow suit. Our source said: 'The Panamera will also have a hybrid engine from a very early stage.' However our insider ruled out a Porsche diesel. 'A diesel is against Porsche's philosophy. It's heavier, arguably not as clean as a gasoline engine and not accepted in markets such as America and Japan.'

By Phil McNamara