Diesel versions of a cult car 911 Carrera of a sports table — probably — but all other combinations of current and future technologies in the game, how Porsche is preparing to meet the upcoming savings of fuel and release outside Europe, the USA and China.
“There is no one solution there,” Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche R&D boss, told me during the North American International Automobile Exhibition last month. «Our strategy should rely on more than one pillar».
Based on the success of Cayenne SUV, Porsche dealers in the United States demanded more diesel, they said. Diesel Cayenne, which went on sale in September, faster than 0-60 miles / h and spends 21% less fuel in the combined EPA city / highway of the test, compared to the Cayenne with V6 motor and automatic gearbox. Diesel Cayenne models among the best sold can be one third of the sales of SUV in the United States this year.
“We are going to increase diesel models in the United States,” Hatz said. The diesel version is less than the Macan SUV, which will go on sale in the USA in the second quarter of 2014, most likely. The diesel version of Panamera is a four-door car is possible.
“The third main element of our strategy is Plug-in (hybrid) technologies,” Hatz said. “A clean electric vehicle is not the right solution”, the fact that they have a limited range and for a long time charging, he said. «We firmly believe in plugins».
Porsche 918 Spyder
The first plugin will receive a porshe hybrid long -awaited 918 Spyder Supercar. At a price of $ 845,000, it promises 3, 1-second 0-60 miles / h time, maximum speed of 198 miles / h and an electric range of 16 km with a V8 engine for long trips. 918 Spyder must arrive in the USA in early 2014.
“Any new technology should give pleasure from driving, which gives long -term success,” Hatz said. “This is all about maximum efficiency without damage to performance. Big investment car. It must be funny «.
Porsche will continue to pursue and shave (indirectly) each exceeded ounces from its cars to save fuel. She will also add a stop start for all her cars, and uses a “sailboat” wider, which turns off the engine when you are on roads.
While Hatz is aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions, car enthusiasts are more worried about whether Porsche can maintain its identity now, the fact that it is part of the Volkswagen group.
Hatz, which also worked in BMW, Fiat, Opel and VW, is not interested in. Porsche at 4000 R&D employees currently freely concentrate on things that are unique to Porsche as handling and performance, he said. “If the electronic door control unit is the same as on Passat, this is normal.
“911 will always use a six -cylinder” engine, he said, emphasizing, one of the long -standing features of Porsche.
Hatz quotes VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne SUVs as an example of the differentiation model within the group. «The platform is the same, but the experience of driving and views are completely different».
Macan Medium SUV, which will go on sale in Europe at the end of this year, will be even more than the Audi Q5, he shares the platform, he said.
The legendary Porsche technology of the Center in Weissach, not far from the headquarters in Tsuffenhausen, near Stuttgart, is one of the three R&D VW groups of the Hubes. Weissach will become a development center for sports cars and the rear -wheel drive platform for large luxury cars, like Panamera.