“There is no truth. There is only perception.” A famous quote from the acclaimed French novelist Gustave Flaubert, as well as one I was reminded of once again last week, when Porsche verified it would no longer offer diesel cars and trucks in its present line-up.
The German brand, part of the wider VW group empire implicated in the Dieselgate scandal, has already introduced its new Cayenne SUV without any diesel engine. There will be no more oil-burning Panameras, either, as well as the final Macan S diesel has now rolled off the production line.
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• Porsche Cayenne review
It would appear that eliminating the latter from the line-up is linked to an “ongoing consultation with the authorities in relation to one more software application update”. This suggests that Porsche has opted to axe the design rather than re-engineer it for evaluation under new around the world Harmonised Light vehicles test procedure (WLTP) emissions rules.
Does this all matter? Porsche issued an official statement that seemed to try difficult to persuade us that this is not a huge deal. “Diesel engines traditionally play a subordinate function at Porsche. Porsche does not establish or develop diesel engines itself. Currently, the demand for diesel designs is falling, whereas rate of interest in hybrid as well as petrol designs is increasing significantly,” we were told.
The brand then subsequently clarified its setting by telling us that a diesel Cayenne would be offered in future, although tellingly it declined to state when. For Porsche in isolation, this most likely all makes sense provided the tightening limitations on diesel as well as declining demand. That’s the reality of the situation.
But for the wider cars and truck industry, I believe it’s poor news. As business battle to try to persuade clients diesel has a function to play, it’s one more unfavorable headline to add to the fuel’s continuous toxification. as well as shifting that understanding in the eyes of the public will be extremely difficult indeed.
Now checked out about the UK’s plan to ban petrol as well as diesel engines from 2040…