“Diesel is not so important for Porsche.”
In a brave move, German performance marque Porsche has killed off all of its diesel offerings (namely the Macan SUV and the Panamera saloon), citing slowing demand and a “cultural shift” in buying patterns. This comes after the brand chose not to launch its latest-generation Cayenne SUV with a diesel variant (surprising, considering the Cayenne was what debuted diesel with Porsche back in 2009), and further underlines Porsche’s commitment towards electrification to secure the future for the brand.
What also likely played a role in the culling (though Porsche won’t admit it) is the adoption of the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (or WLTP) testing standards for emissions and fuel consumption. WLTP introduces far stricter emissions standards that have sent automakers scrambling to re-engineer their diesel mills particularly, and Porsche likely decided that doing so was an expense they’d rather not bear.
Along with the Macan S Diesel, the Porsche Panamera 4S Diesel has also had the door closed on it, though they took the time to enlighten the media as to that decision. Only some 15% of Panamera sales come from the oilers, while pure-petrol models made up 35% of sales. A whopping 50% of worldwide Panamera sales have come from the Panamera E-Hybrid model, lending credence to what Porsche said about evolving buying trends.
Speaking to British publication Autocar, an insider with Porsche said this may not spell the end of diesel altogether for the brand, inviting speculation as to whether or not the brand will explore the possibility of packing newer, cleaner, leaner diesels in their future models. That said, Porsche supremo Oliver Blume has said in the past that “diesel is not so important for Porsche,” backing up his statement by hammering home the fact that not even a fifth of Porsche’s global sales come from oilers.
The direction that Porsche wants to take for the future is clear, though. Later this year, the company will launch its Mission E, a four-door fully-electric saloon to take on the Tesla Model S and next-generation electric Jaguar XJ. Three variants of the Mission E will be offered at launch: A 300kW model, a 400kW model, and a 500kW model. All models will feature all-wheel drive and a two-speed automatic transmission, and be capable of hitting 100km/h in less than 3-seconds, before hitting a top-speed of 250km/h.
When it arrives, the Mission E will carry a sticker price around the $95,000 mark, putting it comfortably between the Porsche Cayenne and Panamera, and right up against the American Tesla Model S.
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