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It's hard not to see the writing on the wall when a status symbol like Porsche decides to port the diesel counterpart of their high-end SUV to the U.S. Most people familiar with the European car market know that diesels are a staple across the Atlantic, but until recently the alternative fuel was pretty much an 18-wheel thing. That's all changing, as mainstream manufacturers are offering efficient diesel versions and companies like Cummins are ramping up their capacity in anticipation of a market shift.
If you still struggle with the smoke-belching image diesel vehicles evoke for so many Americans, figure this: Porsche is counting on the diesel Cayenne to help double their U.S. sales by 2018 without adding any dealerships. The other two sales-boosters are a redesigned 911 and the 430 horsepower Panamera GTS.
If the American diesel is true to its Euro-spec brother, you're looking at a Cayenne that boasts just under 40 mpg combined. It's likely that the car will have a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, making 245 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque, capable of a 0-60 sprint in 7.6 seconds. You won't be winning any races in it with a top speed of only 137 mph, but then again you're looking at a fuel-saving SUV.
If speed is really more important than mileage to you, consider the hybrid version, which makes 380 horses. Just know that you're probably going to pay about $10,000 more for a vehicle that only gets about 24 mpg.
More: Porsche Cayenne Diesel Slated For U.S. Market on Autoguide.com
