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Many will cringe at the idea of a diesel-powered Porsche, but since Stuttgart rolled out its first SUV, we've all had a while to get used to the idea. Although previous speculation held on to hopes that Porsche might employ a more powerful 3.2-liter oil-burner, reports now indicate that the Cayenne diesel will employ Audi's 240-horsepower 3.0-liter TDI V6.
Expect the diesel Cayenne to debut next March, following a probable launch at the 2009 Geneva auto show.
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What's happening to Porsche?

They are adapting to change. Petrol prices are peaking upwards so fuel efficient fuels are becoming more popular. Besides that diesel makes perfect sense in an SUV, more torque = more thrust. Today's diesel engines are not crappy as those manufactured during the 90s.

^Why not they make their own powerful diesel? if it's the cost to develop an entirely new engine they can use it in diff other Porsche models.

Which other model? 911? Boxter? Cayman? Good luck selling any of them with an oil burner. As good as the modern diesel engines are, not many are rushing to buy a Porsche sports car to experience one. May be they will also offer one in the new 4 door thingy.

They save a staggering amount of money using an Audi engine instead of spending countless of hours in the drawing board and in labs developing an engine which will only be used in one single car.

The Panamera will most likely not get this engine at all since Hybrid will be far more sexy option.

I think some of you need to wake up and smell the roses. Would you prefer a slightly diluted Porsche or no Porsche at all. If some of you where mangement there would be no more Porsche. The market is changing. Sitting and waiting will kill companies. Everyone is on the move in a big way at the moment. The market will not wait for stragglers. Porsche have bit the bullet and decided this is a must to continue growth. Good decision in my eyes...

It's a completely stupid decision from Porsche.

Now that Porsche basically owns VAG, they even could live without selling any car at all.
They should let Audi use this diesel and concentrate on sportcar to keep their image. Because Porsche will soon be seen as a tractor-seller, and noone will ever think to the 911 when Porsche is mentionned.

A Cayenne-hybrid, why not. But a diesel? As powerful as a 1972 911 but more than twice heavier?

Do you imagine a Porsche that can be thrashed by anything with a motor, makes a tractor noise and has the redline at 3500rpm? Where is the spirit, please?

Can somebody explain to me WHY Ferrari can live without an awful bloated 3.5t pig and a superb 120hp diesel motor? Why Lamborhini does not fit the 1.4l TDI in the Murcielago? Why Maserati does not build an 1.3l CDTI Quattroporte? Why Porsche is still alone with the Cayenne?

Because they don't need it to survive. And now Porsche needs it even less, because they almost can let Audi and VW make money for them.

Porsche sells Cayennes in droves. Diesels are eminently suited to SUVs. Now make the connection and you have a motivator for the strategy.

Yes, if Porsche wants to be seen as Audi.
No, if Porsche wants to be seen as a company building fabulous sportcars.

Then, I propose something: Porsche should rebadge the Audi A3 2.0l TDI, and sell it under the Porsche badge, only a little more expensive. With S-Line, because it's a Porsche. I'm sure they would sell a lot of them. Would it be good for the image? I'm not sure.

Porsche needs its image to sell the cars. They are losing it, and opening a boulevard for Aston Martin. Porsche will soon have lost a big part of its appeal, of its exclusivity, and Aston will remain alone selling mid-priced exclusive sportcars.

Noone would buy a 911 if it was an Audi (which is why I'm sure the R8 will not be a big-seller for long), so soon noone will buy 911. Porsche will be obliged to develop other Cayennes and trendy cars like that, and become Audi II.

Sometimes, what is good from an economic PoV is also only good in short-term strategy...and kills the business-model in a long-term strategy. Porsche without image is nothing.

They are already not very visible anymore in competition, if now everything wearing the badge is 2.5t heavy and has a weak rattling diesel allowing a Golf GTI to put it to shame...