Diesel 911?
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Discussion

flamespitter

Original Poster:

154 posts

255 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
Could not help but notice Audis diesel triumph in the Sebring 12 hour race.What if they pull it off at Le Mans?
Apparently Audi want to transfer diesel technology to high performance road cars!
Is the future 911 going to be a diesel?
I feel depressed already.
Any reassurance would be appreciated.

Homer J

789 posts

246 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
It would be a bitch to drive, the extra weight of a fairly substantial diesel engine slung out the back, plus all the extra torque

Can't see it happening though. I'd have thought if Porsche were looking at diesel we'd first see it going into the Cayenne. So a few years notice at least

anonymous-user

82 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
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Homer J said:
...the extra weight of a fairly substantial diesel engine slung out the back...


i think the audi lump is all alloy

mtbr

328 posts

250 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
Unless the diesel Audi's break down, it's odds on that they will win Le Mans this year.
More of a quirk of the technical regs giving them a big advantage than anything else.

I expect the rules will get changed to even things up with the spark ignition brigade, before Porsche feels the need to build a diesel 911.

softinthehead

1,550 posts

267 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
cant see the problem myself. its the performance that matters. if Porsche can do a diesel lump that gives me the same or better performance than i'm getting now, and better mpg, why complain? the salient point about this audi is not that its engine is diesel but that it won the race

anonymous-user

82 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
Porsche have been very clear in stating that diesel is NOT the way they will go. Their preferred route, for the Cayenne at least, is hybrid petrol technology. I think there is talk that they are looking at this for the Panamera as well!!!

Kevin Hackett

113 posts

254 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
I was on a tour of the Leipzig factory only a month ago when the Porsche official guiding us round stated categorically that Porsche will never produce a car with a diesel engine, so I think we can all assume (for now at least) that we're safe from oil burning Porkers!

UK952

769 posts

287 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
At Le Mans a few years ago(last time I went ), Calum Lockie drove a diesel, I was actually quite impressed by the noise it made, far better than I expected and quite un-diesel like, It broke.
Tony

Welshchris

1,291 posts

282 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
I was in a new BMW 535d yesterday and it went like shit off a shovel - Incredible. If Porsche can apply their expertise to building a performance diesel then I'm sure it wouldn't be something to scoff at

Chris

hendry

1,945 posts

310 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
Porsche has stated time and again they won't do a diesel. That is why they have struck a deal with Toyota to use hybrid gubbins in the next Cayenne. With some tinkling it could be possible to get similar green ethics and running costs to a diesel using petro-electric drivetrain technology.

RichardD

3,608 posts

273 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
Welshchris said:
...If Porsche can apply their expertise to building a performance diesel then I'm sure it wouldn't be something to scoff at

The logical thing to do would be to have diesel options for the SUV's (inc the new small one) and a future four seater. In the latter case performance would need to be above said 535d too......

flamespitter

Original Poster:

154 posts

255 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
Looking at the marketing policy of Porsche over the last few years, I think that Porsche will do whatever it feels necessary to increase its profitability and market share.If that means diesel/hybrid technology, then so be it.In fairness, if diesels can do everything a petrol can but with better economy/emissions, then maybe we will have to move with the times.Where have all the anti water cooled Luddites gone? The 996 GT3 put the final nail in their coffin!

Welshchris

1,291 posts

282 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
RichardD said:
In the latter case performance would need to be above said 535d too......


Astonishing - 155mph limited - 0-60 6.5 seconds which for a big car is incredible. And the in-gear times felt seriously quick in-gear as well.

Chris

softinthehead

1,550 posts

267 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
Welshchris said:
RichardD said:
In the latter case performance would need to be above said 535d too......


Astonishing - 155mph limited - 0-60 6.5 seconds which for a big car is incredible. And the in-gear times felt seriously quick in-gear as well.

Chris


one of my partner's wives has just got one of these - 3.5l twin turbo. parked next to the 968 its twice the size and weight. the 0-60 times are identical. the top speeds are on paper identical though the reality is i doubt i could reach 155. the only way i can beat it is on the twisty bits, and when the sport-mode button is on i'm not even sure i could outpace it then. i felt depressed. then i twisted the argument round and rationalised that my 12 year old porsche could keep pace with the very best (estate!!!) that modern bmw can produce.

its a comfort...sort of

nel

4,830 posts

269 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
quotequote all
UK952 said:
At Le Mans a few years ago(last time I went ), Calum Lockie drove a diesel, I was actually quite impressed by the noise it made, far better than I expected and quite un-diesel like, It broke.
Tony


The Le Mans diesel that broke down wasn't having engine problems. The engine kicks out such ridiculous stump-pulling torque that it eats clutches and gearboxes for breakfast, so they'll be competitive once this is sorted. Note the added advantage of less fuel stops!

Still horrid smelly things though - I prefer the smell of high octane fuel burnt by a hi-revving beastie petrol engine.

anonymous-user

82 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
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i have been told by a reliable source at the factory that the 998 gt3td will be air cooled

nbetts

1,455 posts

257 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
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The BMW 535D is infact a 3.0 litre car and not a 3.5...

Having said that it is an impressive piece of work. BMW are saying that the new 3.0D found in the 530D (but with only one blower) is nearly as quick ut a lot more refined.

I too had a loan of a 535D and it is fast*

*For a Diesel Saloon Car

williamp

20,295 posts

301 months

Wednesday 29th March 2006
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I dont doubt Porsche have been working on a peformance diesel for some time.

If not for them, then for someone else in secret. I'm sure they have the know-how, if the market demands it