Porsche to Add Diesel Cayenne in U.S.

Porsche AG says it will debut a diesel option for U.S. versions of its 2013 Cayenne crossover in September.

The powertrain, which was introduced in Europe in 2009, is Porsche's first and only diesel system. It features a 3.0-liter V-6 turbocharged powerplant that delivers 240 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.

The engine is configured to meet American Tier 2 Bin 5 emission standards. Pollution controls include selective catalytic reduction technology and a urea injection system to reduce oxide of nitrogen emissions. Porsche says the powertrain will not be offered with the automatic engine stop-start feature available with other versions of the Cayenne.

Porsche says the diesel can accelerate the Cayenne from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds and enable it to reach a top speed of 135 mph.

Porsche expects the oil burner to be rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The base Cayenne with 3.6-lite six-cylinder gasoline engine is rated at 16/19/23 mpg.

The diesel option will provide a range of about 740 miles per fill-up and the same towing capacity of other Cayenne models: 7,700 lbs.

The Cayenne accounts for about half of Porsche sales worldwide and 41% of the brand's volume in the U.S. The diesel model will retail for $56,700.