Porsche has brought the hammer down on the idea of introducing any new diesel cars, shaping an even bleaker future for oilburners.
Production of new diesel Porsches had been put on hold earlier this year as consumer interest turned to hybrid and electric vehicles.
But confirmation that Porsche has definitely ditched diesel marks an end to the diesel-fueled Cayenne, Macan and four-door Panamera once the current run is concluded.
Diesel Porsches only became a thing ten years ago with the Cayenne and any diesel engine currently found in a new Porsche will have been sourced from Audi.
‘Not demonising’
Making the announcement, Porsche chief executive Oliver Blume said his company was “not demonising diesel” and insisted that diesel will remain an important fuel for other manufacturers.
“We as a sports car manufacturer, however, for whom diesel has always played a secondary role, have come to the conclusion that we would like our future to be diesel-free,” the Porsche boss explained.
“Naturally, we will continue to look after our existing diesel customers with the professionalism they expect.”
Why does everyone hate diesel?
All of this can be traced back to the Dieselgate emissions scandal that has plagued the VW Group since 2015.
Earlier this year, Volkswagen was fined €1 billion (£900 million) for selling more than ten million cars fitted with software designed to cheat official emissions tests between 2007 and 2015.
Although the issue affected a number of petrol models too, diesel has been hit harder due to their ‘dirty diesel’ reputation. Despite emitting less CO2, diesels pump out a lot more nitrous oxide (NOx), which causes damage to air quality.
Older diesels have already been banned from certain areas of some German cities in a bid to limit pollution.
So what now?
Closing the lid on new diesel Porsches could be considered damage limitation because the brand is well aware this matter is far from over – around £23 billion has been set aside to settle fines, pay compensation and buy back cars.
The brand will move forward with a new luxury electric car, named the Taycan, due in 2019 and Porsche execs hope that half of all new Porsche sales will be pure electric or hybrid vehicles by 2025.
What do you think of all this? Has Porsche been too hasty ditching diesel? Would you even buy a new diesel-fueled Porsche? Let us know in the comments…
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