Porsche Cayenne 3.0 TDI: Torque and efficiency

Friday, September 25, 2009

Porsche Cayenne 3.0 TDI: Torque and efficiency

Interesting driving report here with the Porsche Cayenne 3.0 TDI.

Displacing 3.0-liters, the Cayenne's V6 utilizes a cast iron block and aluminum cylinder heads. The four-valve engine utilizes the latest in precision fuel transfer with common-rail fuel delivery and direct piezo-injection (at pressures approaching 29,000 psi). Forcing air into the engine is a single variable-vane turbocharger, mated to twin intercoolers. With a compression ratio of 16.8:1, and a 4,800 RPM redline, the engine is rated at 240 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. But we all know that's not what diesels are about. Driveshaft wrenching, pavement annihilating torque is where it's at, and on that front, the six-cylinder delivers. A maximum of 405 pound-feet is available from 2,000-2,250 rpm, with grunt being sent through an electronically-controlled six-speed automatic transmission before making its way to a permanent all-wheel drive system with a standard rear-biased torque split of 38:62 (front-to-rear).