Porsche's fuel-efficient future
04-08-2010, 11:55 AM
#1
Porsche's fuel-efficient future
There are a few nice pictures at the URL below.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/...ure/index.html
The German sports car maker insists that it will meet future fuel economy requirements in its own way.
Consider this: A 345 horsepower, $78,000 Porsche 911 is about the same size as a 145 horsepower, $15,000 Toyota Corolla. That means, as far as new government fuel economy rules are concerned, they should use the same amount of gasoline.
But, as any who's ever driven a Porsche will tell you, it's no Corolla.
Under the new rules, finalized recently, every automaker will be given specific fuel economy targets based on the average size of the vehicles it sells. That way, all automakers aren't forced to make compact cars and buyers who need larger vehicles will still be able to find them.
The challenge for Porsche will be to fit the performance its customers want while getting something closer to small car fuel economy. The German-based automaker is undaunted by the new rules and vows to greatly improve the fuel economy of its cars, Porsche Cars North America CEO Detlev Von Platen said. With both governments and customers demanding better fuel economy, he promises it will be done -- without sacrificing the driving experience.
"Porsche will remain first in class in performance," he said.
One thing Porsche will not do, Von Platen insists, is hide behind Volkswagen
The two automakers are set to merge next year, which should make things easier for Porsche since VW's compact cars, like the Golf and New Beetle, could help offset the fuel economy of Porsche's performance cars.
But Porsche doesn't want to take that approach, Von Platen said. Porsche will meet its fuel economy targets in the U.S. on its own, he insisted, regardless of its corporate relationship with VW.
"It is very important that Porsche meet the target set for us on our own," Von Platen said.
It's also very important to Porsche's customers, who are looking for "social acceptance," he said.
"We want clearly to show that we can contribute," Von Platen said.
Diesel power would seem to be an easy answer to Porsche's fuel economy dilemma. Diesel engines deliver plenty of power with fuel economy that's up to 30% better than comparably-performing gasoline engines. Other German automakers, like BMW, have diesel engines in most of the cars they sell in Europe.
Porsche does offer a diesel version of its Cayenne SUV in Europe and is considering offering a diesel there in its four-door Panamera car.
But diesels aren't seen as an option for Porsche's most famous cars, its rear-engined sports cars like the 911 and Cayman. Diesels simply can't offer the overall driving experience Porsche sports car fans expect, Porsche spokesman Tony Fouladpour said.
For now, at least, Porsche won't even be offering a diesel Cayenne here in the U.S., but the Cayenne Hybrid, shown here, will hit the U.S. market later this year.Hybrid technology, which uses electric motors to add power to a gasoline engine, is one way Porsche will boost the efficiency of its sports cars.
One hybrid strategy is displayed in the Porsche GT3R Hybrid racecar that Porsche recently began campaigning on European tracks.
Instead of batteries, the GT3R Hybrid stores power in an electrically-driven flywheel. When the brakes generate electricity, that power is used to spin the flywheel. The driver can tap into that power -- up to about 160 additional horsepower -- using a button on the steering wheel.
The advantage of a flywheel is that it can store and release power quickly and repeatedly with little wear, making it ideal for racing. With computer controls substituting for the driver's thumb, this technology along with batteries could be available in Porsche cars in the future, said Porsche development driver Marc Lieb.The 918 Hybrid concept car was shown at this year's Geneva Motors Show in Switzerland.
"What we have shown in Switzerland is not only a concept car," said Detlev Von Platen, chief executive of Porsche Cars North America. "It is a clear prototype."
In fact, Porsche already has lined up buyers for a future production version of this super sports car.
"If the business case is OK for us, and we're assuming it will be OK, we will produce this car," Von Platen said.
Cars like this will be expensive, of course, Von Platen conceded. Porsche buyers are willing to pay a premium for the latest technology, he said. The one thing they aren't willing to compromise on is performance.
"We want to keep, for the consumer, the performance and agility of a Porsche," Von Platen said.
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2010/...ure/index.html
The German sports car maker insists that it will meet future fuel economy requirements in its own way.
Consider this: A 345 horsepower, $78,000 Porsche 911 is about the same size as a 145 horsepower, $15,000 Toyota Corolla. That means, as far as new government fuel economy rules are concerned, they should use the same amount of gasoline.
But, as any who's ever driven a Porsche will tell you, it's no Corolla.
Under the new rules, finalized recently, every automaker will be given specific fuel economy targets based on the average size of the vehicles it sells. That way, all automakers aren't forced to make compact cars and buyers who need larger vehicles will still be able to find them.
The challenge for Porsche will be to fit the performance its customers want while getting something closer to small car fuel economy. The German-based automaker is undaunted by the new rules and vows to greatly improve the fuel economy of its cars, Porsche Cars North America CEO Detlev Von Platen said. With both governments and customers demanding better fuel economy, he promises it will be done -- without sacrificing the driving experience.
"Porsche will remain first in class in performance," he said.
One thing Porsche will not do, Von Platen insists, is hide behind Volkswagen
The two automakers are set to merge next year, which should make things easier for Porsche since VW's compact cars, like the Golf and New Beetle, could help offset the fuel economy of Porsche's performance cars.
But Porsche doesn't want to take that approach, Von Platen said. Porsche will meet its fuel economy targets in the U.S. on its own, he insisted, regardless of its corporate relationship with VW.
"It is very important that Porsche meet the target set for us on our own," Von Platen said.
It's also very important to Porsche's customers, who are looking for "social acceptance," he said.
"We want clearly to show that we can contribute," Von Platen said.
Diesel power would seem to be an easy answer to Porsche's fuel economy dilemma. Diesel engines deliver plenty of power with fuel economy that's up to 30% better than comparably-performing gasoline engines. Other German automakers, like BMW, have diesel engines in most of the cars they sell in Europe.
Porsche does offer a diesel version of its Cayenne SUV in Europe and is considering offering a diesel there in its four-door Panamera car.
But diesels aren't seen as an option for Porsche's most famous cars, its rear-engined sports cars like the 911 and Cayman. Diesels simply can't offer the overall driving experience Porsche sports car fans expect, Porsche spokesman Tony Fouladpour said.
For now, at least, Porsche won't even be offering a diesel Cayenne here in the U.S., but the Cayenne Hybrid, shown here, will hit the U.S. market later this year.Hybrid technology, which uses electric motors to add power to a gasoline engine, is one way Porsche will boost the efficiency of its sports cars.
One hybrid strategy is displayed in the Porsche GT3R Hybrid racecar that Porsche recently began campaigning on European tracks.
Instead of batteries, the GT3R Hybrid stores power in an electrically-driven flywheel. When the brakes generate electricity, that power is used to spin the flywheel. The driver can tap into that power -- up to about 160 additional horsepower -- using a button on the steering wheel.
The advantage of a flywheel is that it can store and release power quickly and repeatedly with little wear, making it ideal for racing. With computer controls substituting for the driver's thumb, this technology along with batteries could be available in Porsche cars in the future, said Porsche development driver Marc Lieb.The 918 Hybrid concept car was shown at this year's Geneva Motors Show in Switzerland.
"What we have shown in Switzerland is not only a concept car," said Detlev Von Platen, chief executive of Porsche Cars North America. "It is a clear prototype."
In fact, Porsche already has lined up buyers for a future production version of this super sports car.
"If the business case is OK for us, and we're assuming it will be OK, we will produce this car," Von Platen said.
Cars like this will be expensive, of course, Von Platen conceded. Porsche buyers are willing to pay a premium for the latest technology, he said. The one thing they aren't willing to compromise on is performance.
"We want to keep, for the consumer, the performance and agility of a Porsche," Von Platen said.
04-08-2010, 02:50 PM
#2
Nordschleife Master
Yeah EPA is now designing Porsches.
04-08-2010, 05:12 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
They MUST have some sort of an exception, it's ridicolous! They probably should request these MPGs from MASS produced cars, instead of every manufacturer.
At the end of the day, there are NOT POLLUTANTS, just CO2 which is also produced BY TREES, and at a MUCH HIGHER RATE by cattle we raise to have our steak and eat it too.
At the end of the day, there are NOT POLLUTANTS, just CO2 which is also produced BY TREES, and at a MUCH HIGHER RATE by cattle we raise to have our steak and eat it too.
04-08-2010, 06:11 PM
#6
Nordschleife Master
At the end of the day is all about public revenue raising, screw the people, and secure their political job tenure.
Trending Topics
04-08-2010, 11:55 PM
#8
Drifting
The only way they get an exemption is if the executive branch changes hands in 2012. Absent that, they don't have a chance at making the target MPG #s with only their own fleet. No chance.
