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The German sportscar maker Porsche AG is following a rather unorthodox method of cutting the average emissions of its fleet. Where most other producers of large-engines niche vehicles are looking at alternative fuels (like an ethanol powered Koenigsegg) or scaling down engine capacities (like the Ferrari Millechili concept), Porsche is hoping that another manufacturer’s green credentials will help it lower its output. (A similar argument to the theory posed by GreenCars surrounding the benefit of Tata buying the Land Rover brand.)

In a cunning move, Porsche is set to acquire a majority stake in Volkswagen/Audi. The European Commission approved the takeover on July 24, saying the deal would not stiffle automotive competition. This means that VW/Audi will in fact be a subsidiary of Porsche AG, allowing the sportscar maker to count VW/Audi products as part of its fleet of vehicles, and thereby drastically reducing its fleet’s average emissions. (Note that this is not a new idea, with Ford counting Mazda sales figures as part of its plan to offset high emissions from American vehicles with lower emissions from Asian sales.)

Porsche spokesmen emphasise that the emissions benefits are not the prime reason for the tie-up, though acknowledge the advantage – Porsche can continue producing its fuel sapping sportscars and SUV’s while sleeping easier on emissions standards in the EU and US.

However, a fact often overlooked is that Porsche will undoubtedly benefit from VW/Audi technology on several fronts. Remember, the VW Touareq, Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 are already sharing many components in a joint-development plan. Several further ventures combining expertise of the companies are possible, of which the most significant could be a diesel powered Cayenne SUV, which would sell like hot cakes in Europe and Asia. This is not as far-fetched as some might think. Porsche will build a diesel-powered Cayenne if North Americans overcome their reluctance to buy diesel cars, according to Klaus Berning, Porsche’s head of sales and marketing. In affirming this, Berning said in a June 2008 interview that diesel engines are definitely in Porsche’s future.

Likely, the sportscar guys will look at Audi’s 4.2 V8 and 6 litre V12 diesel engines doing work in the Q7 and A8. These are most notably cleaner than their petrol equivalents while still offering performance and refinement. (Though London-based Automotive Industry Data believes that a V6 diesel from the same stable is also viable.)

But let’s backtrack, a diesel Porsche? It’s like asking for a diesel Ferrari. Porsche said during the late 1990’s that it will newer attempt such a thing, However, Berning admits that in the past 5 years diesel technology, infrastructure and fuel quality has improved in leaps and bounds.

Still not convinced. Well, have a look at these pictures on the Auto Express website. They spotted a testing mule in Arjeplog, Sweden. A distinct diesel clatter was heard by the photographer as the vehicle pulled up to a black (= diesel in Sweden) fuel pump to fill up. Now that is some convincing evidence!

Other tricks up Porsche’s sleeve, on which GreenCars will report shortly, is planned hybrid versions of the upcoming Panamera grand saloon as well as new Cayenne.

By Christie Viljoen

Sources: Cartoday.com; Autoweek; Wheels24; AutoblogGreen; Auto Express; Motoring.co.za