MotorAuthority

Porsche 911 Carrera achieves 35mpg average fuel-economy

Posted Wed Dec 17 2008 6:25 AM by Kenneth Hall

The Porsche 911 Carrera equipped with the PDK transmission averaged 35mpg (6.7L/100km) over a 400 mile stretch

Porsche may not be known for the environmental qualities of its cars, but now the company is hoping to turn this around by proving that its cars can be economical if driven in the right way.

German motoring personality Klaus Niedzwiedz took on a challenge to see just how economical the 345hp (257kW) Porsche 911 Carrera could be if driven correctly. Equipped with Porsche's PDK dual-clutch transmission, Niedzwiedz managed to cover 400 miles (648km) on public roads, achieving a mileage figure of 35mpg (6.7L/100km). In the process, he easily outperformed the combined fuel consumption specified under the Euro 5 standard which, at 24mpg (9.8L/100km) already sets the required benchmark in this category of sports cars in terms of fuel economy.

During the challenge, the Porsche Carrera covered about 118 miles (190km) of the total route on country roads and 19 miles (30km) in city traffic, with the remaining distance on the Autobahn. The car’s tank was filled up prior to and after the test drive by a certified inspector of the German DEKRA Car Inspection Authority who also sealed the fuel tank and the engine compartment in the process. Under normal traffic conditions, with the headlights switched on, and with rain from time to time, the driver sought to keep the car’s engine speed between 1,800 and 2,000 rpm, with a road speed between 56–81mph (90-130km/h). The average speed achieved in the process was 52mph (84km/h).

In the words of test driver Klaus Niedzwiedz, “the result proves that with a lot of feeling and discipline you can even drive a 3.6L, 345hp (257kW) sports car very economically.” The test highlighted the efficacy of Porsche's new fuel-saving technologies, such as direct fuel injection, which improves fuel economy by more than 12%, as well as increasing power and torque. Porsche's dual-clutch transmission also provides significant fuel savings while cutting shift times and providing more performance.

Story Tags:

• 2009 Porsche 911
• 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera
• 911
• Carrera
• PDK
• Porsche
• Porsche Carrera PDK
• Porsche Doppel Kupplung

Reader Comments

• Wed Dec 17 2008 6:33 AM

  InkMaster says

  Thats actually pretty darn amazing for a car as powerful as this. I'd personally be happy if it got 25MPG, but 40+ is just wow.

• Wed Dec 17 2008 6:51 AM

  NoNameDenton says

  That is the EU cycle, translates to about 35 for the US, still a great number and a great car that keeps getting better.

• Wed Dec 17 2008 8:21 AM

  Chris says

  yeah.. imagine that.. if you keep the engine in the sweet spot as much as possible.. a car can get decent mileage..
  
  i may drive like a loony bin but my focus averages 40mpg.. and thats with my foot on the floor when ever accelerating...
  
  that 350 hp german sports car is nothing more than a really lean car with a very efficient engine..
  
  that engine's output probably didnt pass 80 hp at any point in the entire drive.

• Wed Dec 17 2008 2:05 PM

  SuperSkyline89 says

  If you're worried about fuel economy with a car like this then you should probably get a different car. Not that good fuel economy hurts, but it's not exactly the first thing you think of when buying a Porsche.

• Wed Dec 17 2008 5:38 PM

  iluvamericancarz says

  can you say miscalculation

• Wed Dec 17 2008 8:09 PM

  NoNameDenton says

  SuperSkyline89, rich people want to look good while they go around saying the care about the world/enviroment.