MotorAuthority

Porsche buyers won't go for stop-start tech

Posted Tue Jun 24 2008 10:42 PM by Nelson Ireson

The unveiling of the facelifted 911 Carrera and Carrera S is just complete, with the 911 Turbo and its Cabrio variant expected later this year. Porsche has focused on technological updates that add power and improve efficiency, including direct injection and a dual-clutch gearbox. Stop-start technology, on the other hand, is being resisted virulently by Porsche's own customers.

A very simple and effective way to increase any vehicle's fuel efficiency, stop-start technology allows the car's computer to shut the engine off when it would otherwise only be idling, such as when waiting at a stop light or in stop-and-go traffic. The engine starts itself right back up when the accelerator is depressed, offering seamless performance while saving all the fuel that would otherwise have been wasted.

But Porsche buyers won't have it, and the company's engineers are at a loss for eeking further improvements from the 911's flat six. The smaller, lighter Boxster might be able to get its CO2 emissions down to 180g/km, reports CAR, but it would be nearly impossible to get the 911 much below 200g/km, with 150g/km being out of the question.

The addition of stop-start technology could shave as much as 10g/km CO2 from the combined-cycle rating of Porsche's cars, however. Such a simple and inexpensive emissions reduction will become increasingly rare and at the same time more important as emissions standards clamp down in the EU and elsewhere. Still, buyers looking for the maximum in outright performance aren't concerned with such matters, and would prefer their cars to be free of the encumbrance.

story Tags:

• Porsche
• Technical

Reader Comments

• Wed Jun 25 2008 3:29 AM

  bambam says

  Its not that they rejected the stop start technology. its just that they rejected Porsche sales manager method of stop, start technology. its all about how you do it and how you ask them. I'm pretty sure if you have it they wouldn't even notice it. If you did it properly.
  
  Nice try, Porsche customers also don't want to be filling like an idiot when it comes to the environment. We don't won't green peace on our ass even if they can't catch up.

• Wed Jun 25 2008 9:21 AM

  Gus says

  Forcing niche carmakers like Porsche into compliance is a stupid as ignoring the effect of millions of 2-stroke mopeds all over the world putting out more emissions (and far more harmful ones than CO2) than any other vehicles on the road.
  
  Moronic beureaucrats, as usual...

• Wed Jun 25 2008 10:38 AM

  Tom Cooper says

  Buerreaucrats are generally the least well educated people to be dealing with any issue. The only way a scientist of any sort can get the attention and complience of a beurreaucrat is by sensationalizing an issue well beyond accurate levels. Cows produce C02 and methane. Once some retarded official wraps his brain around that concept are farmers going to start getting taxed for their greenhouse gas emissions as well ? People produce C02 also. Are governments going to charge us for breathing. How I dont burn down a forest and these government doushebags let me drive whatever I want.

• Wed Jun 25 2008 12:51 PM

  JD says

  "But Porsche buyers won’t have it..."
  "Still, buyers looking for the maximum in outright performance aren’t concerned with such matters, and would prefer their cars to be free of the encumbrance."
  What research are these claims based on? Was there a study or poll of some sort?