European leaders have recently come out in support of proposed EU CO2 standards that aim to cut average CO2 emissions for new vehicles from the present limit of 160g/km by 25% to 120g/km. Porsche does not believe its cars would be able to meet such a standard, and has threatened to take legal action if the EU does pass the new law, reports AFP.

Porsche, however, stressed that such legal action was only theoretical at this point, with any legal action occurring only after a visit to the EU commission to make its case on the grounds that such a law would violate fair trade principles within the EU. Nevertheless, Porsche's cars, such as the 911 Turbo pictured above, currently produce an average of 289g/km CO2, and would not be able to meet the new target by the 2012 deadline. In such a case the automaker would be forced to take legal action.

Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche's CEO, told the German business newspaper Handelsblatt he thought the proposed standards were "completely naive" adding that "realistically emissions can only be graded by vehicle segment." To do otherwise, says Porsche, would favor economy car companies over sports car companies.