Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking has hit back at accusations that his heavy luxury cars are ‘climate killers’ and suggested that, if the brand had to achieve an average of 130g/km of CO2 emissions, it would have to close its plants.
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In a forthright interview with a German newspaper at the weekend he said those that those who portray Porsche as a ‘climate killer’ are looking for a prominent target.
He said that Porsche would soon launch a hybrid Cayenne and that this would bring petrol consumption down to less than nine litres per kilometre. To achieve 130g/km CO2 emissions, petrol consumption would need to be six litres per kilometre. Wiedeking added that the new Panamera, due to be launched in 2009, would also be available as a hybrid.
Referring to the 130g/km limit proposed by the European Commission, Wiedeking said that Porsche would never reach this level, and nor would other luxury manufacturers. He said that if the limit were mandatory for all brands and manufacturers, Porsche would have to close its doors. German manufacturers would then only be able to produce small cars, added Wiedeking.
