Porsche Halts Orders To Prepare For Tougher, Real-World Testing Standards

Porsche has stopped taking orders for its models as it readies its entire range for the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) standards set to come into effect in September.

To counteract the lack of new orders, Porsche has been increasing its existing stock of cars, a company spokesperson told Autocar.

“Due to the time this test procedure takes, some models might not be ready for 1 September. But we have grown the stocks of each car in the same way we would if a new model year were to be introduced so as to minimize the impact.”

The German car manufacturer will have to update and retest every model in its range to meet WLTP standards. Even tougher than the New European Driving Cycle tests, WLTP shifts emissions testing to the real world rather than the lab. After the testing, all Porsche models will be given new emissions and fuel economy numbers.

By not allowing European customers to order a custom vehicle, Porsche will avoid having to deliver cars that do not meet the WLTP regulations after September 1, which might cause delays in delivering such models.

BMW has been hit particularly hard by the new regulations and will soon discontinue the current M3. Additionally, petrol-powered 7-Series models will be pulled from the European market for roughly 12 months.