Porsche has now made a formal application for judicial review to try to force the mayor of London Ken Livingstone to amend his new congestion charges for high polluting vehicles.

However, the mayor has refused to amend the charge, which will see cars that emit more the 225g of CO2 every kilometre charged £25 to enter London.

“Porsche has a clear vested interest in attempting to block this ground-breaking scheme,” said Mr Livingstone.

“They should focus their attentions on cutting CO2 emissions from the cars they produce, rather than pursuing this pointless legal action which we will vigorously contest. “

Michèle Dix, managing director of planning at Transport for London, also pointed out that the principal aim of the scheme remains tackling congestion.

“The aim of the CO2 charge element and discount of the scheme is to cut CO2 emissions by reducing the number of very high emitting cars driving in central London,” she said.

“At the moment, 17% of cars driving in the charge zone are in Band G, while just 2% are in Bands A and B.

"We expect to see the number of Band G cars cut significantly over time.”

In response, Porsche filed its request for a judicial review, which gives the mayor 21 days top respond.

Andy Goss, managing director of Porsche, said: “The new £25 charge will have no meaningful impact on congestion.

"All it will do is unfairly hit large numbers of drivers in London and undermine London’s attractiveness as a place to do business.

"We are therefore formally applying for judicial review to challenge the Mayor’s proposals and we are confident we have a strong case.”

The Campaign for Better Transport has come out in support of the Mayor and Transport for London in moving towards the introduction of an emissions-related congestion charge.

It condemned Porsche for trying to prevent a “necessary and progressive” transport measure.

Campaigner, Richard Bourn said: "Porsche is trying to justify the unjustifiable by acting for unrestrained use of gas guzzling cars in London."