Porsche has unveiled a new generation of its infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM) 6.0.
The update introduces a range of new online functions, a redesigned menu, and an updated version of the Porsche Connect smartphone app. Android Auto integration is now also widely available on Porsche models for the first time.
A basic version of the 6.0 system can already be found in the all-electric Porsche Taycan, but the company has now introduced the new infotainment technology as standard on the 911, Cayenne, and Panamera. Taycan drivers will also receive a wireless update to unlock more features.
Connected intelligent navigation is one of the significant updates in the shift to PCM 6.0. Porsche states that the hardware supporting the system is now significantly more powerful, allowing the infotainment system to monitor traffic more closely and calculate an alternative route even faster in the event of an accident or road closure.
When on the highway, the system can inform the driver about the amount of traffic in each lane with marks of different colors. Porsche also states that its new software can even take into account if the car is towing a trailer or caravan, accurately calculating an arrival time based on the lower posted speed limit.
Porsche Risk Radar is another new feature, utilizing information from the car’s driver assistance technology and swarm data from nearby vehicles to notify the driver of nearby hazards. As the system now has its own internet connection, Porsche says it will also be able to more accurately notify the driver of the current speed limit.
Natural voice control has also been added, which Porsche claims can determine what the driver needs without a pre-set list of commands. For example, simply telling the system “I need gas” will automatically set the satellite navigation to the nearest gas station. Similarly, saying “I’m cold” will increase the cabin temperature by two degrees.
The new voice control feature can be used to control communication and navigation instructions and can control seat massage and air conditioning functions. Porsche says it can also change the color of the interior ambient lighting upon request.
There is also a new user interface with a simplified menu design, which Porsche says is “quieter and more refined” than the previous system. There is also faster search functionality for points of interest, a less cluttered map view, and additional support for Android Auto. Google Assistant is also included thanks to this latest development.
Porsche has also released an updated version of the Porsche Connect smartphone app. This allows owners remote access to their vehicle’s data and enables them to operate certain vehicle functions when they are away from their car.
With the app, drivers can check their car’s battery or fuel level, check tire pressure, remotely unlock doors, and preset the interior temperature. The car’s heated seats, steering wheel, and windshield can also be activated remotely.
Every Porsche equipped with PCM 6.0 also receives a virtual race coach, which can be accessed from the driver’s smartphone or directly from the infotainment system. It features a database of 300 international tracks, as well as instructions on their recommended racing lines and a lap timer to allow drivers to check their progress on the circuit.
Porsche is also developing an adaptive ambient noise system, with different soundtracks and audio signals in the cabin depending on the driver’s mood and the route taken. The technology is still in development, but Porsche has expressed its desire to put it into production.
