? PCM 6 Update Announcement [Update: Retrofit Being Explored For Existing Taycans]

[feye]

Where do I get this SDK? And can I create my own apps and distribute them to my car?

Porsche: "Until now, it was almost impossible for us to write our own apps. We would have had to send our code to the supplier (of the PCM) to have it integrated into the overall system at great expense."

So basically, the SDK is mostly for Porsche to develop things like the calendar app. It sounds like in this article that they only give out the SDK to companies, if Porsche can make money with the data they produce in the car...

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[feye]

Eh, the point is totally specious IMO. This is my fourth Porsche, but the capabilities, and importance, of in car tech has been a step function increase only recently. When I started driving in the 80s "in car tech" was a radio. Even as "recently" as 2000 basic navigation wasn't really a thing. Today there is a huge expectation for integrated technology and the entire car is controlled through the PCM; this is doubly true for electric cars. You really can't compare generations of the 911 value system to the Taycan. I saw someone reference the Carrera GT. Yeah... On the Carrera GT no one is going to complain that "the PCM is slow" because, you know, it didnt have one. The Taycan is... not the Carrera GT.

But most cars had a standard slot, and one could pretty easily buy a really nice piece of hightech "PCM" to replace the basic one from the car maker. That option does not exist anymore. So we stuck with the stock stuff in the car and as such we could expect, that they at least fix the bugs to make is work properly.

 

[feye]

Nice to see what is available from others. Just shows how much behind the market Porsche really is.

Or perhaps even more highlights how much ignorant Porsche is.

Or is it simply down to the difference between in-house (BMW) and external supplier (Porsche) development?

 

[feye]

Reading a current German article on the update, it is very clearly phrased...

Happen to remember the source?

 

[feye]

The Taycan will be my first (modern) Porsche. I just sold my Tesla Model 3 Performance, which I drove daily for the past 18 months. I sold the Tesla to get away from what is, essentially, an iPad on wheels.

You can relax. I only complain about the few bugs I experience daily, because here in China the cars are so expensive (due to being imported in a golden container?) that even small bugs in the software makes one feel a little cheated.

But yes, the car looks amazing and is super solid on the road. I really do not want to drive any other car at the moment...

 

[JM Lora]

I DEFINITELY hope that we will be able to upgrade our cars ...

Well, I have a Taycan 4S 2021, my 5th porsche, if porsche don't do the upgrade for the pcm to my car. I think is my last porsche, it's not fair this.

 

[JM Lora]

So it’s not sure or this is an possible update for current owners…

This will be very disappointed and me as I client of porsche, will not trust porsche again to buy other electric car. Tesla do the upgrades and all brands will do. So what it's the problem with this new pcm????? Why not do the upgrade for all of us that have 2021 and 2020 taycan. It's just not fair and very ugly experience. Hope they do and Hope they read all the taycan forums in the world.

 

[Sampocketpc]

Anyone tried writing or contacting Porsche HQ about this?
I’m sure all is 19-20-21 will sign the petitions.

 

[scav]

Anyone tried writing or contacting Porsche HQ about this?
I’m sure all is 19-20-21 will sign the petitions.

As a 2022 I would sigh it as well, because next year it’s us who are being told we are obsolete. After buying a car marketed as OTA for pretty much everything from UX to drivetrain improvements.

Nobody went into these cars expecting too much. Porsche sat the bar, they created the expectations, and they better damn well delivery on them.

First Porsche. Last one if they have been marketing the cars falsely.

 

[scav]

I have spoken to my dealer and they think it’s late summer for existing 2022, but not for older cars. Again, not a confirmation. It’s just bizarre to me, how Porsche either don’t give a fuck informing their official dealers, or they just don’t understand that it’s not 1970 anymore. They have new generations of customers rolling in with new expectations.

 

[tomdfw1]

UPDATE 1/25:

Porsche has confirmed that PCM 6.0 is not being made available to existing owners, but a retrofit option is being investigated. This was their reply statement:

“The new functions are now part of the standard equipment of every newly configured Porsche 911, Taycan, Cayenne, and Panamera. Whether there will be a retrofit option for existing vehicles with PCM 6.0 is currently being evaluated.”​

Porsche infotainment system update: more versatile, more intuitive, more intelligent

24/01/2022
Porsche is enhancing its infotainment system. The latest, sixth generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) in the 911, Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera models now has many new functions.

These include native integration of Spotify for the first time, a revised interface design, additional optimisation of Voice Pilot voice assistant, wireless Android Auto connection and improvements for planning charging stops for electric vehicles.

Optimised PCM user interface
New, coloured icons make the functions of the revised PCM 6.0 user interface easier to recognise. Porsche made this improvement at the suggestion of its customers.

Revised user interface for the PCM 6.0
In addition to a clearer display, the PCM update improves the scope of the Voice Pilot. The integrated voice assistant is further improved and makes it easier to access several functions. These include news, the operating manual and in-car music streaming.

Native Spotify integration
Porsche drivers have direct access to their favourite Spotify songs and podcasts in the revised PCM 6.0. Spotify Premium customers can link their account to the vehicle using their Porsche ID and use Spotify as an additional media source.

Native Spotify integration
The vehicle accesses the streaming service provider directly without having to use a smartphone. Through this new integration, drivers will have instant access to more than 70 million songs and 3.2 million podcasts right at their fingertips – all required data is included in Porsche Connect. The app also displays the Like function, all saved playlists and the new Go to Radio option, which looks for a piece of music similar to the one currently playing.

Charging Planner with improved algorithms
With electric cars, it is important to plan the route as efficiently as possible. That is why Porsche has improved the calculation of charging sessions in the Charging Planner. The optimised algorithm prioritises to a greater extent charging stations which offer a higher energy output and plans charging stops more efficiently. These improvements are also based on customer feedback. Additionally, the Charging Planner now also takes into account the time required to start and end the charging process at the charging station when calculating the total driving time. Together, these measures make for a much improved charging experience.

PCM Update for all 911, Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera models
For a better overview, a dynamic zoom function for charging stations during the trip has been introduced. The system shows all available charging options in the immediate vicinity including whether or not they are currently in use. In the wider view, the display is limited to fast-charging stations. A new filter makes it possible to sort charging points by output. The PCM 6.0 navigation system also includes a revised route monitor, on which relevant events can be individually displayed or hidden during the trip. The new functions are standard as of now on every newly configured Porsche 911, Taycan, Cayenne and Panamera. The exact scope depends on the equipment and powertrain type of the vehicle.

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/202...ent-pcm-infotainment-system-update-27152.html

My MY22 delivered Nov 23 shows PCM version 5.5.1. Does anyone show a newer version for their car?

 

[sfr]

My MY22 delivered Nov 23 shows PCM version 5.5.1. Does anyone show a newer version for their car?

5.5.1 ? Where did you see that ?

 

[tomdfw1]

5.5.1 ? Where did you see that ?

I clicked on "Info" button on the main screen. It will then show 1) Legal Notices and 2) Data Protection Notice. I click then on the ... on bottom right and it will show you your version.

I am interested what others have in their car and MY. Notice the TXT version seems to be a date: April 14 2021. Probably when this hardware was made.

Note: The info button was greyed out at times and seems to want to connect to a LTE connection to work.

 

[mlambert890]

I have spoken to my dealer and they think it’s late summer for existing 2022, but not for older cars. Again, not a confirmation. It’s just bizarre to me, how Porsche either don’t give a fuck informing their official dealers, or they just don’t understand that it’s not 1970 anymore. They have new generations of customers rolling in with new expectations.

If this turns out to be true, it could be there is some kind of legit hardware upgrade in the 2022 (not just part number increment, but reflective of an actual capability change). If thats the case, they really owe 2020/2021 Taycan owners. Every other car was PCM5. Taycan was released with PCM 6. Now every car will be PCM 6, but the good PCM 6, not the flawed v1 they pushed on early adopters for a hot minute. That's a really bad look. It will also hurt resale value for a car like this. "Avoid the 20/21's... they had the shit early version of the PCM. Useless. Stick with 2022s that got the new hardware unless you get a great deal"

 

[nickmdp]

If this turns out to be true, it could be there is some kind of legit hardware upgrade in the 2022 (not just part number increment, but reflective of an actual capability change). If thats the case, they really owe 2020/2021 Taycan owners. Every other car was PCM5. Taycan was released with PCM 6. Now every car will be PCM 6, but the good PCM 6, not the flawed v1 they pushed on early adopters for a hot minute. That's a really bad look. It will also hurt resale value for a car like this. "Avoid the 20/21's... they had the shit early version of the PCM. Useless. Stick with 2022s that got the new hardware unless you get a great deal"

With the exception of people that really care about wireless android auto and spotify integration, I'm not so sure anyone will really notice. I'm sure it will have some other small improvements here and there, but it seems pretty early to declare that this PCM update will somehow impact used car buyers much, if at all.

If you're of the mind that the current PCM is terrible and needs updates, you're putting a lot of faith in a company that already didn't get it right to do so on their second try, and if things are working fine for you, be happy that you've got something that works well for you rather than wanting to roll the dice with a new PCM that you might not like.

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