Broken VLC Variable Light Control roof example on new Taycan at dealership.

[coastal]

I went to the dealership to look at varying colors and see what VLC looked liked in person. Sales person pulled out this Taycan that they haven't sold yet, still new. Tried out the VLC, it was broken. The trip was beneficial because I decided after trying it out that I prefer the darker smoke tinted looking glass of the fixed pano roof on the ceiling versus the VLC matte white glass version. Looking thru the "clear/off" glass on the VLC version also appears to be a little bit hazy compared to the fixed pano roof version which is much clearer although tinted heavily. Prefer the dark tinted higher optical clarity version of the fixed pano roof. Attached video of me trying out the VLC. One of the sections on the roof is stuck "matte" no matter what we did.

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[gnr3312]

The VLC-equipped glass is not tinted?

 

[coastal]

From my eyes, it it the same non-tinted glass as the side/rear/windshield, but has a slight white haze to it that makes the objects outside have less clarity when the car is on and its set to clear/off.

 

[Flying ace]

Not tinted. Looks broken, though it may be a coding fix.

I love VLC, I am ordering the Cayenne EV with it. The Cayenne version has more adjustability.

 

[prj]

Not tinted. Looks broken, though it may be a coding fix.

I love VLC, I am ordering the Cayenne EV with it. The Cayenne version has more adjustability.

That's not a coding fix, that's a $10k+ fix and the car is going to spend a bunch of time at the dealer.

 

[SergeyIndy]

I said many times, do not get the VLC, this is a good example that it malfunctions and requires full replacement. One of the recent build reviews we did still went for it.

 

[CoolDadLo]

Yep. That was probably me. I know you’ve thrown caution to the wind @SergeyIndy . I have to think that there are outliers with such cases as of these vs. the many people claiming to love theirs. Hoping, that mine is forever in working condition. Curious… Its either warranty covered for this malfunction or Insurance covered. Ones things for sure is that I’m not paying more than my deductible to ever fix! Does anyone have knowledge if it’s covered under Porsche’s warranty? Otherwise USAA has my back

 

[SergeyIndy]

Yep. That was probably me. I know you’ve thrown caution to the wind @SergeyIndy . I have to think that there are outliers with such cases as of these vs. the many people claiming to love theirs. Hoping, that mine is forever in working condition. Curious… Its either warranty covered for this malfunction or Insurance covered. Ones things for sure is that I’m not paying more than my deductible to ever fix! Does anyone have knowledge if it’s covered under Porsche’s warranty? Otherwise USAA has my back

That is you, and I respect your decision but...

The point I have been trying to make is that the risk of it failing is high (Porsche is bad at this tech) and then replacement, although covered, almost certainly be painful as it may take long time to source (global events anyone?), then have you imagined what a replacement will look like by removing the roof and disturbing factory fit and finish and lining (who is doing it?), most likely resulting in all kinds of problems and your car spending time in a shop (they will be very careful with your interior?) - total nightmare to me for zero gain of some barely blocking the sun function, where a $300 removable shade is just perfect that I use.

 

[CoolDadLo]

That is you, and I respect your decision but...

The point I have been trying to make is that the risk of it failing is high (Porsche is bad at this tech) and then replacement, although covered, almost certainly be painful as it may take long time to source (global events anyone?), then have you imagined what a replacement will look like by removing the roof and disturbing factory fit and finish and lining (who is doing it?), most likely resulting in all kinds of problems and your car spending time in a shop (they will be very careful with your interior?) - total nightmare to me for zero gain of some barely blocking the sun function, where a $300 removable shade is just perfect that I use.

Where’s the faith!? You’re not wrong in what you said, just a matter of perspective and how you look at potential problems or not. I just take the fear out of it all. I guess it’s just my nature. You’ll be the first person I tell if I have any issues. Car is locked now anyways, so my vibe has to stay positive. Now, I’ll be pissed if it doesn’t work upon delivery after all this waiting.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Where’s the faith!? You’re not wrong in what you said, just a matter of perspective and how you look at potential problems or not. I just take the fear out of it all. I guess it’s just my nature. You’ll be the first person I tell if I have any issues. Car is locked now anyways, so my vibe has to stay positive. Now, I’ll be pissed if it doesn’t work upon delivery after all this waiting.

I agree. Let's keep it positive. The case that I witness myself was on a brand new just arrived 2022 GTS. I met the owner and was actually with him on a ride to Atlanta for a day of driving at the track. I did ask him about it, but for him it is water under the bridge as he has so many cars, and this is one of many. His prized possession is recently delivered 911 GT3 Sonderwunsch, so he is not worried about some roof lining on the Taycan.

 

[CoolDadLo]

I agree. Let's keep it positive. The case that I witness myself was on a brand new just arrived 2022 GTS. I met the owner and was actually with him on a ride to Atlanta for a day of driving at the track. I did ask him about it, but for him it is water under the bridge as he has so many cars, and this is one of many. His prized possession is recently delivered 911 GT3 Sonderwunsch, so he is not worried about some roof lining on the Taycan.

Cool little story. Let’s hope this ‘26 has better production, somehow someway. And you’re right, I’ll be distracted by motorcycles season anyway. I’ll park even this car if the weather is too nice. See there I go again minimizing the fear, in this case going down on a bike. Fingers crossed, it’s a 25 year hobby. Fun perspective of that other owner. I want to be like that, hence why I don’t care about depreciation as much and have learned to just keep cars, because my ROI is always horrible. In a few years maybe I’ll add to the stable, but it’ll be a ‘58 corvette for me

 

[gnr3312]

Cool little story. Let’s hope this ‘26 has better production, somehow someway. And you’re right, I’ll be distracted by motorcycles season anyway. I’ll park even this car if the weather is too nice. See there I go again minimizing the fear, in this case going down on a bike. Fingers crossed, it’s a 25 year hobby. Fun perspective of that other owner. I want to be like that, hence why I don’t care about depreciation as much and have learned to just keep cars, because my ROI is always horrible. In a few years maybe I’ll add to the stable, but it’ll be a ‘58 corvette for me

FWIW I was looking for one with the VLC when I got mine but couldn’t find one so I gave up on the option. I will do it again in a few years and look for one with it

 

[sacman]

Not tinted. Looks broken, though it may be a coding fix.

I love VLC, I am ordering the Cayenne EV with it. The Cayenne version has more adjustability.

What made you order the Cayenne EV while having the Taycan CT?

 

[prj]

Btw, I didn't even think about the lack of tint.
Indeed the VLC is clear when off, so it lets through significantly more heat than the non-VLC roof during that time. It only lets in less heat when it's all hazy.

It's like creating an artificial problem to solve and then solving it.

 

[chun]

It's like creating an artificial problem to solve and then solving it.

Like they did with the air vents. Remove the simple mechanism for adjusting the direction manually... to spend millions on software and servomotors that break and annoy the owners German ingenuity...

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