PCM: Apple car play Ultra update

[snstevens]

My issues with the PCM are that it is unreliable (sometimes just won't start), non-intuitive (layout of menus), isn't fully integrated with Apple Maps for navigation, and sometimes I have to make it jump through hoops to get it to connect to CarPlay (which I count on for mapping, contacts, messaging, etc.).

It is clear that Porsche is on a steep SW learning curve, with a PCM product that would be rejected by consumers were it not for the fact that we need it to operate our Taycans. I don't think anyone buys a Porsche for it's well-designed, and easy to use PCM, whereas I know of people who find other vendors control systems to be at times brilliant, while the car itself may suffer from build quality or mechanical design issues.

My worry is that the architecture of the PCM is fundamentally flawed, and that no amount of iteration/updates will make it a product I love using. But in full disclosure, I'm come to terms with its deficiencies, and driving the Taycan is such a great experience that I'll put up with things I would not otherwise accept.

Which brings me to CarPlay Ultra. In my ideal world, Porsche would build a new PCM that uses CarPlay Ultra as its foundation, and in fact doesn't require an iPhone at all. Then, for folks with Android and iOS devices, it would add connection mechanisms so we could access apps such as Messages, Maps, Weather, Music, etc.

In this "CarPlay is the Foundation of the PCM" alternate reality, Porsche would coordinate with Apple on CarPlay Ultra updates, and then provide OTA updates on a regular basis. In this model a default PCM with its' foundation as CarPlay Ultra would come automatically configured, and then allow for customization by the user. The current PCM would fade away and simply be a bad memory for us first generation purchasers.

Now back to the real world ?

If Porsche does adopt CarPlay Ultra I worry that there will be longer terms issues. The foundation of the PCM will still be a poorly designed architecture, and I would have to design a full PCM replacement (every screen, every control) using a customizable Apple CarPlay Ultra, that is simply a patch on top of a shitty PCM. Could I do it? Yes I could. Do I want to? No.

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[Caraholic]

They actually can, you just need to request for the ECU responsible for that to be updated. Which they may deny you to do the update, but with it, it does allow for a lot more colors, same as j2.

This would be great. I will ask my service department if they can. Second best feature of the J1.2 for me. First of course is push to pass.

 

[MissionC]

I have an EV Macan 4 while my Taycan’s battery module is replaced and the PCM is quite good. Very responsive and more modern-looking than the Taycan PCM. That said, I vastly prefer CarPlay than the built-in functionality. Running it in dark mode as the default makes a huge difference and it blends in better with Taycan than the light mode UI.

 

[MHC]

Also would be a car play ultra fan. It would be great if available for my 2023 Taycan. I wont be surprised though if it’s only a future gen option or maybe available on Gen 1.2

 

[cometguy]

One of the things that I dislike about CarPlay currently is that you can't project what's on your phone onto the car's screen; it's all modified. I would like exactly what Google Maps displays on my iPhone to be projected onto my car screen (or better yet, what's displayed on Google Maps on my desktop or laptop computer) -- including showing all hotels, restaurants, parks, stores, etc., in the field-of-view, and I'd like a permanent scale bar on my car screen (whether Apple CarPlay or just the built-in Porsche maps are displayed). It's mind-boggling to display a map on a screen and not have the scale shown.

And as I've written before on this forum, I'm amazed and saddened that Porsche had much better navigation (both maps and voice recognition) in my 2018 and 2019 Porsches than in today's screens. The navigation in my 2018 and 2019 Porsches was actually so good that I rarely needed and rarely used CarPlay then; but the current versions of Porsche maps/navigation leads me now to rely heavily on CarPlay for planning my driving. How does an automaker go *backwards* in navigation technology? That takes really inept people in software design as well as in overall management.

 

[unbiased]

I am probably in the minority but don’t find Apple CarPlay very helpful. And ultra will never come to any of the Taycans, old or new. With the integration of Rivian I don’t think any of the VW group cars will get it. Actually I wouldn’t be surprised if they eventually completely ditch CarPlay or android auto entirely.

 

[chun]

For the people saying taycan will never get it; Porsche is one of the 2 automakers listed by apple as getting it first since this new Carplay was ever announce; and one of the 2 apple worked with developing this version of carplay. So unless this version of carplay was developed on the operating system of the new macan EV in 2020; when it didn't even exist, it for sure was developed for PCM 6 (used in newer taycan, 911, panamera, cayenne, etc).

We will see. I also find it hard to believe porsche will support 2 versions of apple car play instead of just one; and they do need to support it for taycan 2025 j1.2, which launched with same PCM software as taycan 2020.

 

[Brombaer1971]

The new version „Ultra“ of CarPlay was basically greeted with a „meh“ after First videos appeared. And to be honest as a software guy I don‘t see much upgrade to the car. As a 1st gen Taycan owner I would vouch more for the added functionality of the 2nd gen (charging comes to mind).

 

[Caraholic]

I don’t think Porsche can’t give it to us gen one owners I just believe they won’t. Would love to be wrong though

 

[GreenHornet]

Don’t worry, the new Taycan J2 will have it!

Not going to happen. The PCM in the Taycan, both generations, is basically the same system as the Audi e-tron. Developed back in 2017 based on linux with docker. Even when it get's a hardware upgrade for the 2026 modelyear it will not be able to run anything new in the instrument cluster for example. This is because the architecture is set up so that is not possible.

The main difference for the 2026 modelyear will be much better responstime and some new features. But nothing radically changed.

 

[Jasper4S]

Not going to happen. The PCM in the Taycan, both generations, is basically the same system as the Audi e-tron. Developed back in 2017 based on linux with docker. Even when it get's a hardware upgrade for the 2026 modelyear it will not be able to run anything new in the instrument cluster for example. This is because the architecture is set up so that is not possible.

The main difference for the 2026 modelyear will be much better responstime and some new features. But nothing radically changed.

J2 is next gen, not J1.2

 

[GreenHornet]

J2 is next gen, not J1.2

Semantics. I know J1.2 is not a new generation, but an iteration.

 

[Jasper4S]

Semantics. I know J1.2 is not a new generation, but an iteration.

Statement was that J2 will get Carplay Ultra, you reacted with J1.2’s hardware is too bad. So I wanted to inform you about the difference in models and you are saying different things. If it comes to Taycan, it will be J2, so next gen, not iteration

 

[GreenHornet]

Statement was that J2 will get Carplay Ultra, you reacted with J1.2’s hardware is too bad. So I wanted to inform you about the difference in models and you are saying different things. If it comes to Taycan, it will be J2, so next gen, not iteration

I agree. I misread ?

 

[chun]

Again, reminding people.

Apple car play ultra was announced years ago for Porsche as main partener for developed, for pcm6 (taycan and at the time upcoming 911).
Later Aston Martin was added; which released it first now we know.
And several other companies were announced last year and this year.

I don't see a world where Porsche stops supporting integration for brand new released 2025 taycan (same software and hardware as j1 taycan). And I also don't see a world were Porsche supports 2 versions of it, they are not capable of that

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