Remote Services enables remote access to relevant vehicle information such as the current fuel tank level, remaining driving range, odometer reading, average fuel consumption and average speed. It is also possible to control specific vehicle functions from the app, such as folding of the optional electric door mirrors and locking of the doors. The app can also help users navigate back to the vehicle – which may involve activating the horn or hazard lights to quickly find the vehicle, e.g. in crowded parking lots. Safety Services include automatic roadside service. If the car breaks down, the vehicle's location and relevant vehicle information are automatically transmitted to Porsche. In case of an accident, the telematics systems integrated in the vehicle transmit the vehicle's location and information to a “Secure Operating Centre” that immediately makes an emergency call if necessary.

Not only does Porsche Car Connect enhance safety for the driver and front passenger; it also protects the vehicle from theft. Thanks to the Porsche Vehicle Tracking System that is integrated in the vehicle, unauthorised vehicle movement is immediately detected, and it is reported to the driver by push notification and to a central alarm centre. This ensures that the vehicle can be localised and then be recovered in coordination with local authorities. Porsche Car Connect is currently available in 44 European countries including Russia, the USA, Canada and South Africa. In some countries certain functions of Porsche Car Connect can also be operated by Apple Watch in addition to the smartphone app.

Porsche Connect App: perfect interface between driver and vehicle

The Porsche Connect App is also part of the new PCM. It lets users store addresses from a smartphone calendar and address book in a personal favourites list and, when the vehicle's Wi-Fi connection is active, call them up via the PCM for navigation. It is also possible to adopt navigation destinations from images in the photo gallery of the smartphone, provided that the image was stored with GPS coordinates. A Google search integrated in the app also makes it possible to use destinations from Google search results. In addition, the smartphone's calendar can be displayed via the PCM. Calendar entries for which an address is stored may be set as navigation destinations. Another component of the Porsche Connect App is Music Services. It lets users play back music from various music streaming providers via the PCM's music player. In some cases, it is necessary to install apps from the providers on the smartphone beforehand and to register with the providers.

Very easy integration of smartphones

The new PCM offers a number of ways to connect a smartphone: by cable, Bluetooth or, for the first time, by Wi-Fi connection. A SIM card is needed to use a data connection via Wi-Fi. The smartphone's SIM card can be used for this. As an alternative, a card reader beneath the PCM display is available for an external SIM card.

All users of an Apple iPhone, version 5 or higher, can also use their iPhone apps while driving thanks to Apple Car Play. To use Car Play, the iPhone must be connected to the PCM via a USB cable. Then apps such as the phone, news and music apps can be used safely during the drive using either PCM controls or Apple's Siri voice control. Messages, for example, will then be input or read exclusively via Siri while driving.

To ensure that data reception in the vehicle is essentially interference-free, the PCM integrates a smartphone tray in the centre console for optimised mobile phone reception. When there is an active connection, the smartphone's antenna signal is transmitted to the vehicle's outside antenna, and this significantly enhances connection quality.

Touchscreen with user-customised display

Practically all configurable vehicle functions can be set via the PCM, e.g. creating a trip log, and users can select individual parameters for the optional Sport Chrono Package and evaluate its data. The new MyScreen function lets users individually configure up to three different screen layouts. Entertainment features include analogue and digital radio (DAB) with 15 pre-set stations, a CD/DVD drive and a jukebox with an SSD hard drive that can store around 3000 songs. Two SD card readers, a USB interface in the glove compartment and an AUX port give the driver other input sources for the PCM.

As alternatives to the standard sound system, Porsche is also offering two other audio systems in combination with the new PCM – each with twelve loudspeakers. The Bose system has an output power of 445 watts, and the high-end Burmester system has a power output of 821 watts.