Thursday 19th January 2023

Porsche PCCM Plus launched for 997 and 987 Boxster

Hydraulic steering and Apple CarPlay, you say? The perfect Porsche!

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While it’s very easy to moan about pointless technology in new cars (because there’s a lot of it), there are certain things we all now find hard to go without. Not so long ago it was Bluetooth, but now smartphone mirroring is probably considered essential equipment. Only nobody would want to give up their modern classic (or even anything pre-2014, really) for the sake of infotainment. Solution? Spend lots of money on a new car that’s both brilliant and connected, which seems a bit extreme, or invest in some tech upgrades for an old car. Best of both worlds, right?

Porsche has offered Classic Communication Management (PCCM) and Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus (PCCM Plus) since 2020, when it was launched for pre-993 911s and “earlier front- and mid-engine models”. Now it’s being made available to host of new models, appropriately enough those that feature in our best sports car vote; owners of the 997.1-era 911 and the earliest 987 Caymans/Boxsters can now have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto through an official Porsche system. Hallelujah.

Replacing the built-in devices ‘perfectly’, says Porsche, PCCM Plus offers a 7-inch touchscreen, DAB+, the latest navigation (useful if out of data, perhaps), and an updated trip computer. The new system can be paired with existing audio equipment like speakers and amps, and doesn’t interfere with the dash anymore than previously, those curious old ventilation controls left well alone.

“There is huge demand for contemporary networking of our timeless classics. And soon after the successful launch of the infotainment systems for retrofitting, we received corresponding queries from owners of early 911 generation 997,” said Ulrike Lutz, Director of Porsche Classic. “This is why we’re now significantly extending our range of Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus devices for retrofitting.”

Available on model years 2005 to 2008 for 911, Boxster and Cayman, as well as 2003-2008MY Cayennes, PCCM Plus is available to order now from Porsche Classic. In Germany, the price is €1,520.37 (£1,333), including VAT but without fitting. If we assume that’ll be a few hundred quid at an OPC, there’s the potential to have a lovely, early Cayman S like this one ready to play every podcast under the sun in 2023, for significantly less than £20k - nice.

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[Twinair]

That is cool & eco friendly too.

Well done Porsche.

[s94wht]

The price is extortionate, but then, it's Porsche.

As an aside, the things I'd do to have that GT3 on the drive! *drool*

[dunc69]

A 997 with Apple CarPlay would be a very, very cool sports car that would be easier to daily. Good work Porsche.

[DeejRC]

Am I the only person who turns Apple CarPlay off and puts it onto the proper car Nav screen?
Cant bloody stand Google maps on only half the screen, sodding messages coming up all the time.

[Gad-Westy]

DeejRC said:

Am I the only person who turns Apple CarPlay off and puts it onto the proper car Nav screen?
Cant bloody stand Google maps on only half the screen, sodding messages coming up all the time.

I tend to just use apple maps or Waze. Think you can set what level of notification you receive. I hate audible instructions, always have those off.

Had the PCCM system for the 996. Very expensive, there is no denying but I have always hated non-OEM looking retrofits so it was really PCCM+ or live with old multichanger etc. Can't say I regret spending the money as I felt that it absolutely transformed the car but I can see why others might think this a little on the pricey side.

[kith]

Great idea but the wired connection into the front of the unit looks clumsy. At that price, there should at least be a hidden input wire or better still a Bluetooth connection.

[Snubs]

s94wht said:

The price is extortionate, but then, it's Porsche.

I think BMW want £2,000 just to install DAB radio in my 2012 5-series, which was a cost option at the time. By comparison this looks quite appealing!

[Charlie_1]

Bit confused have a 21 BGTS 4.0 which has apple carplay but no android auto and apparently wasnt available but a bolt on extra does?

[Ed Moses]

Now we need to know when a version will be out for the 997/987.2 variants.

[Speedgirl]

So, 15 years after 997.1/987.1 ended production they is now „modern classics“ and get the upgrade treatment.
The satnav looks good and PCM 6 equivalent is big step up over PCM 2 re navigation. Bigger screen, full postcode and more stuff. I have no idea what Apple Car Play is but people seem to like it. I don’t think it stops you hearing the engine.
Thing is, you do lose buttons and the CD/DVD slot. So it is a bit aftermarket. They could have just copied the similar looking PCM 3 (no retro key pad) but with new electronic gubbins inside.
I don’t think I’ll be upgrading my 991 in 2030 as it all works just fine.

[kambites]

It does rather look like it's a cheap off-the-shelf android head unit with a Porsche skin put on top. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing if it's a good one.

[nismo48]

s94wht said:

The price is extortionate, but then, it's Porsche.

As an aside, the things I'd do to have that GT3 on the drive! *drool*

Good point

[Pflanzgarten]

I personally think it would be better if they just did a CarPlay/Android mirroring head unit at half the price with no built in nav.

[Type R Tom]

kambites said:

It does rather look like it's a cheap off-the-shelf android head unit with a Porsche skin put on top. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing if it's a good one.

That's what I was thinking, should have teamed up with Alpine / Sony / Kenwood etc. then there value would be there.

[snotrag]

Its ~£2000 on Design911 so I can imagine it being £2500 fitted at your local OPC.

[Gad-Westy]

Pflanzgarten said:

I personally think it would be better if they just did a CarPlay/Android mirroring head unit at half the price with no built in nav.

If it's like the 996 version, it doesn't even come with a nav sd card. Porsche charged £100 extra for that, the cheeky bar stewards. I didn't bother but occasionally it would have been useful when starting a journey in a poor reception area.

[Adoddle]

Tempted by one of these on my boggo 987 Cayman for quality of life. Would be a good % cost of the car though!

[LSweeney87]

Got my GT3 booked in for it at the end of Feb. Car is absolutely wonderful, but adding some extra convenience, especially with the Nav just makes it even better. As mentioned though, price is a bit steep but it being OEM makes it more palatable in my mind

[gofervox]

Nice. If only Merc did the same for my 04 SL

[S600BSB]

kith said:

Great idea but the wired connection into the front of the unit looks clumsy. At that price, there should at least be a hidden input wire or better still a Bluetooth connection.

Spot on. What were they thinking - need a wired connection for CarPlay etc. Really poor.