Porsche brings CarPlay to older models with new upgrades

Porsche has refreshed its communication management system, which brings CarPlay to its Boxster, Cayman, and Cayenne lines of cars.

The new Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus (PCCM Plus) unit is a retrofitted touchscreen device, and they are available for the 997 Porsche 911, and 987 Porsche Boxster and Cayman built from 2005 to 2008, and the first-generation Porsche Cayenne built from 2003 to 2008.

The PCCM Plus replaces the vehicle's original double DIN form factor and can work with the original vehicle's existing dash cluster navigation displays. It can also play media from USB sticks and over Bluetooth and stores personal settings for the car.

Owners of one of these vehicles can order the new PCCM Plus through Porsche dealerships for $1,475.99, according to a report on Friday. Porsche recommends the device be fitted by its dealerships or an accredited Porsche Classic Partner.

Having the PCCM Plus work with the original system is reportedly challenging to achieve due to the Controller Area Network (CAN Bus) in some vehicles. It's a protocol that lets microcontrollers and other devices communicate with each other without a host computer.

Porsche did something similar in 2020 when it released CarPlay kits for some of its vintage vehicles. As a result, drivers could install the kit on any Porsche, from a 1960s Porsche 911 to a 1990s Porsche 993.