‘Apple CarPlay? In My Vintage Porsche?’ It’s More Likely Than You Think
If you’re at all like me, you long to own a classic Porsche 911. Where we may differ is whether that classic 911 needs a modern stereo. But if you can’t live without your satellite radio, Bluetooth audio or Apple CarPlay (or possibly Android Auto), Porsche has you covered with the Porsche Classic Communication Management system: a pair of modern stereo head units designed to fit — physically and aesthetically — in all sorts of classic Porsche models.
Related: 2020 Porsche 911 Review: Is There Such a Thing as Too Good?
Porsche has long been in the business of supporting owners of its older models by offering a wealth of original and reproduction parts, modern accessories and even factory restoration services. The PCCM is the latest addition to its modern accessories lineup and comes in two variants: PCCM, a single-DIN head unit, or PCCM Plus, a double-din unit for later models. (DIN is an industry standard measurement for stereo head units created by the Deutsches Institut fur Normung, hence the acronym. A single-DIN unit measures approximately 2 inches high by 7 inches wide, and a double-DIN doubles the height to 4 inches while retaining the same width.)
Both the PCCM and PCCM Plus offer touchscreen control on screens measuring 3.5 inches and 7 inches diagonally, respectively. Each unit also has two knobs and six buttons for physical controls.
“Media playback is also possible via an SD card, USB, [auxiliary cord] and Bluetooth,” according to Porsche.
The PCCM offers Apple CarPlay compatibility, while the PCCM Plus has both CarPlay and Android Auto. Unfortunately for owners of older Porsches, only the PCCM Plus is compatible with original amplifiers, speakers or antennae. Also worth noting: “U.S. product details for PCCM Plus are to be confirmed,” according to Porsche, so feature availability or functionality may change.
The PCCM “is suitable for the sports car generations between the first 911 models of the 1960s and the last 911 with air cooling from the start of the 1990s (993 model series). Use in earlier front- and mid-engine models is also possible.” That would make it suitable for:
- 1963-1998 911s
- 912
- 914
- 924
- 928
- 930
- 944
- 968
The PCCM Plus, meanwhile, is suitable for:
- 1999-2004 911s
- 1996-2004 Boxsters
Pricing for U.S. customers will be announced closer to this summer, when the PCCM will be available in America. In Europe the prices are 1,439.89 euros ($1,556) for the PCCM or 1,606.51 euros ($1,736) for the PCCM Plus. Both European prices include value-added tax, so expect U.S. prices to be somewhere in that range rather than direct conversions.
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