Key Points:
- Porsche’s first hybrid 911 will not feature the next-generation CarPlay despite deeper integration claims.
- The new hybrid model has a limited electric component, only powering an electric turbocharger and AC system.
- The next-gen CarPlay rollout remains uncertain with delays and potential retractions from initial partners like Mercedes.
Despite high expectations, the rollout of Apple’s next-gen CarPlay appears stalled. Porsche, originally touted as an early adopter, has confirmed that its first hybrid Porsche 911 will not include this advanced interface.
The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, priced at $164,000, will feature CarPlay “deeply integrated” into the vehicle. However, this integration will not encompass the comprehensive overhaul Apple announced at WWDC 2022, which promised to extend CarPlay’s interface to the entire infotainment system, including the instrument cluster.
Apple’s vision for next-gen CarPlay was ambitious, aiming to display essential driving data like speed, fuel levels, and temperature directly through CarPlay, alongside allowing control of in-car functions such as climate control and radio. Initially slated for late 2023 releases, these advancements have seen little progress. Even Mercedes, once listed as a future partner, appears to have backtracked on implementing this system.
Moreover, Porsche’s hybrid claim for the new 911 is somewhat overstated. The car features a modest 1.9kWh lithium-ion battery that powers an electric turbocharger and the AC system, rather than providing substantial electric propulsion.
The “all-digital cockpit” in the new 911 will mirror the setup in Porsche’s latest Cayenne, Panamera, and Macan models, offering CarPlay integration within the digital instrument cluster but not to the extent of controlling core functions like the odometer or HVAC system. Additionally, the vehicle will support Android Auto.
Thus, the automotive world continues to await the true next-gen CarPlay experience, with uncertainties looming large as General Motors considers eliminating CarPlay support.
