MY’2026 Configurator Changes - New Macan Options Added

[shawn]

the supply chain rarely delivers "more" than is requested/specified/qualified/tested…it's not being behind the curve - it's being specific and precise with what you put in the car - low cost component bidding rarely delivers more than requested…

and yeah - my experience with Porsche and other legacy car vendors is that they rarely have "more capability" than what they specify.

I'm not saying Prosche couldn't have provisioned Digital key level comfort-access hardware…I'm just saying based on past behaviors and likely outcomes they did not require/provision/specify Digital-Key level comfort-access hardware…and even if they did - they may not want to "qualify the previous model year vehicles" to have this capability…

I've worked with enough manufacturing people to know this stuff isn't as easy as it looks to the tech-savvy crowd…

I'll be first in line if Porsche offers a retro-fit - but I'm not holding my breath.

The only car company that I have ever heard of doing a (non recall) unplanned retrofit or software add is Tesla...but then they are a computer company...err...now a robotics company...er now an AI company and are In no way a car company even though that is what they sell, so they don't count. I made the mistake of thinking I could get Innodrive after the fact (as it was subscription-based on the Taycan at the time). Just as I got my car, they removed the subscription, and they told me to talk to the hand when I asked if I could somehow get it. When I mentioned OTA update, they said OT what? There is a reason why every software change requires us to go into the shop. That said, digital keys are obviously at the top of their list because it's the only distinctive software addition this year. I hope they offer it to others because I would pay for it, but I am not holding my breath.

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[daveo4EV]

yes they are leading the industry - that is not how VW/Audi/Porsche do things "yet"…and is not historically how anyone "does" things…

watch this video it will help explain things…

https://www.thedrive.com/news/ford-...-automakers-take-forever-to-issue-ota-updates

Porsche does not "own" 99% of the software embedded in their vehicle - they have no legal right to update the software - and if they want "new" capabilities that is a "new part #" with a new spec with "new firmware" that must be negotiated with the part's supplier…it is then up to the vendor to decide how they deliver the new part to meet the new spec - to meet the contract price…that may or may not be the same hardware they previously shipped - and they are delivering a "widget" - even if the "old" widget could do the job - the part supplier may not choose to go that route and may deliver an entirely new widget that meets all the requirements old+new…

manufacturing with a complex and embedded and legacy supply chain is super complex and doesn't work the way you'd think it does - this has been a constant in my experience and observations…

another "wrinkle" is that Porsche offers warranty on their products - in order to offer those warranties they squeeze their supply chain partners to "warranty" their "widgets" so that warranty issues Porsche encounters are passed back/down to the supply chain because they are making crappy things causing Porsche problems - these warranty contracts are normally very specific and detailed…

so the question is - will who ever provided the comfort-access hardware for MY'2024 and MY'2025 Macan's honor warranty claims when their hardware stops working with Digital Key - which was never part of the spec when they delivered the hardware widgets and negotiate the contract

this is just one example of the sorts of things that the supply chain has to work out if Porsche retrofits Digital Key to previous year models (unless Porsche decides to "eat the costs" should there be issues, but again that is a detail that will be considered before they offfer a retrofit)…

 

[Petzi]

I guess I've been too spoiled by RIvian, Tesla, and Volvo and their "we just added this handy feature. Enjoy!" practices.

Digital keys aren't some bizarre futuristic thing that is surprising Porsche. This tech was known by their engineers for years. Not including it on their new "bet the company" EV is a misstep.

tesla added something for free? ever?

 

[Wivenhoe]

BMW adopt a totally different approach to options being available for used cars. As a fairly high percentage of new cars in the UK are bought as company cars or lease cars, they tend to be more basis specs without options for say high beam control, seat heating etc. BMW deal with this by offering the second buyer an upgrade for the missing options by a one off payment or subscription. This applies even on the iX. I would upgrade the power steering which I believe is just a software change.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2023/04/04/bmw-shows-how-to-download-features-subscription/

Porsche used to offer a far more limited service but it isn’t available on the Macan - don’t know if this is due to the multiple supply chain issues described by Dave4EV, but they are definitely missing a potential income stream. More importantly, it would help dealers selling cars off the lot without options the buyer think are important.

 

[Powerdoc]

Leather seats back too for those who wish at $1,740 (USD).

Alreayd exist in the 2025 version

 

[Petzi]

I don't understand many of the discussions here. I think that the many additional options that you can configure are a great service from Porsche to its customers. I really enjoy being able to configure and change the vehicle over a period of months. In addition, this system offers the opportunity to buy a Porsche that is actually relatively inexpensive without extras. This complex system also costs a lot of money. The logistics behind it are certainly a nightmare.
But Porsche has never offered one thing: That you can retrofit new features and capabilities to the old models. My 911 50ties Edition had a PCM but no CarPlay at all. Asking for anything was useless. But I sold this car after 40 thousand kilometres with a profit of 30,000. Both my Cayenne S and then the Macan Turbo served me for years without any problems. Both more than 150 thousand kilometres. After that, I sold them well. That's Porsche: not the newest gimmicks but great quality (of the car, not always of the software). if you want a (sports)car that runs for years (the warranty is extendable up to 10 years) porsche is your car.

 

[GT001]

Any ideas what is that addition on the steering wheel?

 

[CHP]

Any ideas what is that addition on the steering wheel?

Well spotted. Not sure, curious as well. Below from an other perspective. EU not updated yet, still 2025.

 

[Saj71]

Perhaps it’s some kind of eye-tracking module that BMW also has (unless that’s in the dashboard already)?

 

[daveo4EV]

Any ideas what is that addition on the steering wheel?

driver awareness tracking - I believe it's new regulations from the EU nanny state…

I believe this will not be present in regions where it is not a requirement - but YMMV

 

[Station]

tesla added something for free? ever?

Really? It's the biggest thing Tesla are known for. I drive a Macan GTS but we also have a '25 Model 3 Highland in the garage. I've owned a 2014 and 2017 Tesla Model S. New features flow like water.

People can love them or hate them, but they add things in every software update monthly. AI was added earlier this month. Matrix headlights enabled 60 days ago. Pedestrian/cyclist oncoming detection in the spring.

Rivian to some degree has features with OTA's as well.

...but they are fleet and not stuck in the mud of legacy manufacturing techniques. Tesla have MANY, MANY faults (I had a Tesla bought back with a NDA from Tesla), but they are streamline when it comes to their software.

 

[krissrock]

i'd rather have the eye tracking than reminder to put my hands back on the wheel every 5 seconds...at least the car would be able to see if i'm paying attention

 

[daveo4EV]

tesla added something for free? ever?

lots and lots of improvements via OTA updates with no charge…their software is continuously improving and adds useful features…

just one example:

shortly after I purchased my 2018 Model 3 Performance - they added "blind spot video feed" on the main screen when the blinker was turned on - this feature did not exist when I drove the car off the lot, and a few weeks later it got added for no additional charge - same with "dash cam features" - when car was purchased there was no dash cam capabilities - after I got an OTA update I then had dash cam capabilities from the suite of built in camera's

Tesla continuously and aggressively improves their product(s) and routinely deploys new features/capabilities and updates via frequent and effective OTA mechanisms…

I love Porsche and have my issues with Tesla - but software updates and continuously improvement they _ARE_ the industry leader!

 

[PrudentOcean]

i'd rather have the eye tracking than reminder to put my hands back on the wheel every 5 seconds...at least the car would be able to see if i'm paying attention

Yes. The current implementation of InnoDrive allows you to look out the side window and be completely unaware of what's going in front of the car, as long as you keep your hands on the steering wheel. If they used eye tracking you could have your hands on your lap as long as you watch the road -- that would be far more relaxing.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

I am going wink right at at the new eye tracking camera so it really knows I am paying attention.

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