New Cayenne With New Porsche Driver Experience To Debut At Auto Shanghai
The new Porsche Cayenne will make its debut at the Auto Shanghai show in China on 18 April 2023. And with the new Cayenne comes a groundbreaking concept from the sportscar maker i.e. the Porsche Driver Experience featuring a fully digital display, versatile individualisation and intuitive operation.
The Cayenne is the sportiest model in its segment – and its interior reflects this as well. A sporty ambience is combined with dynamic functionality, luxurious comfort and typical Cayenne design features. The new control concept in the new Cayenne is a clean design that emphasises width. The entire instrument panel, centre console and upper part of the inside of the door have been completely redesigned. The increased horizontal emphasis of the dashboard makes the interior look even wider.
The focus of this new experience is on the driver’s axle with the most important controls grouped around the steering wheel. This is supposed to create a new and even more intensive driving experience. The new Cayenne’s cockpit takes elements from the Taycan electric sports car such as the curved digital instrument cluster, the gear selector, and the latest-generation steering wheel. The relocation of the gear selector allows for a redesign of the centre console with room for a large air conditioning controller in a sophisticated black panel design.
The instrument cluster is now a fully digital, free-standing 12.6″ curved display that does not require a hood cover, thus giving it a modern, slimline appearance. Depending on the equipment level, the driver can choose from up to 7 views on the instrument cluster. The rev counter, online navigation, Night Vision Assist or 3D driving assistance system can all be selected to be in the foreground. A greatly reduced view and a classic mode are also available, the latter of which transfers the typical Porsche 5-tube instrument cluster design into the digital age.
A key feature of the new Porsche Driver Experience is the balance between digital and analogue elements. All the controls that are important to the driving experience are grouped directly around the steering wheel. Typically for a Porsche, the new engine start button is to the left of the steering wheel. The gear selector is now to the right of the steering wheel between the instrument cluster and the central display (left-hand drive layout). 
Additionally, the new multi-function sports steering wheel comes from the 911 and has been completely reworked compared to the previous model, with a high-quality, modern and sporty design. The driving mode switch for selecting Normal, Offroad, Sport and Sport Plus modes directly on the steering wheel is now standard. Also, the new toggle button for selecting functions and designs in the instrument cluster is located directly on the steering wheel, as are the controls for the optional head-up display. Porsche has also put the completely redesigned control lever for the driver assistance systems directly on the steering wheel in the new Cayenne.
With extra room in the centre console, a new, large air conditioning control panel with analogue controls and more storage space can be placed there. The new air conditioning control panel on the centre console with its glass surface in a black panel design ensures a particularly high-quality look. Air conditioning settings can be made quickly and intuitively on the clearly laid out control surface. The combination of touch recognition and haptic feedback with mechanical air conditioning switches as well as a physical volume controller ensures functionality that is both haptically and aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, the elegantly designed air vents are vertically aligned in typical Cayenne fashion and for the first time, Porsche has designed all the air outlets in the cockpit without louvres.
Meanwhile, the high-resolution 12.3″ central display is the control centre of Porsche Communication Management (PCM). As before, the driver can operate numerous driving and comfort functions here, as well as the standard online navigation and multimedia functions. The passenger will also have a new experience with a new level of interaction via the optional passenger display. This 10.9″ display for the passenger is a new option that allows the front passenger to take the strain off the driver, for example by operating the navigation or selecting a media service. Special foil ensures that the display cannot be seen from the driver’s seat. This means videos can be streamed on the passenger display without distracting the driver.
With the new In-Car Video function, videos can be watched directly in the PCM via the streaming provider Screenhits TV – both in the central display when the vehicle is stationary and on the passenger display while driving.
Porsche has also further improved connectivity in the new Cayenne. A cooled smartphone storage area with an inductive charging function comes as standard. The cooling allows an optimised charging power of up to 15 watts. Extended integration of online services provides new ways of interaction, such as using the Siri voice assistant to operate vehicle functions. Also new are 2 USB-C ports in the front storage compartment and another 2 USB-C ports in the rear area of the centre console. All USB ports provide a fast charging function. The front ones also connect the smartphone to Porsche Communication Management (PCM). To pair a smartphone with the vehicle, all you have to do is scan the QR code displayed in the PCM on it. Numerous connectivity functions are then available, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as integrated apps such as Spotify and Apple Music.
