News

A Smarter Cabin for Porsche’s Future Classics

Porsche is giving owners of its modern classics a compelling reason to upgrade their in-car technology. The new-generation Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus (PCCM Plus) brings modern infotainment, navigation and connectivity features to more than 300,000 Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster models built between 2009 and 2016.

Designed specifically for Porsche’s future classics, the latest PCCM Plus combines contemporary digital technology with a factory-style appearance that integrates seamlessly into the interiors of older sports cars. The system is available through Porsche Centres worldwide in two model-specific versions covering the 997.2, 987.2, 981 and 991.1 generations.

Porsche PCCM Plus Brings Modern Technology to Older Sports Cars

The Porsche PCCM Plus has become one of the most popular factory retrofit solutions for owners who want modern infotainment without compromising the original character of their cars.

The latest generation takes that concept considerably further. Rather than simply adding a new touchscreen, Porsche has developed the system to integrate more deeply with the vehicle’s existing architecture and controls.

The system features a seven-inch high-resolution touchscreen, while vehicles equipped with a multifunction steering wheel can also operate key infotainment functions through the existing steering-wheel controls.

Porsche has also retained support for vehicle-specific settings and information. Depending on the model and equipment, navigation instructions and music information can be displayed directly within the instrument cluster.

That level of integration is important for owners of collectible Porsche models, where aftermarket modifications can sometimes look out of place. The PCCM Plus is designed to appear as though it belongs in the car from the factory.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto With Wireless Connectivity

One of the biggest upgrades is the integration of modern smartphone connectivity.

The new Porsche PCCM Plus supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connections available through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. This allows owners to access compatible navigation, music, communication and other smartphone applications without relying on a conventional wired connection.

The system also supports Bluetooth audio streaming, including metadata such as song titles and artist information.

Depending on local regulations, YouTube video playback is also available when the vehicle is stationary.

Porsche has even added a visual customization feature that allows the virtual vehicle shown on the infotainment display to be configured in a Porsche exterior color. It is a small detail, but one that reinforces the connection between the digital interface and the physical car.

Navigation Gets More Sophisticated

Navigation is another area where the new PCCM Plus moves significantly beyond the technology originally available in these Porsche models.

The system can display speed-limit information based on map data and supports satellite imagery. Map updates can also be installed over the air, reducing the need for traditional manual update procedures.

For drivers who bought their Porsche for the experience rather than simply getting from A to B, Porsche has included its Scenic Roads navigation function. The system can select particularly winding and panoramic routes, potentially turning an ordinary journey into a more engaging drive.

The new infotainment system also provides access to vehicle information such as oil temperature and oil pressure through the trip display.

Visual Parking Assistance for Cayman and Boxster

The PCCM Plus also adds useful functionality to the Porsche Cayman and Boxster.

Models equipped with the existing acoustic parking aid can gain a visual representation of the distance to obstacles on the infotainment screen. This supplements the audible warnings with a more intuitive graphical display.

For owners of older sports cars that were developed before today’s extensive parking-assistance systems became commonplace, it is a meaningful convenience upgrade.

Modern Audio and Connectivity Features

Porsche has equipped the new PCCM Plus with a broad range of audio and connectivity technologies.

Depending on the market, the system supports DAB, HD radio, FM and AM through dual tuners. Existing vehicle sound systems can also be connected, helping owners retain the audio hardware already installed in their Porsche.

The system includes internal and external microphones, Bluetooth streaming and interfaces for external media sources.

A nano-SIM card slot with 4G connectivity further expands the system’s online capabilities, although the availability of individual connected services depends on the market and vehicle configuration.

Two Versions Cover the 987.2, 997.2, 981 and 991.1

Porsche is offering the new PCCM Plus in two model-specific configurations.

The first version is designed for the 911, Cayman and Boxster from model years 2012 to 2016, covering the 991.1 and 981 generations.

The second version is intended for model years 2009 to 2013, covering the 997.2 and 987.2 generations.

In total, Porsche says the new system is suitable for more than 300,000 vehicles that are increasingly being viewed as future classics.

The availability of individual functions varies according to the vehicle model, specification and market. Some services also require an active internet connection.

Porsche PCCM Plus: Key Facts

  • System: New-generation Porsche Classic Communication Management Plus
  • Compatible models: Porsche 911, Cayman and Boxster
  • Generations: 997.2, 987.2, 981 and 991.1
  • Model years: 2009–2016, depending on version
  • Display: Seven-inch high-resolution touchscreen
  • Smartphone integration: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Wireless connectivity: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
  • Navigation: Map-based speed limits, satellite imagery and Scenic Roads
  • Map updates: Over the air
  • Audio: DAB, HD, FM and AM dual tuners, plus Bluetooth streaming
  • Connectivity: 4G nano-SIM support
  • Vehicle information: Oil temperature and oil pressure
  • Parking assistance: Visual obstacle-distance display on compatible Cayman and Boxster models
  • Availability: Porsche Centres worldwide
  • Installation: Porsche recommends installation at a Porsche Centre

Source: Porsche

News

Leapmotor Delivers Record 310,052 Vehicles in Q3 2026 as Global Growth Accelerates

Leapmotor has continued its remarkable expansion in the global new energy vehicle market, delivering 105,656 vehicles worldwide in September 2026 and setting a new quarterly record of 310,052 units in the third quarter.

The Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer increased September deliveries by 2.45 percent compared with August and by 59 percent year over year, marking the third consecutive month in which Leapmotor has exceeded the 100,000-unit monthly sales milestone.

The latest figures underline the speed of Leapmotor’s international expansion and reinforce the company’s rapidly growing presence in the global electric vehicle market.

Leapmotor Exceeds 100,000 Deliveries for Third Consecutive Month

Leapmotor delivered 105,656 vehicles globally in September 2026, up from the previous month and significantly ahead of the same period last year.

The September result represents a 59 percent year-over-year increase and marks the third consecutive month with more than 100,000 vehicles delivered.

That consistency is particularly significant for a manufacturer that has expanded from its Chinese home market into an increasingly broad international footprint. Rather than relying on a single exceptionally strong month, Leapmotor has now demonstrated sustained monthly volumes above the 100,000-unit threshold.

The company entered the third quarter with strong momentum and maintained that pace through September, producing a record-breaking quarterly performance.

Record 310,052 Vehicles Delivered in Q3

Leapmotor delivered 310,052 vehicles worldwide during the third quarter of 2026.

That represents a 78.34 percent increase compared with the third quarter of 2025 and a 25.87 percent improvement over the second quarter of 2026.

The result establishes a new quarterly delivery record for the company and highlights the accelerating scale of Leapmotor’s operations.

According to the company, the performance further strengthens its position among China’s leading new energy vehicle manufacturers and places Leapmotor among the top three Chinese NEV brands and the top four global NEV manufacturers.

The numbers also illustrate how quickly the competitive landscape is changing as Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers expand beyond their domestic market.

Leapmotor B01 and B10 Reach 300,000-Unit Production Milestone

Leapmotor’s growth is not limited to overall company deliveries. Its B01 and B10 model families have also reached an important production milestone.

Combined cumulative production of the Leapmotor B01 and B10 has exceeded 300,000 units in just 18 months.

Leapmotor says the achievement represents company records for both the fastest production of 300,000 vehicles and the fastest accumulation of 60,000 overseas exports for any model family in its history.

The figures demonstrate the importance of the B-series models to Leapmotor’s global expansion strategy.

The B01 has maintained strong demand since its introduction, while the B10 has emerged as a key vehicle for the company’s international growth.

Leapmotor B10 Expands Into More Than 40 Countries

The Leapmotor B10 is becoming increasingly important outside China, with the electric SUV now available in more than 40 countries and regions.

Europe has emerged as one of its strongest international markets. During the first half of 2026, the B10 ranked as the best-selling Chinese compact battery-electric SUV in Europe.

That achievement places the B10 directly into one of the most competitive segments of the European electric vehicle market, where manufacturers are competing for buyers seeking a combination of range, technology, practicality and value.

Leapmotor’s expanding international distribution network also provides the company with an increasingly broad platform from which to introduce future electric and electrified models.

Leapmotor Technology Day Introduces LEAP 5.0

Alongside its sales and production expansion, Leapmotor is continuing to invest heavily in vehicle technology.

At its 2026 Leapmotor Technology Day, the company unveiled its next generation of technologies, including the LEAP 5.0 architecture and new integrated battery technologies.

The company says its technology strategy is supported by 11 years of full-stack in-house research and development.

Leapmotor also presented several technologies aimed at the next stage of intelligent mobility, including embodied intelligence, high-definition imaging systems and panoramic head-up displays.

The company is positioning these developments as part of a broader transition toward increasingly software-defined, connected and intelligent vehicles.

Leapmotor’s Global Expansion Enters a New Phase

Leapmotor’s September and third-quarter results show a company operating at a significantly larger scale than just a year ago.

More than 105,000 vehicles delivered in a single month, combined with a quarterly total above 310,000 units, represents a substantial increase in production and sales volume. At the same time, the rapid production and export growth of the B01 and B10 demonstrates that Leapmotor is increasingly building its business around models designed to compete internationally.

The company’s technology investments add another dimension to that expansion. With LEAP 5.0, integrated battery systems and new intelligent vehicle technologies entering the spotlight, Leapmotor is attempting to combine high-volume production with an increasingly sophisticated technology platform.

For the global electric vehicle industry, the September 2026 figures provide another indication of the growing scale of China’s NEV manufacturers and the increasing competition they are bringing to markets around the world.

If Leapmotor can maintain the momentum demonstrated during the third quarter, its next stage of growth will increasingly depend on how successfully it converts its rapidly expanding production capacity and international presence into sustained demand across Europe and other overseas markets.

Source: Leapmotor

NEW CARS

Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé Is “TOO HARD TO RESIST”

Mercedes-AMG is putting performance firmly in the spotlight with the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupé, and this time the stage is Hollywood. Starting in October 2026, the high-performance electric four-door will headline Mercedes-AMG’s new global brand campaign, “TOO HARD TO RESIST”, alongside Hollywood star Brad Pitt.

Following the world premiere of the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé in Los Angeles in May, the campaign brings together two very different expressions of performance: the controlled precision of a Hollywood production and the spontaneous, emotional experience of driving an AMG.

Brad Pitt, whose career has combined ambition, precision and performance, becomes the ideal on-screen partner for Mercedes-AMG as the brand introduces its latest performance flagship to a global audience.

When the Car Becomes the Star

Set in Los Angeles, the “TOO HARD TO RESIST” campaign begins like a classic Hollywood production. Cameras are rolling, the crew is in position and every scene is carefully choreographed.

But the arrival of the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé changes the script.

Rather than simply serving as another prop on a film set, the AMG becomes the central character. The carefully controlled production gives way to a dynamic environment built around driving emotion, performance and the instinctive desire to get behind the wheel.

That idea is captured by the campaign’s tagline: “TOO HARD TO RESIST”.

The message is intended to describe more than the advertising campaign. Mercedes-AMG is using it to define the character of the new GT 4-Door Coupé itself, combining dramatic design with electric performance, agility and a strong emphasis on the emotional side of driving.

Brad Pitt and Mercedes-AMG: Performance Meets Hollywood

Brad Pitt’s involvement gives the campaign a distinctly cinematic character, but Mercedes-AMG says the partnership is based on shared values including ambition and performance.

The Hollywood actor joins the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupé at a significant moment for Mercedes-AMG as the brand expands its high-performance electric technology.

The campaign also builds on Mercedes-AMG’s previous promotional activity surrounding the car. In 2025, the brand generated attention with a Las Vegas stunt involving an AMG GT 4-Door Coupé prototype. The new campaign moves the story from spectacular stunt work to a more personal interpretation of what makes an AMG exciting to drive.

The result is deliberately positioned somewhere between cinema and automotive performance: a film set that ultimately becomes a playground for the car.

Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé: Electric Performance With 1,169 HP

Behind the Hollywood imagery is a car that represents a major technological step for Mercedes-AMG.

The new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé is based on the company’s dedicated AMG Electric Architecture, known as AMG.EA. Rather than adapting an existing combustion-engine platform for electric propulsion, Mercedes-AMG has developed the architecture specifically around the requirements of high-performance electric vehicles.

At the centre of the technology are three axial-flux electric motors and directly cooled battery cells.

The system is capable of producing up to 860 kW, equivalent to 1,169 hp. Those figures put the new AMG GT 4-Door Coupé firmly into the territory traditionally occupied by the world’s most extreme performance cars.

The use of axial-flux motors is particularly significant. Compared with conventional radial-flux electric motors, axial-flux technology can offer a combination of high power density and compact dimensions, characteristics that are particularly valuable in a performance vehicle where weight, packaging and power delivery are critical.

Mercedes-AMG is also focusing heavily on battery cooling. Directly cooled battery cells are designed to help the high-voltage system maintain consistent performance under demanding conditions, an essential requirement for a car developed not simply for rapid acceleration, but for sustained high-performance driving.

Technology Proven by the AMG GT XX Concept

The new production AMG GT 4-Door Coupé’s performance technology has already been previewed by the Mercedes-AMG CONCEPT GT XX.

In 2025, the concept demonstrated the potential of the AMG.EA architecture during a spectacular record-setting drive at the Nardò test facility in Italy.

That demonstration was important because it showed Mercedes-AMG’s ambitions extend beyond headline acceleration figures. The company’s next-generation electric performance technology is being developed around high-speed capability, efficiency and the ability to sustain demanding driving conditions.

The production AMG GT 4-Door Coupé now brings that technological philosophy closer to the road.

A New Definition of AMG Performance

For decades, Mercedes-AMG has built its reputation around powerful combustion engines, rear-wheel drive dynamics and the unmistakable character of its high-performance cars. The AMG GT 4-Door Coupé represents a new chapter in that story.

Its AMG.EA architecture signals a fundamental change in the way Mercedes-AMG approaches performance. Electric propulsion allows engineers to rethink power delivery, packaging and vehicle dynamics, while the company’s focus remains firmly on creating an emotional driving experience.

That distinction is central to the “TOO HARD TO RESIST” campaign.

The message is not simply about how quickly the car can accelerate or how much power its electric motors can produce. Instead, Mercedes-AMG wants the new GT 4-Door Coupé to be perceived as a car that creates an instinctive desire to drive it.

In other words, the numbers are only part of the story.

From Hollywood Set to Driver’s Seat

The campaign was filmed alongside the world-premiere production in Los Angeles and was created by team x together with production house Tony Petersen Film. Simon McQuoid directed the project.

McQuoid’s experience in large-scale cinematic productions fits naturally with a campaign that deliberately blurs the boundaries between Hollywood filmmaking and automotive performance.

The central concept is simple: the script can be perfect, the cameras can be ready and every movement can be planned, but the arrival of a car with this level of performance can make the carefully constructed world of the film set difficult to resist.

The global Mercedes-AMG “TOO HARD TO RESIST” campaign launches in October 2026.

For Mercedes-AMG, it is also an opportunity to introduce a new generation of customers to a very different interpretation of the performance car.

The new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé combines the visual drama expected from an AMG flagship with an all-electric powertrain capable of producing up to 1,169 hp. With AMG.EA technology, three axial-flux motors and directly cooled battery cells, it represents one of the most important steps yet in the company’s transition toward electric performance.

And if Mercedes-AMG’s message is anything to go by, the hardest part may not be resisting the car’s performance.

It may be resisting the temptation to drive it.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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