Porsche Cars Australia has confirmed a range of new tech features for the Macan Electric as part of a running model year change.
Due to hit local Porsche Centres “by the end of the year”, the model year 2026 (MY26) Macan adds several new tech items as standard or optional equipment – including a new digital key, in-car gaming, and an enhanced AI-powered voice assistant.
Additionally, maximum towing capacity increases by 500kg to 2.5 tonnes for all-wheel drive models. See below for more.
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Surround View parking with new optional features
The standard 360-degree camera system – called Surround View – with Active Parking Support has been bolstered with several new optional features claimed to offer “added convenience, especially in narrow or awkward spaces”.
First up is Transparent Bonnet, which uses the front and exterior mirror cameras to “provide a virtual view of the area in front of the vehicle via the central display”.
Porsche says this virtual view under the vehicle helps the driver “to see obstacles that are below their line of sight”, which is beneficial “especially on challenging terrain”.
Next is Trained Parking, which can learn parking routines after a one-time manual operation, and then can prompt the driver to take over the next time – though the “driver remains in control at all times”. Up to five different parking routines can be saved.
Finally, Reversing Assist remembers routes of up to 50 metres in length and can automatically do them in reverse, with the driver only required to monitor. Porsche says this feature is “ideal for narrow access roads or winding parking garages”.
Porsche Digital Key
The Comfort Access function will add Porsche Digital Key for MY26 with compatible iPhone, Apple Watch and Android devices – in conjunction with activation of Porsche Connect services.
A digital vehicle key is saved in Apple Wallet or a native wallet app on Android, allowing drivers to unlock or lock, and start their vehicle by having their compatible device on their person, or holding it near one of the vehicle’s Near Field Communication (NFC) readers.
Even if the smartphone needs to be charged, users can still use their digital key on their Apple or Android devices.
Further, owners can share car keys through Apple Mail, Messages, WhatsApp and more with up to seven other users. These can also be tailored to offering simple access or the ability to drive the vehicle with the shared Digital Key.
Additionally, owners can control luggage compartments with the Digital Key or via the My Porsche App.
In-car gaming added to App Centre
For MY26, the Porsche App Centre will offer third-party games from Gameloft and Obscure Interactive, turning the Macan Electric into a rolling console.
A “wide variety of family games and gaming classics” will be offered, including AirConsole titles that can be controlled via compatible smartphones – allowing occupants to play individually or together.
Other games will be playable via one of the vehicle’s touchscreens. The optional passenger display allows apps to be used simultaneously without distracting the driver, while compatibility with Bluetooth headsets allows for “an undisturbed listening experience”, too.
Voice Pilot powered by artificial intelligence
Finally, the Macan’s in-car voice control is now integrated with artificial intelligence (AI).
Porsche Voice Pilot utilises various language models in the background, like other AI assistants, to better understand “complex, interrelated questions” and can recognise what a statement refers to.
The upgraded Voice Pilot can also answer questions about vehicle use from the integrated onboard manual via voice prompt. No more digging through the infotainment system or a manual in the glovebox.
What else is new?
Beyond the new digital and assistance features, the MY26 Macan will offer more personalisation and individualisation options “for the door sill guards and LED door courtesy lights”.
The navigation-based Porsche Charging Planner has also been improved, allowing customers to now prioritise or exclude individual charging stations when planning their journey.
Finally, maximum braked towing capacity in the 2026 Porsche Macan has been increased to 2500 kilograms (2.5t) for dual-motor all-wheel drive variants, an increase of 500kg.
The updated Macan range “will be introduced by the end of the year”.