Porsche to Expand Apple’s CarPlay Support to Its Swanky 2017 Panamera Sedan

On the off chance you just so happen to have an extra $100,000, $150,000 or so just casually collecting dust in your piggy bank, perhaps you’d be interested in throwing it down on one of Porsche’s all-new 2017 Panamera 4-door sedans?

The European luxury automaker announced earlier this week that it will be releasing the 2017 installment of its popular (and only) 4-door sedan, the Panamera; and, what’s more, the equally powerful and good-looking sedan will boast support for Apple’s renowned CarPlay technology when it launches by January of next year.

The Panamera — which joins the high-end German auto-maker’s 2016 911 coupe and cabriolet, as well as the 2017 Macan, 718 Boxster, and 718 Cayman — is merely the latest in Porsche’s limited line of premium automobiles to feature Apple’s CarPlay technology.

Interestingly enough, though: controlling CarPlay on your 2017 Panamera will be akin to something out of a Star Trek film. Not only will the main control unit feature Porsche’s proprietary voice control for managing most elements of your Panamera sedan, but it will also feature Porsche’s all-new ‘Advanced Cockpit’ — which replaces many of the former buttons and knobs and instruments, with a consortium of touch-sensitive screens. For the 2017 Panamera, according to Porsche, this will include two 7-inch touch screen displays positioned directly within the driver’s line of sight.

As if that wasn’t enough, Porsche’s family-friendly 4-door will also feature the automaker’s all-new ‘Communications Management System’ — by which CarPlay, among other things, will be controlled. This impressive system will supposedly boast an additional 12.3-inch multi-touch display positioned smack dab in the center of the vehicle’s front dashboard.

You’ll also be able to control pretty much every Porsche-related aspect from this Advanced Communications Management panel, including the voice control feature, cabin temperature, and more.

Interestingly enough, Porsche didn’t mention anything about the Panamera’s support (or lack thereof) for Android’s CarPlay competitor, Android Auto — which is typically supported on any vehicle that also supports CarPlay.

In any case, you might be wondering how much this snazzy new, futuristic wonderland-within-a-car will cost you? Well, for the elite among us — or even just those with a really good-paying job, and an insatiable craving for the finer things in life, Porsche’s base-model 2017 Panamera 4S sedan will start at about $99,900 — prior to any upgrades or fees; while the creme de la creme, top-of-the-line Panamera Turbo will set you back a cool $146,900 or more.

Will you be picking up a Porsche Panamera when it’s released next January? Or, like the rest of us, will you merely be admiring its beauty and poise from the showroom window?