The Button That Makes This Porsche Option Totally Worth It
German automaker Porsche knows a thing or two about making fast cars. Established in 1948 by Ferdinand Porsche, the brand is renowned for its forward-thinking technological innovations to make every Porsche feel distinctive on the road. It doesn't matter if you want a sports car like the 718 Boxster/Cayman, the iconic 911, or even an SUV like the Macan or Cayenne, the Porsche badge is a sign of German engineering is at its finest.
One such technology is Porsche Stability Management (PSM), a collective system that allows Porsche drivers to have more driving fun without penalizing safety. PSM governs the anti-lock brakes (ABS), the anti-slip regulation system, engine drag torque control, and the automatic brake differential. According to Porsche, PSM also pre-charges the brakes to ensure the "brake system is optimally prepared for imminent braking," significantly reducing the stopping distance in panic braking situations.
But if you really want to have a blast in your Porsche, select the Sport Chrono Package to unleash more go-fast features like a tire temperature display, launch control, and a little button at the center of a mode switch on the lower right of the steering wheel.
PSM Sport Mode: A 20-second slice of motoring heaven
Porsche's Sport Chrono Package is standard or optional across the German automaker's lineup. Without the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche vehicles still have PSM with Normal and Sport driving modes that you can activate using a Sport button on the dashboard. But with the Sport Chrono Package, the Sport button is on the steering wheel, resting on top of a mode selector switch to cycle across multiple drive modes like Wet, Normal, Sport, or Sport Plus.
Moreover, PSM Sport Mode features what Porsche calls a Sport Response button. Pressing this button engages the engine and transmission to shift into its full attack mode, providing the driver with a 20-second surge of pulling power. Of course, this means effortless overtaking or faster lap times, but that small button is your gateway to making the most of your Porsche's propensity for maximum velocity.
The Sport Chrono Package includes active driveline mounts (that stiffen in Sport and relax in Normal mode), launch control (exclusively available on Porsche vehicles with the PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission), and the Porsche Track Precision app. The latter could record, display, and analyze your lap times and other track-related data on a smartphone.
The Porsche Sport Chrono Package starts at about $1,400 on the Macan and is a $3,400 option on the Porsche 911. Porsche is known for its expensive array of optional equipment and features, but the Sport Chrono Package and its boost-unleashing Sport Response button are too good to ignore.