What is Porsche InnoDrive?

Porsche InnoDrive is a predictive adaptive cruise control and traffic jam assistance system that takes upcoming road design, traffic conditions, and topography into account and automatically adjusts vehicle behavior to produce the most efficient driving possible.

Given that Porsches are synonymous with performance, InnoDrive might seem antithetical to what this proud automaker represents. The image associated with this iconic brand does not always square with the reality. Perhaps you’ve noticed that most new Porsches you see on the road are now SUVs of the Cayenne and Macan varieties. And they’re frequently driven well within their prodigious limits. Often poorly.

InnoDrive is for those kinds of Porsche buyers. The people who buy a Porsche because it’s a Porsche and not because they want to turn every commute into a slalom run and every drive into a time trial. And let’s be honest. In the places where Porsches are popular, like Los Angeles, InnoDrive can help save one’s sanity.

Essentially, Innodrive is an adaptive cruise control system. The technology debuted in the redesigned second-generation Panamera and has since expanded to the redesigned Cayenne SUV and 911 sports car, as well as the Taycan electric vehicle. It works like other adaptive cruise control systems to maintain a safe distance from traffic ahead, but InnoDrive is more sophisticated than what you’re going to find in something like a Toyota Corolla.

For example, InnoDrive can look up to 1.8 miles ahead on your programmed navigation route and predict when it should accelerate, cruise, coast, and decelerate in order to optimize smoothness and efficiency. The technology takes into account speed limits, elevation changes, curves and corners, and more to determine the optimum powertrain calibration.

Obviously, if you’re using a Porsche’s adaptive cruise control system, you’re more interested in reaching your destination than you are in enjoying the journey. InnoDrive’s job is to make the trip as smooth and as seamless as is possible. But the technology can add a bit of a thrill if the driver pushes the Sport button. This automatically changes InnoDrive’s character to make the car feel and sound aligned with that mission.

Traffic Jam Assist is a part of InnoDrive. During the daily commute, it works at speeds up to 37 mph to maintain safe distances from traffic ahead, follow vehicles as is appropriate, and center the Porsche in the lane of travel. The goal? Stress reduction. So, turn on some Bob Marley and the Wailers and chill, brah. But you’ll still need to pay attention, so don’t whip out your smartphone to check your favorite social media feed.

InnoDrive is offered in the 2020 Porsche 911, Cayenne, Panamera, and Taycan models. Expect the technology to make its way into the 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, and Macan as the automaker redesigns these models in the future.

The information in this article is from Porsche and was accurate as of May 26, 2020. It may have changed since that date.

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