TRACK AND TRACE
Taking advantage of GCAP Performance’s experience installing advanced vehicle security systems, Gary Conway treats his 957 Cayenne Turbo to a state-of-the-art tracker and flips his lid...
Something that has always bugged me about my Cayenne Turbo is its electrically assisted tailgate mechanism. This can be activated by pressing a button on the Porsche’s key fob or by pressing the tailgate opening button located on the driver’s door card. The thing that always annoyed me was the fact the only way to automatically close the tailgate was to press a button on the panel itself.
A solution to my complaint presented itself as in the form of a control module manufactured by German electronics company, Kufatec, allowing the tailgate to close remotely after I press the key fob button twice. This is an excellent upgrade. After all, a Cayenne is a superior load lugger — the last thing you want is to be juggling several bags of luggage or shopping and have to reach skyward to press a button.
GCAP Performance’s sister company,
Air & Sound (located in the same spot in the heart of London’s Notting Hill), specialises in the installation of car audio and security components, as well as dealing with modifications and upgrades to automotive electrical systems. Company boss, Gerry Conway, worked his magic on my Cayenne’s Kufatec module to further stretch its capabilities. Now, I can close the tailgate from the driver’s seat simply by pressing the previously mentioned button on the door card twice. Don’t hesitate to get in contact if you’d like the same functionality adding to your own Cayenne, Turbo or otherwise.
The Kufatec module is tucked away in the rear luggage area. It taps into the OEM Porsche wiring harness, with additional wiring created by Gerry and fed to the front of the vehicle in order for the button in the door card to operate as described. A fantastic fix for my (admittedly, first-world) problem.
Meta Trak is a name associated with leading-edge vehicle tracking and immobilising solutions. GCAP Performance is one of the UK’S biggest dealers of Meta Trak products. Needless to say, it’s important I practice what I preach when it comes to vehicle security, especially when penning articles for 911 & Porsche World, a magazine whose editor, Dan Furr, has a Meta Trak S5 Deadlock system fitted to his recently restored 944 Turbo!
I decided to equip my Cayenne Turbo with a Meta Trak S7 system. The different between Dan’s S5 and my S7 kit it is simply that the S5 features ID tags (key fob transponders which let the host vehicle know it’s safe to pull away without alerting Meta Trak headquarters the car is moving without its owner present) and the S7 doesn’t. Ordinarily, your insurance company will tell you which system they prefer you to fit.
As hinted at just now, the tracking system is monitored 24/7 by a remote call centre. If the tracker detects low
battery voltage, battery disconnect, movement with no ignition, sudden movement from idle or a range of other suspect conditions, an operative at the call centre is alerted and instructed to contact the Meta Trak account holder for a status update.
Unlike more basic (and, it must be said, many more expensive) tracking systems, Meta Trak products feature a neat smartphone app giving the end user complete control over the equipment fitted to their car. For example, I can see the location of my Cayenne at all times, no matter where in the world I might be. I can also force position requests, enable a ‘maintenance’ mode (essentially a way of allowing you to work on the car, potentially triggering alert conditions, without the call centre being notified something is amiss — a change of battery, for example), trace recent journeys, look at general vehicle/driver behaviour (speeds, braking force, quality of car control) and set alerts. You can also access the same information via laptop, tablet or desktop, but most users enjoy the convenience of the app.
I firmly believe a sophisticated, insurer approved, self-monitored vehicle tracking system shouldn’t cost the earth. With an extensive range of service options, I’m sure there is a Meta Trak solution to suit every 911 & Porsche World reader’s budget. With car theft on the rise, now is the perfect time to protect your Porsche and sleep easy knowing it’s being closely monitored at all times. Give GCAP Performance a call to discuss in further detail or to book an installation.