Russian Porsches immobilized by satellite

Porsche talk that defies categories!
RDMcG
Posts: 650
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 12:19 pm
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 425 times
[media]https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... eared.html[/media]

Have to wonder how vulnerable connected cars are becoming..........

#1

User avatar
Stormy_Monday
Posts: 707
Joined: Sat Mar 18, 2023 11:37 am
Location: Space Coast
Has thanked: 348 times
Been thanked: 456 times
if you do a search for connected cars being bricked, you'll find it is pretty common with the newer software defined cars.
Red Cars Rule

2022 718 Boxster GTS 4.0
2025 Cayenne e-Hybrid
2015 Ferrari California T

#2

User avatar
johnb
Posts: 314
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2021 5:57 am
Has thanked: 108 times
Been thanked: 76 times
The nationwide meltdown hit Porsche models built since 2013, which are all fitted with the brand's factory VTS satellite-security unit.
I don't think that's true for the US market is it?

#3

RDMcG
Posts: 650
Joined: Tue Aug 22, 2023 12:19 pm
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 425 times
johnb wrote: Tue Dec 02, 2025 4:58 pm
The nationwide meltdown hit Porsche models built since 2013, which are all fitted with the brand's factory VTS satellite-security unit.
I don't think that's true for the US market is it?
Good question. Of course they are all satellite equipped for the nav system and upgrades, but not sure of the specific technology.

#4

User avatar
Tom
Site Admin
Posts: 8553
Joined: Fri Jun 25, 2021 2:04 pm
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Has thanked: 890 times
Been thanked: 3830 times
Contact:
US cars (and presumably Canada) do have a version of the VTS system.

https://www.porscheannarbor.com/porsche ... vts-guide/

It's not clear to me how similar our system is to the one in Russia, but we're all living in the Matrix with connected cars so the risk of Skynet malfunctioning or being hacked is non-zero (to mix movie metaphors).

While there is talk of the system being hacked in Russia (with no evidence thereof), there's a good chance their satellite infrastructure has been poorly maintained or even compromised by the war. Also worth noting that Porsche pulled out of Russia after the Ukraine invasion, so also possible its absence in Russia played a role. All stories say they are investigating, but you have to wonder if the world will ever get a clear propaganda-free explanation.

Also interesting...

https://therecord.media/us-issues-rule- ... n-car-tech

#5

User avatar
Arne2
Posts: 412
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2022 5:47 pm
Location: Western Oregon
Has thanked: 10 times
Been thanked: 218 times
There was some concern that VTS was bricking some cars in the USA when 3G cellular was shut down. I don't recall if that was ever confirmed.

I wonder if the Russian Porsches are being remote-bricked by Ukrainian hackers...
- Arne

Current Porsche - 2018 718 Cayman 2.0 litre
Past Porsches:
  • 1972 911T coupe, silver
  • 1984 911 Carrera 3.2 coupe, Chiffon White
  • 1973 914 2.0, Saturn Yellow
  • 1984 944, silver

#6

User avatar
Bill in Bama
Posts: 514
Joined: Tue Aug 31, 2021 7:09 am
Location: Fort Payne, AL
Has thanked: 16 times
Been thanked: 152 times
Arne2 wrote: Wed Dec 03, 2025 1:55 pm There was some concern that VTS was bricking some cars in the USA when 3G cellular was shut down. I don't recall if that was ever confirmed.

I wonder if the Russian Porsches are being remote-bricked by Ukrainian hackers...
Wouldn't put it past them, those Ukrainians are proving to be some of the most able at thinking outside the box and creating all sorts of headaches for Putin. All completely deserved imo.

On the main subject, ever since Elin started selling cars there has been the possibility of hackers doing mischief, and it's bled over to all cars now (maybe not all Hyundai) which seems to be a ticking time bomb.
'21 718 GTS 4.0, AGM/Espresso/ Cognac
'17 Cayenne base, White/Luxor/Black
'16 Cayman GTS, great car, sold for the 4.0
'13 Cayenne base, DBM/Luxor beige
'06 Cayman S, first mid-engine car
'86 944 Turbo, fast! Stone grey
'84 944, my first Porsche DBM

#7

Post Reply