- Porsche says its production-ready GaN audio system is a world first for the automotive industry.
- Semiconductor manages voltage conversion for a 400-watt subwoofer amplifier while reducing losses and heat.
- Series production is planned from 2027, although Porsche has not identified the first vehicle.
Porsche is preparing to put gallium nitride semiconductors into a production car, but the first application is not in the drivetrain. Instead, the technology will help power a Burmester high-end audio system.
Developed with the University of Stuttgart, the system uses a gallium nitride, or GaN, chip to handle voltage conversion for a 400-watt subwoofer amplifier. Porsche describes it as the world's first production-ready high-end automotive audio system to use the semiconductor technology.
What GaN changes
Most comparable power electronics rely on silicon semiconductors. Porsche says the GaN alternative reduces electrical losses and heat, allowing engineers to shrink some passive components and simplify cooling requirements.
The most visible result is the amplifier's heat sink, which is about 20% lighter than the equivalent component in a silicon-based design. Smaller supporting components also promise a more compact package — useful in a vehicle, where mass and installation space are closely managed.
That makes the project a tangible example of semiconductor development rather than a vague technology showcase. The chip has a specific job, serving the voltage demands of a powerful subwoofer amplifier while reducing the hardware needed to manage wasted energy.
The emphasis is on efficiency and packaging rather than a higher headline output. Porsche links the semiconductor directly to three practical outcomes: lower losses, less heat and reduced component size. The 400-watt amplifier therefore provides a clear production test for technology that could later serve other duties. It also gives the company a defined route from university collaboration to a component designed for a series-production vehicle.
Production planned from 2027
The idea began in mid-2023, with prototype work following in spring 2024. Porsche now plans to introduce the system in series production in a future vehicle from 2027.
The carmaker has not disclosed which model will receive it first, nor confirmed pricing, New Zealand timing or local availability. It is also considering other uses for GaN technology in vehicles and high-voltage applications, potentially taking the semiconductor beyond the cabin once the audio system reaches production.
