The Porsche Sport Chrono Package

When buying a Porsche, many people spend a lot of time wondering, “Which options should I choose?” My husband is often on the configurator, muttering things like, “This option is a must-have… But if I add everything, it’ll cost way too much. Maybe I should cut something…” (He even builds configurations for models he has no plans to buy.)

One option that leaves many buyers debating whether to add it is the Sport Chrono Package. As of January 2020, the Porsche Japan website listed it at ¥388,056 for a standard 911. (Prices varied by model: ¥313,705 for the Panamera and ¥182,315 for the Cayenne.)

The stopwatch in a 981 Boxster

On current models, the Sport Chrono Package actively enhances engine, chassis, and transmission performance, allowing for an even more engaging drive. Specifically, it adds three features to the car.

・Launch Control, which enables a racing start for the most efficient acceleration from a standstill (available only with PDK)
・A choice of four drive modes—Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual—to suit your driving style. A mode selector dial is added to the steering wheel.
・A Sport Response button, which provides maximum throttle response for around 20 seconds

While it doesn’t affect driving performance, the Sport Chrono Package also adds a stopwatch to the dashboard. I’ve heard that some people choose the package simply because they want that stopwatch.

The stopwatch in a 971 Panamera

When paired with the Porsche Connect navigation module, the system can also measure lap times, display driving data, and save and manage results. You can even share your data with other drivers and compare results. (Source: Porsche Japan, “Sport Chrono Package”)

By the way, the Sport Chrono Package can also be retrofitted. Our 970 Panamera Edition was purchased new without the package, so we had the dealer install it later. However, I was told that the stopwatch itself can’t be added as part of a retrofit.

What’s the Sport Chrono Package Like?

Every water-cooled Porsche in our household has the Sport Chrono Package. It came standard on our Boxster GTS (981) and 911 GT3 (991.2), while we added it as an option on our Panamera (971).

Whenever I drive on winding roads, I always switch to Sport or Sport mode. Changing modes noticeably firms up the suspension, and with PDK, you can enjoy sportier driving at higher revs. Even a big car like the Panamera becomes nimble through the corners, which is a lot of fun.

In the Boxster, Sport Plus mode activates auto-blip (I hear it takes Sport Plus or a higher setting to activate auto-blip in the 718). The Boxster’s “vrrrooom, vrrrooom” roar echoing with every downshift is so satisfying that I always use Sport Plus on winding roads and highways.

Before I knew much about Porsche, I thought, “It doesn’t really matter whether you get the Sport Chrono Package or not. It’s so expensive—maybe I can do without it.” Now, I’m glad my husband made sure we had it.

Thanks to the Sport Chrono Package, even an amateur driver like me can get more out of a Porsche’s performance and better appreciate just how capable these cars are.

I also kept the car in Sport Plus throughout a Porsche driving school program. There were plenty of moments that surprised me, like, “It can corner this well even while slaloming at such high speeds!”

My Husband’s Take on the Sport Chrono Package

My husband often says, “If you’re buying a Porsche, you have to get it. There’s no question of leaving it off!” So I asked him to explain why. Here’s what he said:

The Sport Plus button in a 981 Boxster GTS

It comes down to personal preference, but I don’t think of a Porsche as a “luxury car”—I think of it as a “high-performance car.” So if there’s a mode that lets you get 100% out of its performance, I don’t want to leave that capability locked away.

A high-performance car, huh? He went on:

It depends on the model, but there’s a big difference between Sport and Sport Plus. In the Boxster GTS, for example, Sport Plus makes it feel like the car’s dynamic performance has improved by about 10%. It feels like a waste not to experience that, so I definitely want the Sport Chrono Package.
Personally, I don’t really care whether it has the stopwatch or not.

When I said, “Our family puts a lot of emphasis on driving—we take mountain roads and track days, and cover long distances on the highway. I guess that’s why the Sport Chrono Package is a must for us,” he replied:

That’s right. But if you don’t drive fast, mostly stick to city streets, and think of your Porsche as a “luxury car,” it’s a feature you can easily do without.
Also, Porsche options don’t always add much to resale value, but the Sport Chrono Package can make a noticeable difference. In that sense, it’s one of the options where the actual cost to you is relatively low, even after paying for it upfront.

That was his take. I’d also like to ask him what he thinks about other options, such as PDCC and rear-axle steering, sometime down the road.