Porsche is set to bring GaN technology to high-end automotive audio, developing what it says will be the world’s first production-ready premium car audio system using GaN-based semiconductor technology. The new power-conversion technology will be incorporated into the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System and is planned for production in a Porsche vehicle from 2027.
Developed in partnership with the University of Stuttgart, the project focuses on making audio electronics more compact, lightweight and energy efficient. A GaN power semiconductor will manage the voltage conversion needed to operate the system’s 400W subwoofer amplifier.
Unlike traditional silicon semiconductors, GaN devices can switch at higher frequencies with lower energy losses. This produces less heat during power conversion, improving overall efficiency and reducing the need for extensive cooling hardware.
For Porsche, this means the audio system can use a smaller and lighter cooling setup without sacrificing performance. The heat sink is expected to be around 20% lighter, while reduced heat generation allows other components, such as capacitors and inductors, to be made smaller. Together, these changes help create a more compact amplifier while maintaining the required 400W output.
The technology could also reduce the environmental impact of manufacturing. Because the lighter cooling system requires less aluminum, Porsche expects the GaN-based design to reduce material use and the associated CO₂ emissions.
Porsche began investigating GaN for automotive applications in 2023. From spring 2024, engineers specializing in audio, semiconductors and sustainability collaborated with researchers from the University of Stuttgart’s Institute for Robust Power Semiconductor Systems to create a prototype GaN-powered subwoofer amplifier.
This marks Porsche’s first automotive use of gallium nitride, taking the technology beyond its established roles in products such as compact power supplies and space equipment. Using GaN in vehicles requires the technology to meet demanding standards for reliability, thermal performance and operation in harsh conditions.
Porsche has also submitted several patent applications covering innovations developed through the project. The technology is expected to reach production in 2027, highlighting the potential of wide-bandgap semiconductors to improve not only vehicle power systems but also high-performance features such as premium automotive audio.
