Porsche 2025 year in review
About this episode
Reflecting on 2025, the hosts of 9WERKS Radio share their highlights, including memorable road trips, events, and the impact of the Cayman R on the Porsche community. They discuss the camaraderie built through shared experiences, notable guests like Sir Chris Hoy, and the evolution of Porsche models. The episode emphasizes the joy of driving, the importance of community, and the excitement surrounding upcoming Porsche releases, including the anticipated return of combustion engines in the 718 lineup. A mix of nostalgia and forward-looking optimism makes this a compelling wrap-up of the year.
Andy and Lee are joined by Paul Pressland from the Driven Not Hidden Collective to review and reflect on their Porsche adventures in 2025. What’s been the biggest surprise? Which car has been crowned Porsche Of The Year? And what’s in store for 2026?!
Thanks for all your support in 2025.
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‘9WERKS Radio’ @9werks.radio is your dedicated Porsche and car podcast, taking you closer than ever to the world’s finest sports cars and the culture and history behind them.
The show is brought to you by 9werks.co.uk, the innovative online platform for Porsche enthusiasts. Hosted by Porsche Journalist Lee Sibley @9werks_lee, and 911 owner and engineer Andy Brookes @993andy, with special input from friends and experts around the industry, including you, our valued listeners.
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Porsche 356
"Get up to 10% off your basket for all manner of Porsche's, from 356 to 997, inclusive..."
The Porsche 356 is an old sports car made by the German company Porsche. It has a flat‑four engine at the back and is known for its classic look and racing history.
The Porsche 356 is the brand’s first production car, a lightweight sports coupe produced from 1948 to 1965. It features a rear‑engine, air‑cooled flat‑four and is celebrated for its classic design and racing heritage.
Bermester
"It's not your bermester crackling away. We can assure you everything's working fine."
Bermester makes fancy car speakers and sound systems that are used in expensive cars. They’re known for good quality audio.
Bermester is a German manufacturer of high‑end automotive audio equipment, known for premium speakers and subwoofers used in luxury cars.
center gravity
"...which is with center gravity. Chris and Peter joining us to take us through all things suspension."
Center gravity is the spot in a car where all its weight balances. A lower center makes the car feel more stable when turning.
Center of gravity refers to the point in a vehicle where its mass is evenly distributed. Lowering this point improves handling and reduces body roll during cornering.
suspension
"Chris and Peter joining us to take us through all things suspension."
Suspension is the part of a car that keeps the wheels on the road and makes the ride smooth. It includes springs and shock absorbers.
Suspension is the system of springs, shock absorbers, and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. It manages road contact, ride comfort, and handling performance.
Porsche Cayman
"We celebrated 20 years of Cayman. With a lovely Sunday morning drive through Dorset..."
The Cayman is a sporty car made by Porsche that sits in the middle of the car. It’s liked because it handles well and is lighter than many other cars.
The Porsche Cayman is a mid‑engined sports coupe produced by German automaker Porsche. It’s known for its balanced handling and lightweight chassis, making it popular among driving enthusiasts.
718 GT4
"I met a couple of people who Alex is with the 718 GT4, great talking to him and hearing his story."
The 718 GT4 is a Porsche sports car made for racing and fun driving. It has a powerful engine, good handling, and is designed to be fast on the track.
The Porsche 718 GT4 is a lightweight, track-focused sports car built on the 718 platform. It features a naturally aspirated flat‑six engine, rear‑wheel drive, and advanced aerodynamics for high performance.
Porsche's by the lake
"But for me, my favorite show slash event by far and away is Porsche's by the lake."
It’s a gathering where people come to see Porsche cars by a lake. Fans of the brand enjoy watching and talking about the cars together.
‘Porsche’s by the lake’ is an annual automotive event featuring Porsche cars, often held near a lakeside location, where enthusiasts gather to view and celebrate the brand’s models.
flat-six engine
"[1211.5s] It's not a flat-six engine."
A flat-six engine has six cylinders that sit side by side in a flat layout, which helps keep the car balanced and makes it run smoothly.
A flat-six engine is a six-cylinder internal combustion engine arranged in two banks of three cylinders lying flat on either side of the crankshaft, producing a low center of gravity and smooth operation.
4GTS
"It's a key with his 4S, 4GTS. Sorry, because we keep... That was a 4GTS, which he's sort of..."
The 4GTS is a powerful engine that makes the car go fast. It’s used in special high‑speed versions of the Honda Civic.
The 4GTS is a turbocharged 1.8‑liter inline‑four engine found in the Honda Civic Type R, famous for its high performance and distinctive exhaust note.
4S
"It's a key with his 4S, 4GTS. Sorry, because we keep... That was a 4GTS, which he's sort of..."
The 4S is a small engine that Honda used in some of its cars. It’s not very powerful but runs smoothly and uses less gas.
The 4S is a 1.6‑liter inline‑four engine used in early Honda Civics, known for its balance of power and fuel efficiency.
9-1/2 Targa
"And I honestly firmly believe, you know, doing tracing the Targa Floreau in a 9‑1/2 Targa on the 50th anniversary of the 9‑1/2 Targa with the most spectacular human beings is honestly one of the very best things I've ever done."
The 9‑1/2 Targa is a special version of the Porsche 911 sports car. It has a removable roof section that gives it a unique look and was made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Targa style.
The 9‑1/2 Targa is a special edition of the Porsche 911 that features a removable roof panel and a distinctive half‑targa design. It was produced in the early 1990s as a limited‑run model for the 50th anniversary of the original Targa.
Rolls-Royce
"[2160.5s] And Derbyshire's where my grandparents lived [2163.5s] were based when I was a child, me, Scott, there for Christmasism. [2166.5s] The reason they were there was my grandfather was at Rolls-Royce. [2169.5s] There was an engineer at Rolls-Royce."
Rolls‑Royce makes very fancy, expensive cars that are often seen as a symbol of wealth and status.
Rolls‑Royce is a British luxury automobile manufacturer known for its high‑end, hand‑built cars that emphasize comfort and prestige.
9-on-1
"[2325.5s] Owen behind in his 9-on-1."
In this style, nine cars race together while one car races alone. The solo driver has a clear track ahead and can focus on speed without traffic.
A racing format where nine cars compete against a single car, often used in time‑attack or hillclimb events to create a clear winner.
Porsche Carrera T
"And I, that Carrera T did not feature on my, anywhere near the top of that list."
The Carrera T is a special, race‑ready version of Porsche’s famous 911 sports car. It’s lighter and faster than the regular 911, with a powerful engine that makes it exciting to drive.
The Porsche Carrera T is a limited‑edition, track‑focused version of the 911 that debuted in 2015. It features a lightweight chassis, aggressive aerodynamics, and a naturally aspirated flat‑six engine tuned for high performance.
manual gearbox
"I think the thing to throw into the mix of that is manual gearbox, that gives you more of an engagement."
A manual gearbox lets you choose the gear yourself by moving a lever and pressing a pedal. It can feel more engaging because you’re directly controlling the car’s speed and power.
A manual gearbox, also known as a stick shift, requires the driver to manually select gears using a clutch and gear lever. It offers more direct control over power delivery compared to an automatic transmission.
Club Sport
"[3139.5s] basic 911. [3140s] You know, it reminded me a little bit of the club sport"
‘Club Sport’ is a special version of the Porsche 911 that’s set up to be faster and more fun to drive, usually with better suspension and lighter parts.
‘Club Sport’ is a trim level or variant of the Porsche 911 that emphasizes a more performance‑oriented setup, often with lighter weight and sportier suspension tuning.
boxer
"the 911, the boxer"
A boxer engine is like two pistons that push out in opposite directions, so the car stays low and balanced.
A boxer engine is a flat‑six or flat‑four configuration where the cylinders lie horizontally and opposite pistons move in opposite directions, giving a low center of gravity.
Pizzo injectors
"they use the Pizzo injectors or Pizzo."
Pizzo injectors are special parts that spray fuel into the engine’s cylinders. They help the car run smoother and use less gas.
Pizzo injectors are a type of fuel injector developed by the Italian company Pizzolato. They deliver fuel more precisely and efficiently, improving combustion and reducing emissions.
hybrid
"at the hybrid 911 GTS International launch"
A hybrid car uses both a regular gasoline engine and an electric motor. This helps the car use less fuel and produce fewer emissions, while still giving it good power.
A hybrid vehicle combines an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Hybrid powertrains are common in modern sports cars aiming for performance while staying environmentally friendly.
STI
"And the STI drove to Norway. Oh, I liked it."
STI is a special version of Subaru cars that are faster and more fun to drive. They have extra power, better handling, and a sporty look.
STI refers to Subaru's Performance Line, most notably the WRX STI model, which is a high‑performance variant of Subaru's popular WRX sedan. It features a turbocharged flat‑four engine, all‑wheel drive, and aggressive suspension tuning for spirited driving.
overdrive
"[3919.5s] The revs are so high, it really needs an overdrive."
Think of overdrive as a gear that helps the car go faster without making the engine work too hard. It’s like shifting to a higher gear so you can drive long distances more comfortably and save gas.
An overdrive is a gear reduction that allows the engine to run at lower RPMs while maintaining higher vehicle speeds, improving fuel economy and reducing wear on the engine during highway cruising.
sub-20
"Is it sub-20? I think you can get some for sub-20."
"Sub‑20" means the car costs less than $20,000. It’s a way people talk about how affordable a used car is.
"Sub‑20" refers to a price range below $20,000. In the context of used sports cars, it indicates that the vehicle can be found for less than that amount.
classic retrofit
"he broke fitted my 930 Martini, the classic retrofit"
A classic retrofit means taking an old car and adding newer parts to make it run better or look nicer, but keeping its original style.
A classic retrofit refers to updating or modifying a vintage car with modern components, such as new wheels, brakes, or suspension, while preserving its original character.
PCM
"for the PCM coming directly from Porsche"
PCM is a computer inside the car that tells the engine and gearbox when to turn on or off. It helps the car run smoothly and efficiently.
PCM stands for Powertrain Control Module, the electronic unit that manages engine and transmission functions in modern cars. It replaces older mechanical control systems with software‑based management.
PCCM Plus
"And obviously with the PCCM plus as it will be called. It's crazy to call 991 a classic, right?"
PCCM Plus is Porsche’s fancy computer that lets you use things like Apple CarPlay, maps, and music on the car’s screen.
PCCM Plus refers to Porsche’s upgraded Communication Management system, which integrates navigation, media, and connectivity features like Apple CarPlay into the vehicle’s infotainment interface.
Slendage
"[5658.5s] Slendage. [5659.5s] Slendage."
They make parts that let you change gears more easily in a Porsche 911.
Slendage is a specialty company that designs and manufactures aftermarket gear lever upgrades for Porsche 911 models, often improving shift feel and ergonomics.
sliding bushes
"The standard coupling is, um, there's got a couple of sort of sliding bushes in there and a pin."
They are tiny parts that let two pieces of a car’s drivetrain turn together without grinding, keeping the connection smooth.
Sliding bushes are small, cylindrical bearings that allow smooth rotation between two connected shafts while reducing friction and wear.
Pontiac Le Mans
"I drove across America starting New York City ended up in Baja California that was carried out predominantly in a Pontiac Le Mans and please do not think that there's got anything to do with the 24-hour race in America because it certainly does it's a voxel bellmont if you know what that is"
The Pontiac Le Mans is a classic American car from the 1970s. It’s known for its roomy interior and was part of Pontiac’s lineup before the brand was discontinued.
The Pontiac Le Mans was a mid‑sized sedan produced by General Motors in the 1970s and early 1980s. It was built on the GM A platform, sharing many components with other Pontiac models like the Bonneville and Grand Prix.
ceramic brakes
"I noticed it had ceramics and I said would you take the ceramics off and box them and his reply was who would I be boxing them for another one"
Ceramic brakes are a special type of brake that is lighter and stays cool even when you use it a lot, so the car can stop faster without overheating.
Ceramic brakes use ceramic composite discs instead of traditional steel, offering reduced weight, lower fade under high temperatures, and quieter operation. They are common on high‑performance cars like the Porsche 997 GT3 RS.
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