The 2026 9WERKS Awards Live & Grant Larson’s Design Secrets

A show car is a concept or prototype vehicle built to demonstrate design direction, styling, and sometimes technology. It’s often shown at events before a production model exists, and in this segment it’s used to describe the 1993 Boxster design origin.

“Sondervansh” appears to be a stylized/incorrectly transcribed reference to Porsche’s special customization or bespoke program concepts. In context, the hosts say these “secrets” are becoming increasingly important at Porsche, suggesting a focus on unique, tailored builds rather than standard production.

A one-of-one build is a single, unique customer car—no identical production counterpart. The hosts say Grant Larson let slip when the audience can next expect to see Porsche’s next one-of-one, framing it as a special, highly exclusive release.

Flush glass means window glass that sits nearly even with the surrounding body panels, reducing steps and turbulence. That can improve aerodynamic efficiency by smoothing airflow around the cabin.

Audi is a German automaker known for engineering-led design and aerodynamics. In this segment, the host credits Audi’s “flush glass” and advanced aerodynamics to the influence of Ferdinand Piëch-era priorities.

Advanced aerodynamics refers to design choices that reduce drag and manage airflow for better efficiency and stability. In car design, it often includes shaping surfaces, controlling airflow around the cabin, and reducing turbulence.

Ferdinand Piëch was a major automotive executive associated with Volkswagen Group, and he’s often linked to a strong engineering and performance culture. Here, his name is used to frame Audi’s push toward aerodynamic efficiency and design details.

The Porsche 356 is an early Porsche sports car known for its lightweight design and air-cooled flat-four engine layout. It’s a foundational model for the brand’s identity and is widely collected and restored today.

“Boxers” refers to boxer engines—flat engines where opposing cylinders move in and out horizontally. This layout is common in Porsche’s air-cooled engines and helps with a low center of gravity and compact packaging.

A dune buggy is a lightweight off-road vehicle designed for sand and rough terrain, often built with a simple, open layout and a focus on traction and fun. In the podcast context, the host references specific dune buggy builds that use Porsche 356 engines and other Porsche-based components, showing how Porsche powertrains can be adapted into custom off-road projects. That’s why it appears alongside names like Myers-Manx and other classic buggy references.

“Carrera GT” is being referenced as a Porsche project that came after the Boxster/986 work. Porsche’s “Carrera” naming is tied to its performance-focused 911 lineage, while “GT” typically signals a more track-oriented, high-performance direction.

The Porsche 997 is the 911 generation that followed the 996 era, and it’s widely discussed among enthusiasts for its refined driving feel and design. In this segment, Grant Larson ties his work to the 997 and then to later 911 derivatives.

An “advanced roof system” refers to the engineering of how a roof panel or roof section moves—often including mechanisms, seals, and structural design that maintain rigidity. For Targa- and Speedster-style cars, the roof system is a key part of making open-air driving practical without compromising safety and stiffness.

Motorsport cars are purpose-built or heavily modified vehicles designed for racing conditions rather than everyday driving. They often prioritize aerodynamic efficiency, cooling capacity, and chassis balance to handle repeated high-load driving.

A boxer-eight cylinder is an engine with eight cylinders arranged in two opposing banks, where the pistons move toward and away from each other like a boxer’s fists. This layout is associated with Porsche’s flat-engine design language and affects engine height, weight distribution, and how the engine can be packaged in the chassis.

“Lightweight” in performance car design means reducing mass so the car accelerates, brakes, and changes direction more easily. In motorsport, shaving weight can also improve tire wear and overall efficiency because the car has less inertia to manage.

The Porsche 935 is a legendary 911-based race car built for endurance racing, best known for its turbocharged performance and wide-body, track-focused design. In Porsche history, it’s a standout example of how the brand’s motorsport engineering can be translated into a very aggressive, purpose-built package.

In racing, a spoiler is an aerodynamic device that helps generate downforce—pushing the car’s tires harder onto the track. More downforce generally improves grip and stability, especially at speed, but it can also increase drag.

A mid-engine car places the engine near the center of the vehicle, typically between the front and rear axles. That layout can improve balance and handling because the weight sits closer to the car’s center of gravity.

A “flat 8” is an engine where eight cylinders are arranged horizontally in two banks (four on each side), like a boxer-style layout. In Porsche applications, the flat design keeps the engine low, which can improve handling by lowering the car’s center of gravity.

The Porsche 914 is a classic-era sports car that’s often remembered for its distinctive place in Porsche history and for being a relatively affordable entry point to the brand. It’s especially discussed by enthusiasts when talking about the different engine options, including the six-cylinder versions. That’s why a podcast might highlight “914s, especially with the 6-cylinder” as a notable facet of the model’s legacy.

A “6-cylinder” engine uses six cylinders to produce power, typically with smoother operation and different torque characteristics than smaller four-cylinder setups. In the context of the Porsche 914 mention, it refers to the enthusiast interest in 914s equipped with a six-cylinder configuration.

A front-engine layout places the engine at the front of the car, usually ahead of the front axle. It’s common in many sedans and can simplify packaging, but it also shifts more weight forward compared with mid-engine or rear-engine designs.

“Rear mid-engine” describes an engine placement where the engine is located behind the passenger compartment but still forward of the rear axle. This layout helps with weight distribution and can make the car feel more balanced through turns.

“Lightweight Roadster” is mentioned as a project type/initiative, implying a focus on reducing mass to improve driving feel and efficiency. In Porsche development history, lightweight roadster concepts are often used to explore new engineering approaches before committing to production.

The segment ties engineering and project cancellations to business pressure, noting that sales were dropping. That kind of market slowdown can affect how aggressively a company funds new vehicle programs.

The Mercedes-Benz 500E is a high-performance executive sedan from Mercedes-Benz that’s often discussed for its rarity and for being built in relatively small numbers. In this episode, it’s mentioned as part of the production support ecosystem around Porsche in the early 1990s.

The Fiat 500e is an all-electric version of the Fiat 500, built for compact, city-focused driving. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned alongside other production numbers and comparisons, which suggests the discussion is about electric-car availability and how many were made. That makes it relevant when talking about what exists in the real world versus what’s imagined or planned.

The Porsche 928 is a grand-touring Porsche built around a front-engine, V8 layout and known for being a more comfort-focused alternative to the 911. In this segment, the host highlights production scarcity by citing a specific unit count for the 928.

The Porsche Boxster is Porsche’s mid-engine roadster, known for bringing the brand’s sports-car balance to a more accessible package. In this segment, the host connects the Boxster’s development approach to Porsche’s plan to pair mid-engine ideas with the 911’s architecture.

The B-pillar is the structural post between the front and rear doors (or between the windshield and rear side window area). Mentioning “from the B-pillar forward” implies Porsche shared or aligned design/structure elements in the front cabin area while differing elsewhere.

“X, Y coordinates in space” describes using a grid-like reference system to define exact positions. In design workflows, it often means mapping shapes and surfaces precisely before they’re translated into physical parts.

“Sculpting seats out of clay” refers to a physical, full-size design prototype process. Designers shape clay to refine ergonomics and form before committing to production tooling.

“Claying” is a common prototype-bodywork technique where builders use modeling clay to refine the shape before final fabrication. It’s used to quickly re-form surfaces (like the rear end around the license plate area) when the fitment or proportions need adjusting.

“Digital thing” here refers to using digital design/CAD workflows instead of doing everything by hand. The idea is that you can adjust bodywork dimensions virtually, then produce the result faster (e.g., by overnight work).

Wheel size affects fitment, stance, and how the body and suspension clear the tire. Mentioning “13-inch wheels” signals they were dealing with packaging and clearance constraints on the modified car, since smaller wheels can change proportions and how other components fit.

A movable spoiler is an aerodynamic device that can change position to alter airflow and downforce. The segment implies they couldn’t fit the spoiler in the intended way, which then affected the car’s rear-end shape and overall aerodynamic packaging.

Headlamps are the vehicle’s front lighting units, but in design discussions they often refer to the specific shape and integration of the lamp housings into the bodywork. The host references “Friday headlamps” as a design detail they’ve already covered, suggesting a distinctive lighting package tied to the show car’s styling.

When engineers say they could “make a patent out of this,” they mean the design feature is novel enough to be legally protected. In automotive design, this often applies to unique packaging, aerodynamic elements, or mechanical solutions that provide a measurable advantage.

The Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact SUV built around battery-electric propulsion and modern software features. It’s commonly discussed in the context of Tesla’s lineup and how different models are designed for everyday use. In the podcast excerpt, it’s referenced as “my model” in a comparison or layout, suggesting it’s part of a broader discussion about design or ownership experience.

The Honda NSX is a mid-engine sports car that’s famous for its lightweight construction and for being engineered like a true driver’s car rather than a styling exercise. In enthusiast circles, it’s often referenced as a benchmark for how a modern supercar should feel and handle.

The Toyota MR2 is a compact sports car best known for its mid-engine layout, which gives it balanced handling for its size. It’s frequently used as a “reference car” because it demonstrates how packaging and weight distribution affect driving feel.

The Nissan 300ZX is a classic Japanese sports coupe known for its performance-focused design and enthusiast following. In the podcast excerpt, it’s mentioned in a lineup alongside other sports cars, suggesting the discussion is about comparing or identifying different cars in a collection. That makes it relevant as a recognizable model within a broader set of performance vehicles.

The Mazda Miata is a lightweight, driver-focused roadster that became a benchmark for “fun per dollar” handling. It’s often used as a reference car because its simple, balanced design highlights how chassis feel and steering response shape the driving experience.

The Porsche 956 is a legendary Group C race car built for endurance racing, especially the 1980s Le Mans era. It’s known for its purpose-built aerodynamics and engineering that helped Porsche dominate long-distance racing.

The Porsche 962 is the evolution of Porsche’s Group C endurance racer, designed to keep the team competitive as rules and technology changed. Like the 956, it’s strongly associated with Porsche’s success in long-distance racing.

A tube frame chassis uses a welded network of metal tubes as the car’s main structure, rather than relying on a full unibody. This is common in race cars because it can be very stiff and lightweight, and it’s easier to build and modify for competition needs.

A test track is a controlled driving environment used to evaluate how a car behaves under real-world conditions like speed, braking, and stability. In this segment, it’s where they roll the car out after removing the engine and try to assess what’s wrong.

Downforce is the downward aerodynamic force that pushes a car toward the road. Designers use it to improve grip at speed, which can make handling more stable and predictable.

A tail lamp is the rear lighting unit used for brake lights, running lights, and visibility to other drivers. In design discussions, its shape and packaging can affect aerodynamics, styling, and how the car reads visually at night.

A facelift is a mid-cycle update to a car’s styling and sometimes its equipment or mechanical details, usually to refresh the model without redesigning it from scratch. In this segment, the speaker contrasts an earlier look with “the facelift,” implying the bumper/front-end design was revised to match the updated styling.

The Porsche Boxster Coupe was an attempt to turn the Boxster’s open-top concept into a more enclosed “hard-top” style car. In this segment, they describe how they tried to package it by reusing parts like the rear deck/trunk/boot lid while keeping the rear end unchanged.

The rear deck lid is the body panel that closes over the rear area on some Porsche roadsters/coupes, often forming access to the rear storage space. In this segment, it’s part of the packaging discussion for the Boxster Coupe concept.

A boot lid is the hinged panel that closes the trunk/boot opening at the rear of a car. The hosts mention it alongside the rear deck and trunk lid to describe how the enclosed Boxster Coupe would use existing rear bodywork.

The Porsche Cayman is Porsche’s mid-engine coupe that arrived after the Boxster Coupe idea was put on hold. Here, the hosts connect the delay of the enclosed Boxster concept to the later arrival of the Cayman.

Sonderwunsch is a German term meaning “special wish,” referring to customer-specific customization requests. In Porsche context, it often describes bespoke options or tailored requests beyond standard configurations.

“Paint to sample plus” refers to a custom paint process where you start with an existing color reference and then modify it to better match the customer’s target shade. The speaker contrasts it with “paint to sample” by explaining that the final color is essentially a new, tailored variant.

“918s” most likely refers to the Porsche 918 (the 918 Spyder), a modern halo supercar known for its advanced hybrid powertrain. Here it’s used as the upper end of the range for the factory restoration work mentioned in the segment.

Re-commissioning is the process of bringing a car back into service after it’s been stored, partially disassembled, or otherwise out of active use. In the context of factory restorations, it typically involves inspection, recommissioning systems, and verifying the car is ready to run and meet the intended configuration.

A one-off is a vehicle built as a single, unique example rather than as a production model. In custom-vehicle culture, one-offs often come from a specific client request, with bespoke bodywork, interior, and exterior details. Here, the host uses “one-off” to describe a custom Porsche 993 speedster designed by Luca Tracci.

The hosts describe scanning cars with the same equipment to measure and analyze them. In automotive design, this kind of digital measurement helps teams compare bodywork, proportions, and fitment details across multiple reference vehicles.

Blender is a 3D creation software used to model and render digital objects. In automotive design contexts, it can be used to build and iterate car body concepts in a virtual environment before moving to physical prototypes.

A 3D model is a digital, computer-generated representation of a car’s shape and packaging. In custom design workflows, it’s used to rough in the customer’s idea before physical mockups, helping teams visualize fitment and proportions early.

The Tesla Model 3 is an all-electric sedan known for being one of Tesla’s most widely used models. It’s often discussed in terms of design and how customer feedback or early concepts translate into a production car. In the podcast context, it’s tied to a story about a customer’s idea being roughed in as a 3D model, which highlights the design process behind the car.

A donor car is a vehicle used as the source of parts, measurements, or structural reference for a project. In custom builds, the donor’s real dimensions and components help ensure the new design fits and functions as intended.

In this context, “scanned” refers to capturing a real car’s geometry (often via 3D scanning) to measure space and proportions accurately. That data can then be used to design a new body or interior layout that fits the donor car’s real-world dimensions.

The Porsche Macan is Porsche’s compact luxury SUV, built to combine everyday usability with sporty handling and performance. In the podcast context, it’s mentioned as a source for a specific headlamp component, which points to how parts and design elements can carry over within a model range. That kind of detail is typical when discussing engineering or design challenges.

Rear louvers are slatted openings or vents on the rear of a car, used for styling and sometimes for airflow management. Here, the designer is choosing the rear-louver design language from the 911 (997) rather than the older 993, which affects how the car’s back end looks and reads visually.

Porsche Tequipment (often shortened in conversation to PTS) is Porsche’s program for bespoke paint-to-sample customization. It lets customers order specific custom colors—like “Otto Yellow”—that aren’t part of the standard palette.

Mounting the engine to the transmission means physically connecting the powertrain components so they work as one unit. This is a key assembly step because alignment and mating surfaces affect driveline smoothness and fitment.

“Fried egg lamps” is an enthusiast nickname for the classic Porsche 911 headlight design with round, protruding lenses that resemble a fried egg. The segment contrasts this look with later 911 headlight styles, framing it as a more nostalgic “classic” appearance.

In car customization, “backdate” means modifying a newer car to look like an earlier model year or era. Here, the customer wanted to change the 996 cabriolet’s headlights to match the older “fried egg” style.

“Over-engineered” in car design usually means the design uses more complexity, robustness, or refinement than the minimum needed to meet basic requirements. In this context, it’s tied to how the “target design” and opening mechanism are executed, suggesting extra engineering effort for drama, packaging, or durability.

“Target design” refers to a design direction or set of goals that the team is trying to achieve—often balancing styling, aerodynamics, packaging, and user experience. Here, it’s discussed alongside an “over-engineered” aspect and how the car “opens,” implying a deliberate design brief rather than ad-hoc styling.

“Pre-advanced engineering development” sounds like an early-stage engineering phase where concepts are validated before full development. In this segment, the speaker says they were deeply involved in that work, implying it’s part of the process for turning design intent into an actual, buildable car.

A cabriolet is a convertible-style car where the roof can be removed or folded down. In this segment, the speaker ties the cabriolet roof structure to design constraints—straight, geometric lines and the need for “headroom” and packaging space for the roof when it’s down.

The Porsche 918 Spider is a modern plug-in hybrid supercar with a removable roof design that’s referenced here as a comparison point for how a convertible can be engineered. The speaker specifically contrasts the roof’s split, two-piece removable top concept and how the roof structure affects packaging and thickness.

In automotive design, kinematics is the study of how parts move—linkages, pivot points, and motion paths—without focusing on the forces behind the motion. When Porsche talks about “kinematics and electronics,” they’re usually describing how a mechanism’s movement is engineered and controlled.

A rollover bar is a structural element designed to help protect occupants in a rollover by maintaining a protective space. In this segment, the host discusses how splitting a rollover bar with movable parts can reduce its structural function, which is why the design trade-off matters.

A roll bar is a structural safety component intended to resist deformation during a rollover. The segment contrasts a solid roll bar with removable sections and an “electric” version, implying that different designs trade off strength, packaging, and complexity.

“Electric” here refers to a powered mechanism that uses electrical actuation to move or deploy parts. The host frames it as a “kinematic wonder,” suggesting the mechanism’s motion and control are the engineering highlight, even if marketing focused on usability.

A “marketing test” in this context means evaluating a design based on what customers expect and how they will use the feature in real life. The host says marketing judged the concept by whether it would meet expectations for stopping in rain, opening/closing, and using luggage space.

Apple CarPlay is a smartphone-to-car interface that lets you use compatible iPhone apps through your car’s infotainment screen. It typically supports navigation, music, calls, and messages, so the car can act like a safer, integrated display for your phone.

Android Auto is Google’s smartphone-integration system for compatible cars. It displays supported apps on the infotainment screen and routes audio and controls through the car.

A “Remastered 911” refers to a modernized, restyled Porsche 911 concept or build that updates the classic 911 formula with contemporary design and engineering choices. In the podcast context, it’s tied to Singer creations and highlighted as a central feature at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which points to its role as a design-forward interpretation of the 911. That’s why it’s discussed as a notable “facet” of the 911 story beyond factory production.

A “GT3 RS engine” refers to the high-performance powerplant used in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which is tuned for sharper response and track-oriented output compared with standard 911 engines. In this context, it’s being discussed as an engine swap or configuration inside a Porsche 911 (964), which is a common way specialists create unique hybrids.

RestoMod is a restomod: a classic car that’s been restored and then modernized with updated engineering, electronics, and/or performance parts. The goal is usually to keep the original look while improving drivability, safety, and reliability versus the factory setup.

Tatt Hill is credited as the team behind the Porsche 911K build that won the 2026 RestoMod award. That makes them the project’s builder/organizer in the context of the show.

“3.2G” refers to acceleration measured in G-forces, where 1G is roughly the force of gravity. Saying the car’s “3.2G was on its door handles” implies very high lateral/impact loads, like what you’d feel during aggressive cornering or a hard track moment.

The Porsche 959 is a landmark supercar from Porsche’s 1980s era, famous for its advanced engineering and rally-bred tech. It’s especially known for its sophisticated all-wheel-drive system and turbocharged setup, which made it feel far ahead of its time.

In car talk, “aircon” refers to the vehicle’s air-conditioning system. It’s a climate-control feature that cools and dehumidifies the cabin, and it can require service over time (like refrigerant checks and component inspections).

A vetting process is a formal approval workflow where Porsche checks a repair facility’s qualifications and procedures. In this context, it’s used to ensure consistent repair quality before a shop is considered “recommended.”

“Quality of repair” refers to how well technicians restore a vehicle to correct factory specifications after service or troubleshooting. The speaker ties Porsche’s approval to consistently high repair outcomes, not just completing paperwork.

In this segment, training means Porsche-specific instruction for technicians before they’re allowed to work on the brand’s vehicles. The speaker emphasizes that all technicians must be trained through a defined process as part of being recommended.

“Mechanical” here is one of Porsche’s technician training “regimes,” meaning a technician track focused on the car’s physical systems (like drivetrain and chassis components). The speaker contrasts it with other tracks such as electrical.

“Electrical” is another Porsche technician training track, focused on diagnosing and repairing the car’s electrical systems. This typically includes wiring, sensors, modules, and related control electronics.

“PCTN plus 5” appears to be a specific Porsche-related product or kit name that won in the 9WERKS Awards. The segment later clarifies it’s something Porsche Classic has fitted to multiple Porsche models (996/997 and Cayman/Boxster equivalents).

Waze is a GPS navigation app that uses live traffic and crowd-sourced reports to suggest routes. In cars, it’s typically accessed through smartphone integration like CarPlay or Android Auto.

Air-cooled engines rely on airflow over the engine to remove heat instead of using a liquid coolant system. Porsche’s classic lineup includes many air-cooled models, which is why aftermarket or factory-style upgrades often get designed around that cooling architecture.

Water-cooled engines use a liquid coolant that circulates through the engine and radiator to carry away heat. Porsche transitioned many models to water cooling over time, so systems and upgrades may differ between early water-cooled cars and earlier air-cooled ones.

Residual value is the estimated value a car will have later in time (often at lease end or after years of ownership). Keeping a car clean and avoiding common mistakes can help preserve condition, which can support higher residual value.