A summary article of the recent live radio stream “Welcome Home, PORSCHE.”
Feel free to enjoy it during your commute, school run, or as a driving companion inside your Porsche.
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Main Topics and Highlights

Return to Sunday Morning at Daikoku PA [0:15]

• After a long break, we visited Royu Driveway on a Sunday morning with the 718 Spyder RS. Compared to usual Sunday mornings, there were fewer cars around.
• We spotted 3 to 4 McLarens and some unique cars like the RWB Porsche. However, not all were Porsches, and it felt like more people were camping inside their vehicles.
• A yellow 991 late-model GT3RS appeared, the exact Racing Yellow as the 718 Spyder RS. The Spyder’s yellow color is quite rare and received praise from listeners.

Porsche’s Losses and Challenges in the Chinese Market [6:01]

• Porsche’s financial losses sparked discussion. Sales have dropped drastically in China. Audi launched a new EV brand but was forced to lower prices immediately after release, with dealers closing down rapidly.
• Chinese-made EVs boast superior battery tech, impressive acceleration, luxurious interiors, and user-friendly software. At comparable specs, Chinese cars are much cheaper, making German vehicles less attractive.
• Taycan’s infotainment still requires Wi-Fi for apps like YouTube, lagging far behind Chinese EVs in this area.
• Rumors of discontinuing the 718 EV model surfaced. The trend suggests Porsche must increase gas engine offerings; the engine’s heartbeat and sound remain core expectations. An all-EV strategy seems tough to sustain.
• There’s info that Porsche is selling at 20% discounts in China. Test drivers of BYD praised it highly, echoing the historic Japanese car wave that reshaped the U.S. market.

The Never-Ending Journey to Find the Perfect Car [14:00]

• Listener Cody shared how passionate he remains riding his 911 Carrera T Cabriolet. Finding that perfectly tuned car feels like a true blessing.
• Hiro mentioned enjoying the raw feel of the 718 Spyder RS but also being attracted to the elegant drive of a Mercedes-Benz SL, the fun manual transmission of the 981, and the finely detailed, immersive connection with the 964.
• He reflected, “Preferences never settle for life; that’s why the car search never ends,” embracing the ongoing adventure.

Windshield Stone Chip Protection & Reality of Protection Films [19:42]

• A GT3 owner friend from Royu Driveway shared that applying protective film twice for circuit driving didn’t prevent cracks, advising not to bother using those films.
• While a car magazine noted that layering 2-3 films might help, visibility problems at night or in tunnels make this impractical.
• Listeners noted Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance’s Porsche policy includes windshield coverage—repair or replacement up to ¥100,000 with just a ¥10,000 deductible.

992.1 Base Carrera vs 991.2 Cabriolet: Plus Carrera vs Turbo [25:23]

• A listener asked about the 992.1 base Carrera versus 991.2 Cabriolet. Although the 991 late model nails the style, the 992 shines in suspension refinement. Hiro still dreams of owning the 992.1 base Carrera and highly recommends it.
• Between the 992.1 Carrera and Turbo, if price were no concern, Turbo is the clear winner. After driving a Turbo, going back to a Carrera felt “light and hollow.” The Turbo delivers a rich, mature driving experience.
• Both have similar throttle response, but the 3.8L Turbo has superior high-rev power delivery.

Sonax Wheel Coating: A Game Changer [28:20]

• Sonax’s “Extreme Protective Wheel Coating” received rave reviews. Applied on Hiro’s SL, 981 Boxster, and 964, it dramatically cuts brake dust buildup.
• The notoriously brake-dust-heavy 964 became almost spotless with just a spray. Even after 1,000–1,500 km (2–3 gas fill-ups) on the SL, wheels remained remarkably clean.
• The downside: durability is limited—scrubbing the wheels during washes removes the coating. However, normal rain doesn’t wash it away, and it doesn’t linger on brakes, which avoids problems.
• It’s affordably priced in the ¥2,000 range, with Yodobashi Camera offering great deals. One listener humorously ordered it live during the stream, adding a TV shopping vibe.

Topic: What Are the Best Exhaust and Engine Sounds? [35:58]

• This episode’s question focused on cars with the best exhaust and engine notes. Names like Lamborghini Huracán, 981 Cayman GTS, Cayenne GTS V8, 991 late GT3RS, Carrera GT, GT2RS, and LFA came up.
• The 981 Cayman GTS was noted for its dramatic blipping and burbling, with its PDK quicker and crisper than the 991’s. Many 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 owners tune their valves for forced valve opening, dramatically improving sound quality.
• The naturally aspirated 3.4L of the 991 early Carrera shines with a wonderfully rich midrange but struggles a bit at high revs, described as a “hoarse singer’s voice.” The 991 GT3RS PDK shift-up sound resembles a race cup car and is considered peak.
• Hiro personally loves the sounds of the early 991 Carrera line, the smooth, warmed engines of the air-cooled 964/993, the overwhelming sound pressure of the 981 Spyder, and the 991 Speedster.
• Overall, naturally aspirated engines were favored, especially from the 991 and 718 generations. Ferrari names surprisingly did not come up much.

Rumors on the GT3 Cabriolet “911 S/C” Release [52:35]

• Hiro discussed the highly anticipated “GT3 Cabriolet” rumored to be launching soon. Media scoops suggest it’s a near certainty.
• According to insider info, the name might be “911 S/C” (Sports Cabriolet). Unlike the 930-era “Super Carrera,” this would use a slash (“S/C”) in the badge.
• Built on the 992.2 GT3 chassis, it will feature four catalytic converters plus two GPF filters—a heavily filtered exhaust system—yet still deliver that iconic GT3 sound. It will be the first GT3 engine Cabriolet since the Speedster.
• Likely a limited edition initially, it might become a regular catalog model down the line, similar to how the 911R led to the GT3 Touring. Euro 7 emission rules coming next year will probably make the current naturally aspirated GT3 engine obsolete, making this a final hurrah.
• There was chatter about a Turbo plus Targa combo, but if realized, it could easily price in the 40-50 million yen range, sparking lively excitement.