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Indispensable, now that he has been presented

Sometimes something doesn’t exist yet, but then when something becomes a reality and you ask yourself why this hasn’t been thought of before, you know it’s right. The Porsche 911 Dakar is exactly like that. Did we need him? No, actually no. But now that the car is here, we really don’t want to live without it. Because oef, because Porsche puts a nice overall package on the road here. Or the sand, whatever you want.

Winking at Porsche 953 Dakar

Not only does the Porsche 911 Dakar underscore that there are hardly any limits to the concept of the Porsche 911, the sports car also commemorates Porsche’s first overall victory in the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally in the specially modified 953, the first all-wheel-drive 911. As a nod to that legendary Dakar victory, the new Porsche 911 Dakar is optionally available with a Rallye Design package that references that iconic 1984 winner.

A trend

It is apparently a trend, to convert existing sports cars to an offroader. Morgan did it before with the Morgan Plus Four CX-T, and Lamborghini closes the conventional gasoline era with a very special Huracán: the Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato. Porsche is now coming out with an adventurous version of the iconic 911.

Increased ground clearance

What is immediately noticeable is the increased ground clearance. This is 50 millimeters larger on the 911 Dakar than on a 911 Carrera with sport suspension. In addition, the standard elevator system can raise the front and rear by another 30 millimeters. So a total of 8 centimeters! This brings ground clearance and lean angle up to the level of conventional SUVs.

Obstacles? Pfff, there is no such thing

The elevator system is not only used to drive slowly over obstacles, but is also an integral part of the newly tuned chassis. For ambitious off-roaders, the “high level” setting is available up to a speed of 170 km/h. If this speed is exceeded, the car automatically drops back to normal.

Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires

The 911 Dakar is on specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires in size 245/45 ZR 19 in the front and 295/40 ZR 20 in the rear. The tires have a coarse tread, a depth of nine millimeters, reinforced cheeks and a tread consisting of two layers of cords. This means that the tires of the Porsche 911 Dakar are also suitable for the most challenging off-road conditions. In addition, the new Dakar is optionally available with Pirelli P Zero summer and winter tires that also have two cord layers. All-terrain tires are standard.

How much power does the Porsche 911 Dakar have?

The Porsche 911 Dakar is equipped with a 3.0-liter biturbo six-cylinder boxer engine with 480 hp (353 kW). The six-cylinder delivers a maximum torque of 570 Nm. The famous 0-100 sprint takes only 3.4 seconds. The top speed is capped at 240 km/h due to the All Terrain tires. Still fast enough. The 911 Dakar’s boxer engine is paired with an eight-speed PDK and Porsche all-wheel drive as standard.

This is also standard

Rear axle steering, engine mounts from the 911 GT3 and active roll stabilization (PDCC) are also standard on the Dakar variant of the Porsche 911. Porsche promises that with the interplay of these components, the Dakar drives as dynamically on sand and gravel as it does on the Nordschleife. There is a choice of two new driving modes. Rallye mode is ideal for loose, uneven surfaces where all-wheel drive is focused on the rear wheels. In off-road mode, high ground clearance is automatically activated. This mode is designed for maximum traction on difficult terrain and on sand. Both driving modes feature the new Rallye Launch Control. The latter provides impressive acceleration on loose surfaces and allows wheel slip of about 20 percent.

Optional with roof rack or roof tent

Other distinguishing features of the 911 Dakar include the newly developed fixed lightweight rear spoiler made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and the 911 GT3’s CFRP front visor with its distinctive vents. The Dakar also has standard off-road details like red aluminum front and rear towing eyes, widened wheel arches and sills, and stainless steel protection plates on the front and rear and in front of the sills. Stainless steel grilles protect the front bumper air intakes from flying stones.

12-volt power connection

The roof of the Porsche 911 Dakar has a highly visible 12-volt power connection for the spotlights of the optional roof rack. With a load capacity of 42 pounds, this roof rack can easily carry typical rally accessories such as gasoline and water jerry cans, folding shovels and driving plates. Porsche also supplies a rooftop tent for the 911 Dakar.

Sporty interior

Inside, the 911 Dakar underscores its sporty ambitions with standard bucket seats and the omission of the rear seats. Lighter glass and a lightweight battery further reduce weight, making the Porsche 911 Dakar only ten kilograms heavier than a 911 Carrera 4 GTS with PDK. A distinctive feature in the Dakar interior is the standard Racetex trim with decorative stitching in Shade green. Exclusively for the 911 Dakar, this color is also available as a metallic exterior paint.

Rally Design package with looks of winning 1984 Dakar 911 SC/RS 4×4

The optional Rallye Design package of the new 911 Dakar is based on the two-tone paint finish in white/gentian blue metallic of the winning car of the 1984 Dakar Rally. Porsche is using the combination of a two-tone paint and decorative film in series production for the first time with the Dakar. On the flanks of the Dakar, customers can choose an individual starting number, ranging from “1” to “999. In addition to the decorative striping in red and gold, the 911 Dakar with Rally Design package also carries the inscription “Roughroads” on the doors. This name is a registered trademark and refers to the Dakar’s suitability for off-road use. Available as an option is the Rallye Sport package with roll bar, six-point harnesses and a fire extinguisher.

Free watch

Dutch buyers of the 911 Dakar will receive as standard the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar or the Chronograph 1 – 911 Dakar Rallye Design Edition to match the car. For the first time, the case of the watch is made of particularly scratch-resistant and lightweight titanium carbide.

March 2023

The new 911 Dakar was presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The unique variant can be ordered immediately and will be at Dutch Porsche Centers from March 2023. The Dutch recommended retail price is €299,900. That includes a watch.