Fast forward 1984-2022
39 years later, the all-new Porsche 911 Dakar is named after and inspired by the first rally win by Porsche in 1984 at the Paris-Dakar Rally. The new 911 is the first all-wheel-drive off-road-ready 911 built for the public.
The Young Aficionado
STANDING TALL
Sticking their neck out and building something that many people would call crazy, Porsche knew they needed to produce something quite perfect. In crafting this machine, they used the ideology that if someone is going to break the mold, that someone will be them. General Project Manager Achim Lamparterand Development Engineers tested the 911 Dakar all over the globe, totaling over 300,000 miles including more than 6000 miles offroad.
In Dubai and Morocco, the test drivers drove the off-road sports cars up steep 160-foot dunes in temps up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. In Sweden, the Dakar was put to the test in the frozen lakes of Arjeplog to prove that the 911 can take on a 90 percent closed compacted snow surface – a more realistic scenario than pure ice.
POWER PLANT
Powering the Dakar is a 3.0-liter twin-turbo Boxer engine making 473 hp and 420 lb.-ft. torque. The boxer engine does not sound half bad, either. The new 911 Dakar accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, with a top track speed limited to 150 mph due to the high cross-section of the all-terrain tires. Being paired with a bulletproof eight-speed PDK, it is not only reliable but lightning-quick as well.
The list of other mechanical advancements is very long. A couple to mention include rear axle steering and the engine mounts adopted from the 911 GT3. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) is standard, making taking on sand and loose gravel never easier. The Dakar comes with two new modes, Rallye Mode and Off-Road Mode. Rallye Mode is programmed for loose, uneven surfaces and biases power to the rear axle and comes with its launch control, explicitly developed for this vehicle. Off-Road Mode maximizes traction on sand and in rough terrain, with “High Level” ride height automatically engaged.
OPTIONALS
The new Dakar features a fixed rear spoiler and a hood made of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic, taken from the 911 GT3, with large openings designed to extract air.
Red front and rear tow hooks crafted of forged aluminum, flared fender arches and rocker panels contribute to the off-road appearance, as do the stainless steel body elements on the front and rear fascia and side skirts. The side air intakes in the newly designed front fascia also have stainless steel mesh grilles to prevent rocks and other damaging objects from entering. Extensive stainless steel use in this 911 makes it more beach-ready than ever. The roof is equipped with a 12-volt-socket for the headlights of the optional roof basket. It can hold up to 92 lbs. of equipment, such as spare gas and water canisters, folding shovels, and recovery boards. A roof tent is available for the 911 Dakar as well.
The optional Rallye Design Package starts with a two-tone paint consisting of White and Gentian Blue Metallic. This represents the first time Porsche combines a two-tone paint color with decorative livery. Customers can opt for a start number on the side of the car between “0” and “999.”
THE PRICE
The Porsche 911 Dakar is expected to arrive in U.S. dealers in Spring 2023, with a starting MSRP of $222,000, excluding $1,450 for delivery, processing, and handling.
