In recognition of its 1984 Paris-Dakar rally victory, Porsche is launching a rally-ready 911 Dakar.
Porsche is set to unveil a special 911 model at the LA Auto Show, the 911 Dakar. Steeped in rally history, the company sets out to make its first publicly available OEM off-road capable 911.
Official details from Porsche are sparse, but the model appears to be based on the current 992 chassis and will likely be powered by a turbocharged flat-six. Serious modifications were made to complete rigorous testing across Dubai, France, and Sweden.
Porsche claims the 911 Dakar endured over 300,000 miles of testing, much of it off-road in Dubai and Morocco. Climbing up and spinning down 160-foot dunes is the automotive epitome of trial by fire for a low-slung, rear-engine model.
The Château de Lastours test track in southern France was used to gauge the model’s rally pedigree on loose gravel roads. Porsche works driver Romain Dumas was tasked with testing the model in France, saying, “I was absolutely stunned by how well the car performed here on loose surfaces.”
The folks in Stuttgart enlisted another driving legend to put the 911 Dakar through its paces: Walter Röhrl. On the thick ice of the frozen lakes in Arjeplog, Sweden, Röhrl slid the car and examined its traction and steering characteristics.
Romain Dumas is pictured here with a properly filthy Dakar model. Note the bolt-on fender flares.
“The 911 Dakar delivered strong performance even in the desert,” says Frank Moser, vice president of the 911/718 model line. “Especially here, the 911 Dakar can make the most of its conceptual advantages—the combination of low weight, higher ground clearance, a powerful rear-mounted engine, and the short wheelbase make for an exhilarating driving experience.”
“The car is incredibly fun to drive,” two-time World Rally champion Walter Röhrl said. “Everything works so precisely and calmly.”
Development driver Lars Kern noted the ABS has been optimized for braking on gravel, meaning it will be more lenient with wheel slip.
Temperatures went as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit during the model’s testing time in the Sahara, with Porsche ensuring the model will be capable of just about any adventure.
Keyword: 2024 Porsche 911 Dakar Ready for Extreme Off-Roading