Built ostensibly to celebrate the first all-wheel drive 911 – the 953 that won the Paris Dakar in 1984 – and also, possibly, because it’s such a cool idea, the Dakar is described as showing “the potential of the Porsche 911 concept”. Powered by the GTS version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat six, that’s 480 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. With the standard eight-speed PDK and four-wheel drive, a 911 Dakar will reach 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds – top speed is 149 mph, thanks to Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires. There are conventional P Zero summer and winter tires available, both with the two-ply all-terrain frame to improve cutting resistance, but come on, it’s a 911 Dakar – you’ve got to have the fat tires. And not just because it looks great in them, the ride height is up 50mm over a Carrera S and with a four-corner lift that can raise it another 30mm. Porsche says this offers “ground clearance and ramp angles that rival those of more conventional off-road vehicles,” which should make for an interesting video or two. And it’s not just for rock crawling, as the Dakar can be run in ‘high level’ mode at up to 106mph for the full rally experience. New motion functions on the steering wheel’s rotary switch help make the most of its extra capability. Rally mode – in 911! – aims to work better on loose surfaces with rear-wheel drive. There is also an Offroad mode for ‘high distance driving’. Both feature Rally Launch Control, which allows up to 20 percent wheel slip for better escape on gravel or the like. Dakar cherry picks some of the best bits from the 911 range for what promises to be an amazing driving experience. It features rear-wheel steering mounts and dynamic engine mounts from the GT3 as standard, as well as Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control. Also note a carbon-reinforced plastic rear spoiler, a hood from the same (borrowed directly from the GT3, too) and a two-seater cabin for the full rally car vibe. With its bucket seats, lighter glass and slim battery, the Dakar is just 10kg heavier than a PDK-equipped C4 GTS – DIN weight (without driver) is 1,605kg. Most interestingly, Porsche reckons the new 911 will be “just as capable on sand and gravel as it is on the Nordschleife”, even if the roof rack is loaded with up to 42kg of fuel, water tanks, skid plates, the optional tent, and shovels available. Just when it seemed that everything had taken a tourist turn, along comes the Dakar. The green car you see here is painted in Shade Green, a new color that will be exclusive to the Dakar. But that’s unlikely to be the focus from launch, as good as it looks, because Dakar customers will also be offered a Rally Design Pack for £18k. Meant to be reminiscent of the iconic Rothmans 953, it combines white and Gentian Blue with red and gold decorative stripes, as well as the customer’s choice between 1 and 999 on the door. “Roughroads” is now a trademark, Porsche says, a mark that “reflects the concept of the 911 Dakar.” But maybe it doesn’t work as well in reality as in the meeting. Shade Green for us, please, with the tent. Better move fast if you’re keen, as there will only be 2,500 Dakars available worldwide. In the UK, it will cost £173,000, making it more expensive than even a 911 Turbo S – and just £5k less than an RS. However, as a non-GT product, we would have to assume that obtaining a build slot might be easier than for a GT3. Let’s find out – the Dakar can be ordered now and deliveries are expected in the spring… Navigation left Navigation right 1/44
