Daredevil

According to Ferry Porsche, the Porsche 911 is “the only vehicle you can drive from an African safari to Le Mans, then to the theater, and finally on the streets of New York.” Though he may not have meant it literally, it demonstrates just how versatile its creators thought the sports car of the century could be. And now you can also navigate gravel, sand, and rocks in a 911 – even at higher rally speeds when necessary.

Porsche developers have accomplished quite a feat with the 911 Dakar, which is a sports car and off-road vehicle in one. The vehicle first unveiled its features in the desert near the city of Springbok, South Africa. The all-wheel 911 was safely delivered by truck, before embarking on the virtually endless route. Porsche pulled all the stops for the first photo shoot – with fans that send dust whirling, specially trained test drivers, and a Cayenne with camera crane.

Frank-Steffen Walliser, Head of the 911 and 718 Model Lines at Porsche until autumn 2022, also played a role in ensuring the 911 Dakar feels right at home in the desert. As Head of Complete Vehicle Architecture and Characteristics, Walliser is responsible for the technical design of the future Porsche models of all series. “We managed to achieve the perfect balance,” the expert says, delighted. “With high performance, outstanding driving characteristics on the road, exceptional suspension comfort, and sensational off-road characteristics.”

This technical masterpiece wouldn’t have been possible without the targeted optimization of the 911 Carrera 4S (992), which, with the drive of the 911 Carrera GTS served as the technical basis. Developed specifically for off-road requirements and loose surfaces, the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and other chassis control systems allow you to choose not only between the usual driving modes, but now also between rally and off-road. The 911 Dakar’s all-terrain tires were specially developed in collaboration with Pirelli, and the ground clearance increased by 40 millimeters. And if that’s not enough, the vehicle body can be raised hydraulically another 30 millimeters with the four-corner lift.

“Porsche developers consistently pursued their objectives,” explains Achim Lamparter, manager of the 911 Chassis, “ensuring optimal vehicle performance everywhere and in all conditions.” Testing was conducted in extreme conditions before the desert premiere. According to Lamparter, they navigated “terrain the 911 had never seen before,” including bumpy rally courses in France, frozen lakes in Lapland, and the dunes of Dubai, throughout the extensive phase of development and test-driving. Experience gained through the development of Porsche’s SUV models came in handy.

The testing program also included driving in rally conditions. Former Porsche works driver, multiple Dakar Rally participant, and two-time Le Mans champion Romain Dumas was given the opportunity to race the 911 Dakar on the Châteaux de Lastours course in southern France. Measuring around 80 kilometers in length, the off-road course in the heart of the vineyards is popular with rally professionals, as it allows them to conduct durability tests in extreme conditions. “When the Porsche engineers told me they were coming here for testing, I said, ‘Are you sure? There’s nothing here but rocks and gravel,’” recalls Dumas. But according to Dumas, the 911 Dakar lived up to its name and was able to conquer rough terrain just as well as the race cars that are specially prepared for the world’s most demanding rally. “Before that, driving a sports car here was unimaginable,” he explains. “But not anymore.”

That wasn’t Porsche’s first foray into Dakar, which is why the name of the new model evokes memories of the company’s successful rally tradition, which began in 1965 with the 911 in the Rallye Monte-Carlo and continued later on with the East African Safari Rally. These activities culminated in the 1980s with the dramatic works campaigns in the Dakar Rally (see info box). Optional designs in the typical safari or Dakar look of earlier years are available for the new models to mark the 911’s upcoming 60th anniversary and recreate this tradition in the South African desert.

However, the 911 Dakar will not be used for professional rally campaigns. “In particular, we want to address Porsche collectors and enthusiasts who would like to own an extraordinary 911 and – more importantly – drive one,” explains Frank-Steffen Walliser. The special series is limited to 2,500 vehicles.

The developers have already managed to win over one special fan. During the test-drives, former rally world champion and Porsche brand ambassador Walter Röhrl summarized his impressions in a single sentence: “The car is simply addictive.”

There’s no higher form of praise.