Just revealed at the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show, we now get to take a look at the new Porsche 911 Dakar. An off-road sports car that is said to be just as comfortable on the highway.
This isn’t the first time Porsche has built an off-road sports car. This 911 Dakar is inspired by the car that took them to victory at the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rallye. Does this new model live up to that car? Today, we find out.
The Porsche 911 Dakar takes you back to the 1984 victory.
By default, the 911 Dakar looks like a rugged Camera with a roof rack and lifted suspension. Though, it is slightly heavier than the Carrera 4 GTS coupé. Weighing in at 1 605 kg. Optionally, buyers could have it come with the tribute-paying Rallye Design Package that gives it the same colours and decals that the Dakar winner sported.
Naturally, the new Porsche has a fixed lightweight rear spoiler fashioned from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic but it also comes with a front luggage compartment lid. The really different storage option is the roof rack. This doesn’t come by default but buyers who choose it can store up to 42 kg of their off-road suppliers up there and connect lights to a 12V outlet for extra nighttime visibility.
To tackle the sand and gravel the 911 Dakar was built for, Porsche is equipping the model with specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres. These cut-resistant tyres have a 9 mm deep tread pattern and reinforced sidewalls. Buyers can optionally get Pirelli P Zero summer and winter tyres.
Inside the cabin are two bucket seats and Race-Tex surfaces which are finished with Shade Green stitching. For those serious about the 911 Dakar out for off-road racing. They would want to take the optional Rallye Sport Package which adds a roll-over bar, 6-point seat belts and a fire extinguisher.
All the off-road tech you need for loose terrain.
It’s the same twin-turbo 3.0-litre, flat-6 petrol engine that’s in the 911 Carrera 4 GTS coupé powering all four wheels of the 911 Dakar. This gives the car up to 353 kW and 570 Nm. Porsche claims that the 911 Dakar will be able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds.
All of that is not so different from the Carrera, but where the Dakar stands out is its off-road capability.
Starting with drive modes. There are two additional options for off-roading adventures. The Rallye mode is designed for loose and uneven surfaces. At the same time, the Off-Road mode activates the high clearance suspension option. That extra ground clearance is 50 mm more than the 911 Carrera but can extend up to 30 mm more when in Off-Road mode.
A new Rallye Launch Control system claims to allow impressive acceleration on loose surfaces and will allow 20% wheel slippage. More off-road features include 911 GT3 engine mounts, anti-roll stabilisation, red aluminium towing lugs, widened wheel wells and stainless-steel protective elements around the 911 Dakar.
