PORSCHE has unveiled a road-going, rally raid model of its 911 sports activities coupe on the Los Angeles motor present that’s assured to draw a heap of consideration.
First Australian deliveries commenced subsequent yr, the eye-popping 911 Dakar priced from $491,400 plus on-road prices and choices.
If that worth was not sufficient to make sure exclusivity, Porsche can be limiting the manufacturing run of the Dakar to 2500 models for world consumption..
The Stuttgart producer has an extended historical past in off-road rallying, together with the arduous Dakar Rally, the place it has been profitable chalking up quite a few class wins – largely with 911 derivatives.
Overwhelmed to its official reveal by a couple of days by VW Group stablemate Lamborghini, which has simply unveiled the Huracan Sterrato off-road supercar, Porsche has lengthy been rumoured to be constructing its personal high-riding, ruggedised model of the 911 that’s as a lot at residence within the filth as it’s on the tarmac.
This uncommon off-roader is described by Porsche as being “simply as snug off-road as it’s on the freeway.”
“The automotive doesn’t simply display the chances of the Porsche 911 idea but in addition evokes the primary total victory by Porsche within the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally.”
However what many fans most likely need to know is how it might carry out in an actual rally.
That 1984 Dakar Rally win marked the beginning of all-wheel drive availability within the Porsche 911.
If an ordinary 911 Dakar is just not sufficient, for an additional $54,730, the mannequin is obtainable with an non-obligatory Rallye Design Bundle paying homage to that iconic profitable automotive together with a particular color scheme reminiscent of the times when cigarette promoting was acceptable.
Due to the excessive stance – the Dakar sits 50mm greater than a daily 911 Carerra with sports activities suspension owing to the bottom clearance calls for of off-road driving – this can be a hanging automobile given everyone seems to be accustomed to seeing low-slung 911s.
Including to its off-road functionality is the usual elevate system that may increase the entrance and rear ends a further 30mm.
This offers the Dakar floor clearance and ramp angles to rival these of standard SUVs, in accordance with Porsche.
Porsche additionally says the elevate system is just not merely designed for driving over obstacles at low speeds however is an integral a part of the re-tuned suspension.
As an illustration, the very best suspension setting is designed for “formidable’ off-road adventures.
Aiding traction off-road are specifically developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres (245/45 ZR 19 on the entrance and 295/40 ZR 20 on the rear) with chunky 9mm tread depth and bolstered sidewalls that includes two carcass plies.
Combining beefier suspension and cut-resistant tyres makes the Porsche 911 Dakar a robust proposition in powerful off-road driving. Though tackling a few of Australia’s gnarlier tracks in a half-million greenback automotive won’t be to everybody’s liking.
Highway oriented ‘summer time’ tyres that additionally function two carcass plies can be found as an choice.
Motivating the muscular beast is a model of Porsche’s 3.0-litre bi-turbo flat six-cylinder with 353kW of energy and most torque of 570Nm that Porsche assures us “delivers superior efficiency with a compelling boxer sound”.
The 911 Dakar is able to accelerating from relaxation to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, says Porsche and the engine is matched with an eight-speed PDK transmission plus, after all, all-wheel drive.
Customary gear contains rear-axle steering, engine mounts from the 911 GT3 and PDCC anti-roll stabilisation.
Porsche says the interaction of all these elements leads to the 911 Dakar being simply as dynamic on sand and free surfaces as it’s on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Off-road efficiency is maximised by way of a selection of two driving modes, that are selectable by means of a rotary change on the steering wheel.
“Rallye” mode is calibrated for free, uneven surfaces and options rear-focused all-wheel drive.
In “Off-road” mode the excessive clearance is activated robotically. This mode is designed for optimum traction on troublesome terrain and on sand.
Each these modes function Rallye Launch Management, which permits robust acceleration on free surfaces.
As an choice, the Dakar is offered with a cool trying roof basket or roof tent.
Then there’s a mounted light-weight rear spoiler in carbon-fibre bolstered plastic (CFRP) and the CFRP entrance baggage compartment lid with hanging air shops taken from the 911 GT3.
There are additionally commonplace off-road particulars together with purple aluminium towing lugs at the back and front, widened wheel wells and sills and chrome steel protecting parts on the entrance, rear and aspect sills.
Aspect air intakes on the redesigned entrance finish are additionally protected in opposition to flying rocks by chrome steel grilles.
The roof includes a seen 12-volt energy outlet for the auxiliary lights on the non-obligatory roof rack that has a capability of 42kg and might accommodate rallying equipment corresponding to gasoline and water canisters, folding shovels and traction boards.
Inside are sporty bucket entrance seats and the omission of the rear seats, whereas light-weight glass and a light-weight battery assist cut back weight to 1605 kg – or 10 kg heavier than the 911 Carrera 4 GTS with PDK.
Suede-like ‘Race-Tex’ surfaces with ornamental inexperienced stitching function inside whereas the automotive itself is one other shade of inexperienced known as Shade Inexperienced metallic.
Going even additional down the all-terrain rally raid street is the Rallye Sport Bundle with fireplace extinguisher, roll cage, six level harnesses that brings echoes of the 1984 Paris-Dakar profitable automobile.
Different choices and choice packages might be obtainable when the 911 Dakar arrives right here within the second half of 2023.
