By Lee Sibley
1 year ago
9 facts you won't know about the Dakar 911
9WERKS presents nine alternative facts about Porsche's new off-road 911 Dakar for 2023
Porsche has revealed the 911 Dakar at the 2023 LA Auto Show. We told you a few weeks ago a Dakar 911 was on the way after our spies saw a prototype in testing on the ‘Ring, and noticed the original Paris-Dakar winning Type 953 undergoing a light restoration at the Museum in September, in prep for the launch.
We'll let the rest of the internet regurgitate the same facts from Porsche's two-page press release, and will instead present you with nine facts on the Porsche 911 Dakar you won't have read or seen elsewhere…
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1) This is not a competition-spec 911
Porsche has many competition-spec 992s such as the GT3 Cup, GT3 R and outgoing RSR… but the Dakar 911 is not one of them. While those aforementioned cars are built solely for the purpose of competitive racing in specific FIA-approved series, the Dakar 911 is built purely for the joys of leisurely driving… off-road, of course.
2) It’s also not a Heritage Design Edition Model
Contrary to what many of us were expecting, this is not the third of four Heritage Design Edition models promised by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur by the end of 2023. Instead, we should think of the 911 Dakar as a 'GTS Plus' with refined abilities for off-road use. Up to 2,500 units of the 911 Dakar will be assembled on the main production line in Zuffenhausen.
3) Goodbye Rothmans… hello Roughroads
The optional Rally Design Package adds a splash of Gentian blue plus some red and gold stripes to the body in white… which looks strikingly like the original Rothmans livery which adorned Porsches during the 1980s Paris-Dakar. However, this being 2022, and advertising of cigarette brands being banned or, at best, frowned upon, the Rothmans text on the 992's door has been ditched in favour of a – strikingly similar – 'Roughroads' logo, which Porsche has taken the liberty to trademark.
4) Road tech retuned for rallying
Using the 992 C4 GTS as its base, the Dakar 911 has had its suspension system completely retuned for off-road use. Featuring longer travel suspension with heavily revised damper settings, the Dakar 911's suspension also features a four-corner lift system to raise the Dakar 911's height depending on driving style required.
Using the 992 C4 GTS as its base, the Dakar 911 has had its suspension system completely retuned for off-road use. Featuring longer travel suspension with heavily revised damper settings, the Dakar 911's suspension also features a four-corner lift system to raise the Dakar 911's height depending on driving style required.
5) Don't want the off-road tyres? Then don't have them!
If you like the look of the 911 Dakar but don't happen to live next door to the dunes, then worry no more. Pirelli P Zero summer and winter tyres are available as an option, should you wish to wrap the Dakar's 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels in those instead.
If you like the look of the 911 Dakar but don't happen to live next door to the dunes, then worry no more. Pirelli P Zero summer and winter tyres are available as an option, should you wish to wrap the Dakar's 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) wheels in those instead.
6) The 911 Dakar introduces two new driving modes
Although Sport Plus mode has been ditched here, Porsche has added two new driving modes selectable from the small rotary dial hanging off the steering wheel on top of Normal, Sport, and Wet Mode. Porsche says Rallye mode is ideal for loose gravel, while Offroad mode is for the most adventurous driving, which automatically activates the Dakar's extended ground clearance by 30mm (the car already sits 40mm higher than a 992 Carrera). A Rallye Launch Control will have you laughing your way into the dunes.
Although Sport Plus mode has been ditched here, Porsche has added two new driving modes selectable from the small rotary dial hanging off the steering wheel on top of Normal, Sport, and Wet Mode. Porsche says Rallye mode is ideal for loose gravel, while Offroad mode is for the most adventurous driving, which automatically activates the Dakar's extended ground clearance by 30mm (the car already sits 40mm higher than a 992 Carrera). A Rallye Launch Control will have you laughing your way into the dunes.
7) It weighs just 10kg more than a C4 GTS with PDK
An incredible stat, this one. Despite its fully height-adjustable suspension, plus extra stiffening and reinforcement, not to mention its chunky tyres, the Dakar 911 weighs an impressive 1,605kg – a mere 10kg more than its nearest fully tarmac-spec 992 in the C4 GTS with PDK. Perhaps just as poignantly, the Dakar 911 is a full 105kg lighter than a 911 Turbo!
8) It’s the 26th different 992 variant
That’s right, Porsche model line-up for the 992-generation just keeps expanding. The Dakar 911 is the 26th variety of 911 currently on sale, with more on the way. We think Porsche will hit 30 different 911 model variations by the end of the 992.1 era.
9) It costs as much as a 992 GT3 RS
Well, nearly, as the Dakar 911 will cost you £173,000 in the UK, just £5K short of Porsche’s Motorsport-made 992 GT3 RS fire breather. With the optional Rally Design Package (at £18K) plus other options, the Dakar 911 will comfortably tip you into the £200k+ price bracket, which still compares to a GT3 RS with Weissach Pack.
The GT3 RS will let you go fast, whereas the Dakar 992 will let you go anywhere. You decide how – and where – you’d like to get your Porsche thrills for circa £175k.