Porsche is celebrating an extraordinary world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show: the new Porsche 911 Dakar is just as comfortable off-road as it is on the highway.
Limited to just 2,500 examples, this exclusive model doesn’t just demonstrate the all-but-limitless possibilities of the Porsche 911 concept: it also evokes the first overall victory by Porsche in the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally. This momentous win also marked the birth of all-wheel drive in the Porsche 911. This is why the new 911 Dakar is also offered with an optional Rallye Design Package, reminiscent of that iconic winning car.
The first striking detail of the Porsche 911 Dakar is its ground clearance, which is approximately 50 mm higher than that of a 911 Carrera with sports suspension. And the standard lift system can raise the front and rear ends an additional 30 mm.
Its ground clearance and ramp angle rival those of conventional SUVs. The lift system is not designed merely for driving over obstacles at low speeds, but is rather an integral part of the re-tuned suspension. The ‘high level’ setting is available for ambitious off-road adventures.
Complementing the car’s sporty off-road attributes are specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres (245/45 ZR 19 at the front and 295/40 ZR 20 at the rear). The chunky tread pattern is 9 mm deep and the reinforced sidewalls and the threads consist of two carcass plies. All this makes the tyres of the Porsche 911 Dakar ideal even for challenging terrain and they are highly cut-resistant. Summer tyres are available as an option, also with two carcass plies in addition to the standard all-terrain tyres.
The three-litre biturbo six-cylinder with 480 PS (353 kW) and a maximum torque of 570 Newton metres delivers superior performance with a compelling boxer sound. The new sports car is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds.
As standard, the engine comes with an eight-speed PDK and Porsche all-wheel drive. The standard equipment also includes rear-axle steering, the engine mounts from the 911 GT3, and PDCC anti-roll stabilisation. The interplay of all the components results in the 911 Dakar being just as dynamic on sand and loose surfaces as it is on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Its maximum off-road performance is also thanks in part to two new driving modes, which are selectable via the rotary switch on the steering wheel. Rallye mode is ideal for loose, uneven surfaces and features rear-focused all-wheel drive. In Off-road mode the high clearance is activated automatically. This mode is designed for maximum traction on difficult terrain and on sand. Both of the new driving modes also feature the new Rallye Launch Control, which enables impressive acceleration on loose surfaces.
Additional characteristic features of the 911 Dakar include the newly developed, fixed lightweight rear spoiler made of CarbonFibre-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), and the CFRP front luggage compartment lid with striking air outlets taken from the 911 GT3. There are also standard off-road details such as the red aluminium towing lugs at the front and back, the widened wheel wells and sills and the stainless steel protective elements on the front, rear and side sills. The side air intakes on the redesigned front end are also protected against flying rocks by stainless steel grilles.
The roof of the Porsche 911 Dakar features a visible 12-volt power outlet for the headlights of the optional roof rack that is available via Porsche Tequipment. With a capacity of 42 kilograms, the rack can accommodate rallying accessories such as fuel and water canisters, folding shovels and traction boards without any problems. A roof tent is also available for the 911 Dakar via Porsche Tequipment.
In the interior, the 911 Dakar underscores its sporting ambitions with standard full bucket seats and the omission of the rear seats. Lightweight glass and a lightweight battery reduce its weight further, enabling the Porsche 911 Dakar to weigh in at just 1,605 kg – a mere 10 kg heavier than the 911 Carrera 4 GTS with PDK.
A defining feature of the Dakar interior is the standard Race-Tex surfaces with decorative stitching in Shade Green. Exclusively for the 911 Dakar is the optional exterior finish in Shade Green metallic.
The foundation of the optional Rallye Design Package is the two-tone finish in White/Gentian Blue Metallic. This combination of two-tone paintwork and wrapping on a standard model is a first for Porsche. On the side of the vehicle, the customer can choose an individual race number between 1 and 999.
In addition to decorative stripes in red and gold, the 911 Dakar with the Rallye Design Package – the look of which reprises the winning car from the 1984 Rally Dakar – also features a ‘Roughroads’ logo on the doors. The term is a registered trademark and reflects the concept of the 911 Dakar and its suitability for driving off-road. Optionally available is the Rallye Sport Package with roll cage, six-point seat belts and fire extinguisher.
Customers of the 911 Dakar can exclusively order the Porsche Design Chronograph 1 ‒ 911 Dakar or the Chronograph 1 ‒ 911 Dakar Rallye Design Edition to go with their car. For the first time, the housing is made of particularly scratch-resistant and light titanium carbide.
In Australia, the 911 Dakar will be additionally equipped only with the tyre sealant and electric air compressor as standard due to its high global standard equipment load.
The new Porsche 911 Dakar is available for order now and starts at $491,400**. The Rallye Design Package costs $54,730**. Australian deliveries are expected to commence from the second half of 2023.
Further information, as well as film and photo material, is available in the Porsche Newsroom: newsroom.porsche.com.au.
* PS (PferdeStärke, German for horsepower) is the standard unit used in the European Union to measure the power output of a motor in ‘metric horsepower’.
** Price is the recommended retail price before statutory on-road and dealer delivery charges, which vary from State to State and between dealers. Driveaway pricing available via the Porsche Car Configurator at Porsche.com.au. All prices shown are based on a standard specification vehicle with no optional equipment (unless otherwise selected). Final prices may vary from dealer to dealer and according to individual circumstances. Prices are subject to change without notice. Please contact an Official Porsche Centre to obtain specific information about prices, vehicles and features.
Two-time world rally champion Walter Röhrl has been under contract with Porsche since 1993, initially as a test and development driver and now as a brand ambassador. The 75-year-old talks about the ‘Rallye’ driving mode, the advantages of all-wheel drive and his wife’s thoughts on the new 911 Dakar.
Porsche offers three exclusive wraps with rally designs of the 1970s for the 911 Dakar.
At the Los Angeles Auto Show on 16 November 2022 (17 November, 04:00 CET), Porsche will unveil a very special variant of the iconic 911: the new 911 Dakar. It will be the first two-door sports car to offer outstanding off-road capabilities.
The ROADS by Porsche app has been around since 2019. It has now been completely revised.
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^ The published electricity consumption (kWh per 100 km), charging times (hours/minutes) and kilometre (km) range are estimates determined in accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) – see www.porsche.com/wltp. The WLTP is the test procedure used in the European Union and does not apply in Australia, where the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) remains the appropriate test standard under ADR 81/02. Actual figures will vary as they are dependent on many factors including driving style, road and traffic conditions, weather conditions, a vehicle’s features, equipment, accessories, condition, load and use. Extra features and accessories (attachments, tyre formats, etc.) can change relevant vehicle parameters such as weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics can also affect the electricity consumption and performance values of a car. The published charging times are estimated using the vehicle’s charging equipment and European charging facilities, with the battery temperature under optimum conditions and the vehicle having an initial charge status of 5%. CO₂ emissions can also be generated at the power source when vehicles are being charged, unless 100% renewable energy is used. As Australian models have not been tested in accordance with the NEDC procedure, the published figures do not apply in Australia and must not be relied upon in making a decision as to whether to purchase a vehicle. Please contact an Official Porsche Centre to obtain more information.
* The published fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions figures are determined by Porsche AG laboratory testing in accordance with ADR 81/02 on test vehicles. Actual figures will depend on many factors, including without limitation: road and traffic conditions, fuel quality, environmental conditions, individual driving style, vehicle load, vehicle condition and use (including any additional equipment and/or accessories) and how the vehicle is driven. For hybrid or electric vehicles, CO₂ emissions can also be generated at the power source when vehicles are being recharged, unless 100% renewable energy is used. Generally, fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions will differ from the published figures in real world driving conditions. Published figures should only be used for the purpose of comparison between vehicles.
** All events on the revised calendar are subject to change. Both Porsche Cars Australia and Supercars will ensure that all events are compliant with appropriate State, Territory and Federal regulations as they continue to be updated in response to COVID-19 and otherwise. The stringent guidelines developed by Supercars for each event are based on expert medical advice and the advice of their Australian Government partners (as well as Motorsport Australia) to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all teams, drivers and officials.
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