2023 Porsche 911 Dakar is Rad and Rally Prepped

Porsche has pulled the wraps off its most unique 911 model at the 2022 Los Angeles auto show.The 2023 911 Dakar is a lifted, off-road-capable variant of its famed 911 sports car, complete with a roof rack, all-wheel drive, all-terrain tires, and more rally-ready mods.Behind the rear axle is a 473-hp twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engine borrowed from the 911 Carrera GTS and the 911 Dakar is offered only with Porsche’s eight-speed PDK automatic transmission.

Porsche’s 911 sports car is an icon in its own right and one of the many things we like about it is its broad range of available models, from basic Carrera coupes all the way up to the fire-breathing GT3 RS. One thing the 911 lineup hasn’t had is perhaps something we never thought to ask for: an off-roader. That changes for 2023 with the introduction of this, the 911 Dakar, which is named for the Paris-Dakar rally race that began in 1978.

Although we caught a glimpse of it already via teaser images of it completing its testing at all corners of the earth, the 911 Dakar has now been shown in production form and we know all about its all-terrain modifications. The 911 Dakar is essentially a Carrera 4 GTS coupe modified for rally duty, and as such is equipped with a 473-hp twin-turbo flat-six and all-wheel drive.

Rally Mods

The suspension has been raised by 50 millimeters and features a standard lift system that can give it 30 millimeters more ground clearance when needed. Unlike off-road systems that allow for a higher level of adjustability for low-speed maneuvering, Porsche has set up the lift system to allow the 911 Dakar to ride at its maximum height at speeds up to 105 mph. Set the car to its new Off-Road driving mode, and it automatically raises itself to this height.

Lifted Porsches Old and New

Like other 911 models, the Dakar rides on a staggered wheel setup with 19-inch rollers in the front and 20 inchers in the back. What makes the Dakar unique is that wrapped around those aluminum wheels are Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus tires that have been specially developed to be more resistant to puncture thanks to a dual-carcass construction method.

Ok, so the paint might get scuffed surely, but the 911 Dakar is made for high-speed off-road endeavors. Porsche has added under-body protection to give the 911 Dakar the ability to blast down rutted roads and scale grassy knolls without terrorizing the car’s low-hanging mechanicals. Stainless steel skid plates and side protectors have been added and the car’s front overhang has been slightly shortened to provide a better approach angle.

Still a 911

Despite all the modifications, Porsche says the 911 Dakar is only 16 pounds heavier than a 911 Carrera 4 GTS with an automatic transmission. Weight-saving measures have been taken to keep the car’s mass in check, for example, the rear seats have been removed and lightweight window glass has been used.

The 911 Dakar’s engineers raided the 911 parts bin, installing the GT3’s carbon-fiber hood, the Carrera S brakes, and the cooling system from the Turbo S. Porsche says the 911 Dakar can hit 60 mph in 3.2 seconds—an estimate we think is a little conservative given that a rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera GTS with the PDK dashed to 60 in just 2.8 seconds during our testing.

The interior is spacious for two adults and nicely put together just like a normal 911. A pair of aggressively-bolstered sport seats are standard, buyers can opt for more comfortable standard 911 seats if they wish. An exterior livery package that pays tribute to the 1984 Paris-Dakar winning 911 is optional too and it looks rad with its Fuchs-style white wheels, racing stripes, and racing number decal.

Additionally, the 911 Dakar can be ordered with a cool roof-mounted cargo basket that features floodlights integrated into the leading edge. If you want to camp atop the 911 Dakar, Porsche says their rooftop tent will also fit.

The 911 Dakar’s starting price is a lofty $223,450, but we expect that won’t deter moneyed Porsche buyers, especially when the car is this unique. But if all this performance and rally-bred engineering appeals to you, call your Porsche dealer immediately. Only 2500 will be made, and Porsche is cagey about whether a second run of limited-edition Dakar models will be made available in future model years.

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