Porsche reveals 911 Dakar in LA
Inspired by the Paris-Dakar winning model from 1984, this new limited-run Porsche 911 is rugged and pared back
Porsche has delved into its archives and relaunched a fan favourite with the 911 Dakar edition. Revealed during the LA auto show on 17 November (where CDN is hosting its annual LA forum), the model will be limited to just 2,500 units. It is yet another example of a car brand reaching into its back catalogue to channel retro design.
Built less for manicured tracks and more for gravel roads, sand dunes and puddles, the Dakar features higher ground clearance and SUV-style trim around the sills and wheel arches, with protective stainless steel plates at the front and rear ends.
The car can be raised electronically for high-speed off-road jaunts, and chunky all-terrain tyres (which are taller and wider at the rear) come as standard. These were specially designed for the 911 Dakar with a 9mm-deep tread, reinforced sidewalls and twin-carcass plies. In effect, they’re much tougher than normal tyres.
Frank Moser, who is in charge of the 911 product line, says the Dakar 911 “is just as comfortable off road as it is on the highway.”
In terms of styling, the fundamental bodyshape remains untouched but there are a number of other additions that separate it from its track-focussed siblings. Most notable is the classic Paris Dakar livery in white/Gentian blue, inspired by the first winning 911 in 1984 (offered as part of the Rallye Design Package).
Then there is the optional roof basket – and roof tent – which is designed to carry fuel and water canisters, shovels and traction boards. Red towing lugs come as standard – described by Moser as “refined yet functionally important” – and stainless steel grilles protect the side air intakes from rocks and debris. (Are we talking about a modified Suzuki Jimny here or a sports car?) A fixed rear wing (made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) adorns the rear.
Inside there are full bucket seats up front, but the rear bench has been removed entirely for weight reduction and improved handling. (The roof rack should be ample storage for luggage, we’re sure.) A roll cage adds stability and structural safety. It is spartan but entirely fitting with the overall aesthetic.
“Few 911 models have shaped the Porsche legend as much as the 911 Paris-Dakar has,” says Porsche board member Detlev von Platen. “It showcases the broad range a 911 can offer, proving that it is not just on the racetrack that this icon feels at home.”