What is the 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar?

At the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show Porsche presented a new limited edition model called 911 Dakar. But what is the Porsche 911 Dakar? Let’s find out!

What is the 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar?

While Porsche sports cars are usually designed to be driven on winding country roads or on a race track, this car is something else. Inspired by Porsche’s victory in the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally, the 911 Dakar is just as comfortable off road as it is on road.

The first striking detail of the Porsche 911 Dakar is its ground clearance. The car is 50 mm higher than a 911 Carrera S with sports suspension. And if needed, it can be raised by a further 30 mm using its lift system. The four-corner lift system is not designed merely for driving over obstacles at low speeds, but is an integral part of the re-tuned suspension. The high level setting is available at speeds of up to 170 km/h (106 mph). If the driving speed tops that, the car automatically lowers back down to its normal level.

Special Off-Roading Features

Additional characteristic features of the 911 Dakar include the newly developed, fixed lightweight rear spoiler made of CFRP, and the CFRP front luggage compartment lid with striking-looking air vents taken from the 911 GT3. There are also standard-fit off-road details such as the red aluminium towing eyes 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 stone chips by stainless steel grilles. Carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, CFRP full bucket seats, omitting 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. So it is just about 10 kg heavier than the 911 Carrera 4 GTS with PDK.

Complementing the car’s high-speed off-road attributes are specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres (sized 245/45 R 19 at the front and 295/40 R 20 at the rear). The chunky tread pattern is nine millimetres deep and the reinforced sidewalls rest on two carcass plies, helping ensure the tyres are highly cut resistant.

3.0-Litre Turbocharged Engine

Dakar’s power source is a 3.0-litre biturbo six-cylinder engine. It delivers 480 PS (353 kW) and a maximum torque of 570 Nm, together with a compelling boxer sound. The car sprints from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds. The top speed is limited (due to the all-terrain tyres) to 240 km/h (149 mph).

Dakar comes as standard with an eight-speed PDK transmission and Porsche all-wheel drive system. Standard equipment also includes rear-axle steering, dynamic engine mounts from the 911 GT3, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) anti-roll stabilisation.

Rallye Design Package

Porsche 911 Dakar was available with an optional Rallye Design Package featuring a two-tone paint finish in White and Gentian Blue Metallic. With the Rallye Design Package, customers could choose an individual starting number between 1 and 999. The look of the 911 Dakar with Rallye Design Package recaptures the winning car from the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally and, in addition to decorative stripes in red and gold, features a “Roughroads” logo on the doors.

Image by Porsche