The off-road Porsche 911 that proved it was never just a road car
How the 911 Dakar was born from a legacy of iconic off-road 911 models
Porsche 911 Dakar with Rallye Design Package driving in desert sand_hero desktop
An off-road Porsche 911 might sound like a contradiction. But Porsche has been proving otherwise for far longer than many people realise
Fast facts: can a Porsche 911 go off-road?Yes. Porsche has proved the off-road capability of the 911 for more than 50 years, from early rally success at the East African Safari Rally to victory in the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally that helped pioneer all-wheel drive in Porsche sportscars and later inspired the limited-series Porsche 911 Dakar.• The Porsche 911 was used in rallying soon after its launch in the 1960s • Specially prepared 911 models competed successfully in the East African Safari Rally in the 1970s • The Porsche 953, based on the 911 Carrera 3.2, won the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally • The Porsche 959 brought all-wheel drive to a road-going hypercar, inspired by the 953 • Porsche 959 prototypes were then developed to take on the Paris-Dakar, winning the 1986 event • The 911 Dakar brought this rally-inspired history to a modern production 911If you could expand the capabilities of the world’s most iconic sportscar to make it just as thrilling and successful off the road as on it, why wouldn’t you? And yet, re-engineering a car known for its purity of purpose on asphalt to make it a winner on more challenging surfaces like gravel, sand or snow might seem like you’d need to make compromises. Wrong, even.However, for more than 50 years, a succession of 911 variants have demonstrated that this already supremely versatile sportscar has a broad range of talents. And for definitive proof of that you need look no further than the Porsche 911 Dakar.
Porsche 911 Dakar with Rallye Design Package Porsche Experience Center Leipzig
Inspired by off-road legends of the past: the 911 Dakar was unveiled in 2022 in a limited run of 2500 Photo: Porsche
Off-road 911 models: how it all startedWhen the 911 Dakar was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2022, Porsche revealed a model optimised for a variety of terrain with the performance and precision that we’ve come to expect from a 911. The engineers and designers behind it were inspired by the Porsche works cars that competed successfully in the punishing Paris-Dakar Rally (today known as the Dakar Rally) during the 1980s.The 911 Dakar wasn’t created on a whim – in fact, its rallying heritage goes back a long way. Just a few months after the 911 first went into full production in 1964, an almost stock example finished fifth in the Rallye Monte Carlo in January 1965, driven by Herbert Linge and Peter Falk. Then, in 1968, a 911 won the same event outright – and repeated the feat in 1969 and 1970. The following year, Porsche entered a number of specially prepared 911 race cars in the 1971 East African Safari Rally, a gruelling 5,000 km-long (just over 3,100 miles) endurance event held across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Equipped with features such as a dramatically raised ride height, roll bar, metal bumper protectors, skid plates and auxiliary lighting, the highest-placed 911 finished an impressive fifth. Similarly modified 911 models were entered in 1974 and 1978, achieving second place on each occasion.
Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 953 winner of the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally
In 1984, a modified 911 (G-Series) – the 953 – was developed to compete in the Paris-Dakar Rally. Its co-drivers, René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne, promptly won the famous rally event for Porsche at its very first attempt Photo: Porsche
How the Paris-Dakar Rally race cars inspired the modern-day 911 DakarThese successes proved that the 911 could be more than just an exceptional road and track car. Here was proof that its inherent agility and durability could also give it an edge when competing in some of the most demanding conditions imaginable. Consequently, Porsche engineers continued to push the boundaries of what it was capable of.It was this motivation that led to the development of what’s considered the true ancestor of the modern-day 911 Dakar production car – a heavily modified 911 (G-Series) developed specifically for the 1984 Paris-Dakar and given the internal codename 953. As well as raised suspension and all the necessary additions for this notoriously difficult event, it boasted another significant development in the form of all-wheel drive – fitted to a 911 for the first time. Thanks to its rigorous engineering and the robustness of the 911, the 953 won the Paris-Dakar at its first attempt, co-driven by René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne. To this day, it’s considered one of the most significant victories in the long history of Porsche motorsport.• The incredible story of the 911 that won the Paris-Dakar Rally
Porsche 959 driven by former World Rally Champion Walter Röhrl cornering on road
Launched in 1986, the 959 is a now legendary Porsche hypercar based on the 911 platform. The first series-production Porsche with all-wheel drive, it became the pioneer for all 911 sportscars using this technology ever since Photo: Porsche
The Porsche 959: the pioneer for every all-wheel drive 911Lessons learnt from the successful 953 would go on to inform the creation of the 959, the all-wheel drive hypercar. Derived from the 911, it would become one of the most advanced road cars of its era. Prototype versions were then built for the Paris-Dakar Rally featuring desert-ready suspension and body upgrades. In 1986 these cars dominated the event, grabbing the top two places on the podium as well as a sixth-place finish. Just 292 road-going, series-production 959 examples were ever built, but this forward-looking model pioneered the use of all-wheel drive in 911 models that continues to this day.• Read more about the Porsche 959 • Download a Porsche 959 wallpaper • Restoring a classic Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar rally car • Ex-F1 star Nick Heidfeld’s restored Porsche 959 SInspired by Porsche off-road history: the 911 DakarWith such an illustrious history, it’s no surprise that nearly four decades later Porsche decided to revisit the concept of an off-road 911 model. By creating the 911 Dakar, it allowed the 2,500 customers of this exclusive model a chance to experience the thrill of an all-terrain sportscar for themselves. Highlights of the 911 Dakar include re-tuned suspension, a 50mm higher ride height than a 911 Carrera with sports suspension, as well as a standard lift system for an extra 30mm boost for trickier surfaces. Stainless steel scuff plates at the front, rear and sides help protect the bodywork, while there are distinctive – and functional – red aluminium towing eyes at the front and rear.
Porsche 911 Dakar in Shade Green Metallic (M6F) with roof cage with auxiliary headlights Monument Valley, Utah
Upgraded suspension, dramatically enhanced ride height and distinctive and highly functional bodywork and accessories are just some of the highlights of the 911 Dakar, a car steeped in the history of 911-based off-road models Photo: Porsche
Carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) feature in the car’s fixed rear spoiler, bonnet and bucket seats which, along with lightweight glass, help keep weight to a minimum. In fact, the 911 Dakar weighs just 10 kg (22 lbs) more than the 911 Carrera 4 GTS (type 992.1) with PDK transmission. Just like its motorsport forebears, tyre choice is particularly crucial when taking on challenging off-road surfaces. The 911 Dakar features Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres with reinforced sidewalls for authentic 911 handling whatever the surface. Meanwhile, additional Rallye and Offroad driving modes maximise control – and fun – in the rough. The 911 Dakar is the most recent chapter in a story that stretches back over decades. It’s yet another example of Porsche doing something that, on the surface, seems counter-intuitive but makes all the sense in the world. • A Namibia road trip in a 911 Dakar • What’s it like to drive a 911 Dakar on snow and ice? • Driving around the USA in a 911 Dakar • 911 Dakar vs Olympic ski champion • Download 911 Dakar wallpapers• 8 legendary Porsche 4x4 cars
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