Porsche Philippines recently announced the addition of an iconic car to their lineup with the unveiling of the Porsche 911 Dakar, a limited-edition sports car inspired by Porsche's illustrious rally history. With only 2,500 examples available, this model is a nod to Porsche's first overall victory at the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally with the Rothmans 959, which introduced all-wheel drive to the Porsche 911 lineage.
The Porsche 911 Dakar uniquely combines the luxury and speed of a sports car with the rugged, all-terrain capabilities essential for off-road navigation. This model has been crafted to celebrate the fusion of classic design and cutting-edge technology, particularly evident in the optional Rallye Design Package that mirrors the aesthetics of the 1984 rally winner. The 911 Dakar on exhibit at the launch featured the Rothmans deep blue with iconic red and gold pinstripes.
The 911 Dakar stands burly and proud with its increased ground clearance, elevated by 50 millimeters over the standard Carrera's sports suspension. It features a lift system that raises the car by an additional 30 millimeters, ensuring it maneuvers over challenging terrains as effortlessly as it cruises on highways. This capability allows the car to engage in high-speed off-road adventures with a 'high level' setting effective up to 170 km/h.
The 911 Dakar is equipped with proprietary Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires, optimized for diverse surfaces with a nine-millimeter deep tread and robust sidewalls reinforced with two carcass plies, ensuring durability and resistance against cuts.
Power and performance come as standard, as it’s a 911 after all. It features a 3.0-liter twin turbo flat six, pushing out 480 PS and 570 Newton meters of twist. Acceleration to 100 km/h from standstill takes just 3.4 seconds and will push all the way to a top speed-limited 240 km/h. The 911 Dakar comes with an eight-speed PDK, rear-axle steering, and advanced anti-roll stabilization from the 911 GT3.
For tailored driving experiences, Porsche has incorporated two new modes into the 911 Dakar. The Rallye mode is designed for loose, uneven surfaces, optimizing a rear-focused all-wheel drive, while the Off-road mode engages automatically to elevate the clearance, maximizing traction on challenging terrains like sand. There’s also a Rallye Launch Control feature which enhances acceleration and traction on loose surfaces by allowing a calculated 20 percent wheel slippage.
There’s a fixed lightweight rear spoiler made of CFRP, protective stainless steel elements, and enlarged air intakes safeguarded by stainless steel grilles. The versatility extends to its roof, fitted with a 12-volt power outlet to support the headlights for optional equipment like a roof rack or tent, making it the quickest overlanding rigs available.
Inside, the 911 Dakar remains true to Porsche’s sports car ethos with two full bucket seats and zero rear passenger space for weight reduction. Lightweight glass and a lightweight battery contribute to its lean build, which only slightly exceeds the weight of the 911 Carrera 4 GTS with PDK. The interiors are adorned with Race-Tex surfaces featuring Shade Green stitching, with additional customization options available through the Rallye Sport Package, which includes safety enhancements like a roll-over bar and six-point seat belts.
The 911 Dakar comes with an 8-figure price tag, but for specifics, visit Porsche Philippines dealers to get a quote.