At the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show, Porsche presented the new Porsche 911 Dakar - a sports car that's equally at home off-road as it is on it. The exclusive model, limited to 2,500 examples, shows that there are hardly any limits to the concept of the Porsche 911. The 911 Dakar pays homage the first overall victory by Porsche in the Paris-Dakar Rally of 1984, an event that also marked the birth of all-wheel drive in the Porsche 911. One thing that immediately stands out is the ground clearance of the 911 Dakar: It is 50 millimetres higher than that of a 911 Carrera equipped with sports suspension. In addition, the standard lift system can raise the ride height by a further 30 mm. Its ground clearance and ramp angle rival those of conventional SUVs. The lift system is not designed merely for driving over obstacles at low speeds, but rather it is an integral part of the re-tuned suspension. The 'high level' setting is available for off-road adventures at speeds of up to 170 km/h. Above that speed, the car automatically lowers back down to its normal level.
The 3.0-litre biturbo six-cylinder engine with 353 kW (480 PS) and a maximum torque of 570 Newton metres delivers superior performance with a compelling boxer sound. It propels the sports car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 240 km/h (limited by the all-terrain tyres). Power transmission in the all-wheel drive sports car is provided by an eight-speed PDK. The standard equipment also includes rear-axle steering, the exceptionally performance-oriented engine mounts from the 911 GT3 and the PDCC anti-roll stabilisation. Maximum off-road performance is also ensured by two new driving modes (in addition to Normal, Wet and Sport), which can be selected using the rotary dial on the steering wheel. Rallye mode is ideal for loose surfaces and features rear-biased all-wheel drive. Offroad mode automatically operates at a raised ride height and with a significantly stiffer differential locking effect. The focus is directed at maximum traction in dunes or on hard, uneven ground. Both of the new driving modes also feature the new Rallye Launch Control, which allows wheel slippage of around 20 per cent.
In the end, Metge took overall victory. Ickx doggedly moved up from 139th place to take sixth, while Roland Kussmaul came in an impressive 26th - securing first place in the team classification. After this massive success, Porsche entered the Paris-Dakar again the following year, this time with the first 959. According to the Group B rules, at least 200 series-production cars had to be sold for homologation - a condition Porsche had fulfilled with confirmed orders shortly after the IAA in 1983. Porsche therefore entered a rally with the precursor of a Group B car for the first time. Alas, the 400 PS biturbo engines were not finished in time. So, in 1985, it was not three 911s with 959 components at the start as in the year before, but three 959 cars with 911 engines. Due to the vagaries of the Paris-Dakar, none managed to make it to the finish line, so they tried again the next year - and won. Again it was René Metge/Dominique Lemoyne who secured the victory for Porsche. Ickx/Brasseur took second on this occasion, while Kussmaul and his co-driver took sixth.
Source: www.porsche.com
0 Comments