In 2012, Porsche unveiled its one-off 911 Vision Safari concept — a one-of-one off-roader based on the 991 platform. The incredibly warm reception that the concept received would ultimately prompt the Stuttgart firm to slowly begin developing a limited edition 911 off-roader production model. And after nearly a decade in development, we’re now being treated to the first-ever images of what Porsche has christened the 911 Dakar.
Boasting a name that pays homage to Porsche’s 1984 Dakar-winning 911, this new go-anywhere 911 variant builds on Porsche’s off-road racing legacy. Not only has this 992-gen model been gifted a lift kit, crash protection, a roof rack, and off-road wheels and tires, but the 911 Dakar has also seen much of the rest of the vehicle optimized specifically for all-terrain driving, all the way down to the brake’s ABS which has been tuned for use on gravel. While additional details are scant, we also anticipate Porsche bestowing the 911 Dakar with a more advanced version of its all-wheel drive system.
To say Porsche has been putting the 911 Dakar through its paces would be a massive understatement, as the forthcoming model has already racked up well over 300,000 miles of field testing — including 6,000 miles in a variety of grueling off-road conditions, from dirt to snow to sand. We also imagine that the 911 Dakar will benefit from lessons learned in Porsche’s recent project in which the company sent a pair of modified 911 off-roaders up to the top of Ojos del Salado, Chile — the highest volcano in the world.
Though pricing, availability, or a release date have yet to be revealed, Porsche has announced that its 911 Dakar model will make its official public debut next week at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 16 — at which time we expect the company to release markedly more info on the new 911-based off-roader.
