2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

Following his victory of the 1983 Paris-Dakar Rally in a works Mercedes 280 G, Belgian racing driver and Porsche stalwart Jacky Ickx was able to convince Porsche that they should enter the event for the following year. Coinciding with the development of the Group B-destined 959, Porsche decided that a four wheel drive 911 could provide insight as a functional prototype. With backing from Rothmans, they committed to a three year run in the Paris-Dakar race: 1984,1985, and 1986. On January 1st, 1984, the rally began, and the three Porsches set out with just two MAN trucks as aid vehicles. Twenty days later, the Porsche 953 driven by Rene Metge crossed the finish line and solidified itself as the overall winner of the 1984 Paris-Dakar rally.

Nearly  40 years after the development of the first 911 Carrera 4x4 Paris-Dakar, Porsche released a 911 to pay homage to the winner of the 1984 Paris-Dakar rally. The 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar was based on the 911 Carrera 4 GTS, and it shares similarities such as the 473-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six and the stellar all wheel drive system with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and Porsche Traction Management. Additional GTS options such as rear-wheel steering and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control are standard on the Dakar, but aside from that, the similarities stop there. Like the original, the new Dakar features an increase in static ride height and a 1.2-inch suspension lift, bringing maximum ground clearance to a total of 7.5 inches. Both the front and rear overhangs have been redesigned, and indefinite lift mechanisms have been added to the front and rear to maintain a raised posture while driving. Bespoke Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires have been factory equipped to wheels that measure an inch smaller than the GTS wheels, with the knobby tread and taller sidewall standing up to anything you have to throw at them.

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