2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Pictures, Photos, and Images
Porsche factory builds an off-roading 911.
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Introducing the new 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar; an SUV-influenced 911. Equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), a lifted suspension, stainless steel underbody protection, an available roof rack, and even an optional roof tent, the 911 Dakar is an overlanding sports car that takes a trend to the extreme.
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What is a Porsche 911 Dakar?
In 1984, Porsche claimed victory in the Paris-Dakar Rally, racing a 911 equipped for the first time with an AWD system. Known as the 911 Carrera 3.2 4x4 Paris-Dakar (953), that rally champion is the inspiration for the 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Specs
Porsche fortifies the 911 Dakar with a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine making 473 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The automaker says the Dakar accelerates to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and achieves a top speed of 149 mph on its optional summer performance tires. Additional mechanical highlights include an 8-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission, rear-axle steering, and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC).
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Suspension
Porsche equips the 911 Dakar with a sport suspension, but adds almost 2 inches in ride height compared with the 911 Carrera. A standard suspension lift system can raise the 911 Dakar nearly another 1.2 inches, and Porsche says this High Level setting is available at speeds up to 105 mph. Above that velocity, the 911 Dakar settles down to its standard ride height.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Tires
The Porsche 911 Dakar has lightweight, forged aluminum wheels and specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires. The tires measure 245/45ZR19 in front and 295/40ZR20 in the rear, and feature a 9mm tread depth. Pirelli P Zero summer performance and snow tires are also available, and all three tire selections employ a dual-carcass design to resist sidewall damage.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Driving Modes
The 911 Dakar’s Sport Chrono Package adds two new driving modes: Rallye and Off-Road. Off-Road mode maximizes traction in sand and on rough, rocky terrain, and automatically engages the High Level suspension setting. Rallye mode biases power to the rear axle for driving on gravel roads, muddy trails, and wet grass. A Rallye Launch Control mode allows some wheelspin to maximize off-pavement acceleration.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Validation Testing
Porsche says the 911 Dakar development team put 300,000 miles on test vehicles with more than 6,000 miles of off-roading. The automaker validated the car on its Weissach, Germany off-road proving grounds; at the Chateau de Lastours test track in France; on the frozen lakes of Arjeplog, Sweden; in the sweltering dunes of Dubai and Morocco; and across the punishing roads of the Sahara desert.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Design
Porsche constructs the 911 Dakar’s hood and fixed rear spoiler of CFRP (carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic), and the hood includes large air extraction openings. In addition, Porsche adds red, forged-aluminum front and rear recovery hooks, stainless steel protective exterior trim, and flared wheel arches and rocker panels.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Interior
Inside, the 911 Dakar has full bucket seats with CFRP shells, and Porsche deletes the rear seat and installs lightweight glass to reduce the car’s curb weight. You’ll also find a GT Sport steering wheel, Race-Tex upholstery, brushed aluminum trim, a limited-edition plaque, and Shade Green stitching that matches an exclusive 911 Dakar exterior paint color. Shark Blue detailing and Ceramica trim are exclusive to the optional Rallye Design package.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Options
Porsche offers numerous Tequipment accessories for the 911 Dakar. For example, you can get an aluminum roof basket with four LED auxiliary lights that holds 88 pounds of gear. Load it up with the available water-resistant duffel bag, 2.2-gallon fuel jug, 3.3-gallon water jug, recovery boards, and a folding spade with an ax and a saw. A roof tent is also available.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Rallye Design Package
Another option is the Rallye Design Package styled after the ’84 Paris-Dakar Rally winner. It features two-tone White and Gentian Blue Metallic paint, white wheels, and red and gold stripes. In addition, customers designate any start number between 0 and 999 for the doors.
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2023 Porsche 911 Dakar Price and Release Date
Porsche will make 2,500 examples of the 911 Dakar, and they’re available in all of Porsche’s global markets. In the U.S., the base price is
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Christian WardlawChris says his first word was "car." For as long as he can remember, he's been obsessed with them. The design. The engineering. The performance. And the purpose. He is a car enthusiast who loves to drive, but is most passionate about the cars, trucks, and SUVs that people actually buy. He began his career as the editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s, and for more than 30 years has created automotive content for CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, the New York Daily News, and others. Chris owns Speedy Daddy Media, has been contributing to Capital One Auto Navigator since 2019, and lives in California with his wife, kids, dog, and 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata.
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