What makes the Dakar so Special Introduced in 2022, the Porsche 911 Dakar was designed to pay tribute to the iconic Paris-Dakar Rally of 1984. In this gruelling race, a modified all-wheel drive 911, called the 953 drove 11,000km across Sand Dunes and Desserts with René Metge and Dominique Lemoyne and ended up winning the race. The new Dakar is heavily inspired by the original 953. It sits 50 millimetres higher than a normal 911 thanks to specially designed Pirelli All-Terrain Scorpion Tyres, stainless steel protection underneath the car, a roof guard, and even brand-new rally and off-road settings that assist in blasting across dunes, snow, and even mud tracks at its 149mph top speed. However, its bonnet, suspension, seats, roll cage and even bumpers are all borrowed from the GT3, the most beloved 911 in the range. But most of the engineering, like the 3.0l twin-turbo flat-six engine, all-wheel drive system and 8-speed PDK gearbox is borrowed from the 992 Carrera GTS. Read More Porsche’s Last 911 (992) Dakar: Specialised in Sonderwunsch Customization The results are similar performance figures, with 473 horsepower and 420lb-ft of torque being produced and a near similar 0-62mph figure of 3.4 seconds. Clearly a very special car hence why the final production model was customised in a bespoke Livery and Interior by the Sonderwunsch division. A Department known for customising Porsche’s most special cars. Is going Hybrid the Correct Way forward Ordinarily, the normal recipe to turn a petrol-powered performance car into a hybrid is to pair its combustion engine with an electric motor. Now whilst this improves horsepower, many have criticised this approach as it substantially increases weight which ruins the handling and counteracts the balance. With the 911, though, Porsche have been clever. In the new 992.2 Carrera GTS t-hybrid, there is a 3.6l boxer turbo Flat-6 with an electrically driven turbocharger and an electric motor within the transmission. These are all supported by a compact high-voltage battery, which reduces turbo lag and aids responsiveness. In addition, power goes by 60 horsepower, (473 to 543), torque also increases (420 to 450 lb-ft) and weight only increases by 50kg. The result is 0-62mph being achieved in 3 seconds vs 3.4 and far superior power-to-weight ratio. All the while it maintains that delicacy and lightness that has made the 911, the king of sports cars. In many ways, the GTS T-hybrid is the best hybrid performance car out there by some margin. It improves on performance, efficiency and economy whilst not ruining the handling or weight like many others. Given Porsche wants to ensure the 911 keeps its spirit, this setup is undoubtedly the correct method moving forward. Read More New Porsche 911 Turbo is going Hybrid: While the base model Carrera S remains Purely Petrol Why the Next Dakar will use this Method As mentioned above the Dakar’s engineering was heavily based on the 992.1 Carrera GTS. So it only makes logical sense its successor will follow in its footsteps and also be heavily inspired by the new Carrera GTS-t Hybrid. This way, Porsche's wild Dune Bashing Racer also manages to squeeze in that little bit of efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. So it won’t cause rattlesnakes and badgers to choke on as many fumes as you blast through Nevada or the Cotswolds. Undoubtedly like before, Porsche will probably limit production on the new Dakar. Whether it will be 2,500 cars is yet to be seen, but undoubtedly at least one 992.2 Dakar will be put through the Sonderwunsch programme. Personally, I’m feeling a little mixed on whether Porsche should bring back the Dakar. Whilst undoubtedly it is one of the most desirable and unique 911s ever created, one must question whether being recreated in a new guise will somewhat taint the 992.1s reputation. Regardless though, this new Dakar will be as epic. But then would you expect anything less from Porsche. Source: Autocar
