2024 Porsche 911 (992) Dakar



The idea of a rally-spec 911 might seem ridiculous to some, but Porsche has form here, with 911s, 959s and various other Porsche models competing in rally events. In fact, a Porsche 911 even competed in the Dakar rally, way back in the 1980s. So there is some justification for launching a new, off-road version of the 911, based on the existing Carrera 4S. Unsurprisingly, it's called the Dakar, and it's possibly the most unhinged 911 yet, but can it also be the most appealing model in the sports coupe range?

Test Car Specifications

Model: 2024 Porsche 911 Dakar
Price: £179,025 as tested
Engine: 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six petrol
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 480hp
Torque: 570Nm
Emissions: 256g/km
Economy: 25.0mpg
0-62mph: 3.4 seconds
Top speed: 149mph
Boot space: 132 litres

Styling

The Dakar is based on a 911 Carrera 4 GTS, but it doesn't look much like one. Yes, it has the basic 911 shape, but it's wrapped in off-road body cladding and the suspension raises it high above the road surface, while all-terrain tyres are wrapped around the alloy wheels. Red towing eyes protrude from the bumpers, so you can pull the car out if you get stuck off-road, and there's a fleet of options allowing customers to personalise their Dakar with goodies including a roof tent or a cycle carrier. And, of course, you can choose a retro rally-inspired livery, as opposed to the relatively plain colour scheme of our test car.

Interior

Although the Dakar's exterior is quite distinctive, the cabin is less of a departure from the standard 992.1-generation 911. Like every other variant, it comes with a hybrid instrument cluster with an analogue rev counter flanked by digital displays, as well as a touchscreen infotainment system and a two-zone climate control system on the centre console. With a fairly plain black interior and the same high-quality dash as any other 911, there's little to suggest this is anything other than a normal 911.

Except, of course, if you look at the seats. There are no rear seats whatsoever, and the Dakar comes with racing bucket seats as standard, while our test car was kitted out with a roll cage and a fire extinguisher, adding to the rally style. But it's still a luxury car, with tactile materials and a slick touchscreen, as well as all the technology you expect from a £170,000 sports car.

Practicality

Practicality has never been the 911's strong suit, and the Dakar doesn't do an awful lot to improve on the standard car's credentials. The lack of rear seats impacts the usability very slightly, although very few people could fit in there anyway, and the optional roll cage means you can barely even use the space as a parcel shelf. It also makes seeing through the rear window more difficult.

However, the Dakar has the same 132-litre luggage bay under the bonnet as any other 911, and though it sounds fairly small, it's more than enough to fit a weekend's luggage for two people. Assuming they can pack remotely lightly, and they use soft bags rather than solid suitcases.

Performance

At the back, the 911 Dakar has the same 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six engine as the 991.1-generation Carrera 4 GTS (as opposed to the more recent 992.2 with the T-Hybrid engine). That means there’s 480hp at the disposal of the driver’s right foot, and that heads to all four wheels via an eight-speed, double-clutch automatic gearbox. Even with the off-road tyres, that’s enough to get the Dakar from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 149mph.

Admittedly, that performance isn’t so sensational for a 911 – although it’s quick by anyone’s standards – but the Dakar is still very much a sports car. And because of the tyres, ground clearance and all-wheel-drive system, you can make use of that performance at any time that takes your fancy.

And when you do, you still get a lovely snarl from that flat-six engine, especially with the sports exhaust system. But the engine burns quite a lot of fuel in the process, and you’ll be lucky to get the 25mpg the official figures suggest the 911 will return. Use the throttle too enthusiastically and you certainly won’t get anywhere close, but self-restraint is hard when you have that performance and that engine note at your bidding.

Ride & Handling

Given the extreme nature of the Dakar's suspension and tyres, it won't come as a surprise to hear that they have a profound effect on the 911's ride and handling. Fortunately, the effect is largely not a negative one. Sure, the steering is a bit less direct thanks to the tyres, and there's a bit more body roll in corners, but the 911 handled so well to begin with that such a difference isn't very important. The Dakar is still fabulous on the road.

Partly because it's more comfortable and easier to live with than a standard 911. The ground clearance, which can be adjusted on the move thanks to a button on the dash, can be as large as that of a Nissan Qashqai, so there's no need to worry about speed bumps or anything like that. And the Dakar rides such things with consummate ease, soaking up the imperfections very ably, and proving much more supple than a Carrera GTS.

It's also pretty capable off-road, thanks in part to the aforementioned ground clearance and the all-wheel-drive system, which is unintrusive on the road but increases the traction available on loose, muddy or slippery surfaces.

Value

The Dakar is not a cheap thing. At more than £170,000 before you even think about options, it’s way more expensive than a GT3, let alone an all-wheel-drive Carrera. So logically speaking, it’s arguably better to buy a Carrera T and a Macan, rather than a Dakar. But who cares about logic and numbers? This is a Dakar – a limited-edition toy that’s surprisingly usable – and it’s relatively well equipped, too. Aside from all the off-road gubbins, it comes with satellite navigation, climate control and the hybrid instrument display, as well as all the other usual 911 goodies. It isn’t the most luxurious thing out there, it’s true, but it’s little more Spartan than a standard Carrera.

Verdict

Porsche could easily have ruined the 911 with the Dakar, but predictably, the engineers have got it bang on. The softness makes it more user-friendly day to day, and the extra height means you worry less about kerbs, bumpy fields and anything else you might encounter. It's also one of the more playful models in the 911 range, and it still has the 911's pedigree and DNA, which makes it a very special thing. Perhaps more to the point, for a brand that isn't known for its sense of humour, a smile-a-minute sports car like this is really refreshing. We'd have one in a heartbeat.