The new Porsche 911 Dakar explores a new arena for production Porsche 911s: off-road performance. With its lifted suspension, off-road tires, and tweaks throughout, the 911 Dakar transforms one of the world’s most iconic sports cars into an all-rounder performance machine that delivers impressive driving characteristics, regardless of whether it’s on top of tarmac. However, it isn’t the first 911 with off-road capability, as it’s named after racing 911s that took on the legendary Dakar Rally. In between then and the release of the 911 Dakar, the aftermarket world has been responsible for many “Safari” Porsche 911s with their own off-road modifications.
On YouTube, the channel Kitted Company shows off both the new Porsche 911 Dakar and a Porsche 911 Safari in action, both embarking on an off-road adventure in Texas while being followed by a helicopter. As the cars drive through the wilderness, massive clouds of dust rise behind them as both show off off-road prowess which is especially impressive for a car like the Porsche 911. With limited visibility, features like roof-mounted lights come in handy, and the tires and suspension are especially appreciated in the muddy stretches and hills over which the 911 Dakar caught air for a brief moment. Unfortunately, the adventure ended with the 911 Dakar having a flat tire, but the escapade showed off both the historic off-road ability of the 911 with “Safari” mods, and the new off-road legacy that the 911 Dakar seeks to build.