Nobody asked for an off-road Porsche 911. Porsche built one anyway, and the result is one of the most entertaining and versatile sports cars available in Australia. The 911 Dakar takes a 911 and raises it by 50 mm, fits rally-spec all-terrain tyres, adds underbody protection, and gives it a driving mode specifically for loose surfaces. It turns out this is exactly the kind of 911 many people actually needed.
The Brief
The Porsche 911 Dakar’s name references Porsche’s victory in the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1984 with a 953 prototype, and again in 1986 with the 959 production car. The Dakar rally connection gives the concept historical legitimacy – this is not simply a styling exercise or a marketing gimmick. Porsche has genuinely raised a 911 and asked it to work in environments that most sports cars would not survive.
The result is a 992-generation 911 Carrera 4 GTS fitted with Porsche’s Rallye Design Package, which includes the raised chassis, all-terrain tyres, underbody protection, and the Rallye and Offroad driving modes. Production was limited to 2,500 units globally.
What Has Changed
The Dakar sits 50 mm higher than a standard 911 in Normal mode and can raise by a further 30 mm for low-speed off-road use, giving a maximum ride height 80 mm above the standard car. The suspension travel is increased to accommodate the additional height without compromising handling geometry.
The tyres are Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus items in 245/45 ZR19 front and 295/40 ZR21 rear – genuinely all-terrain rated and capable of driving on unsealed surfaces at speeds that would destroy standard performance tyres. Porsche rates the Dakar for driving at up to 270 km/h on tarmac with these tyres fitted.
Engine and Performance
The 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six produces 331 kW (450 hp) – the same as the Carrera GTS. The all-wheel drive system is standard. The 0-100 km/h time is 3.4 seconds on tarmac. Top speed on road is 240 km/h (limited for tyre compatibility).
On road, the Dakar feels close to the standard Carrera GTS with a slightly raised seating position and the awareness that you could, if needed, take it off the sealed road. On unsealed surfaces, the Dakar can be driven at speeds that would damage most cars – gravel roads, fire trails, and unsealed outback tracks that would challenge the ground clearance of most vehicles are accessible in the Dakar without anxiety.
Australian Context
Australia is arguably the world’s best environment for the 911 Dakar. The country’s mix of sealed mountain roads and unsealed rural tracks represents exactly the kind of varied terrain the car was designed for. Road trips that combine mountain passes with station tracks, coastal runs that turn onto beach access roads, property visits in rural Australia – all of these scenarios benefit from a car with the Dakar’s versatility.
Australian Pricing and Allocation
The 911 Dakar was priced at approximately $370,000 to $410,000 in Australia before options. LCT applies from $80,567 upward, adding approximately $95,000 to $105,000. Total on-road costs typically exceeded $470,000 for standard specification cars.
Australian allocation was very limited. The 2,500-unit global production run resulted in only a small number reaching Australia officially. Used examples are trading at prices close to or above retail.
The Optional Roof Tent
Porsche offers a purpose-built roof tent for the 911 Dakar – a genuinely functional camping accessory that attaches to the rear of the car. It is an optional item that sold as quickly as Porsche could produce them. It is also completely on-brand for a car that Porsche marketed with images of it driving across African desert landscapes. Whether it is practical for Australian camping is a different question – but it is one of the more memorable options available for any sports car.
Verdict
The Porsche 911 Dakar is the off-road 911 nobody asked for and everyone wants. It is versatile in ways no other 911 can match, capable on surfaces where sports cars have no business going, and entertaining to drive in ways that reward its unconventional brief. Australia is its natural environment.
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