The Porsche 911 Dakar Is Coming Back as a Hybrid
Porsche unveiled the last 911 Dakar last year with a limited-edition variant that was an ode to its famous 1984 win in the Paris-Dakar Rally. Or at least it was the last one for that generation, at least. Now, Porsche is gearing up to make a new 911 Dakar, this time with a hybrid powertrain.
The new hybrid 911 Dakar will be based on a refreshed version of the current 992-series 911, and will likely be launched later this year, according to Autocar‘s sources. The car will be another limited edition model, though just how many new 911 Dakars Porsche is planning was not revealed.
Under the hood will be a 3.6-liter flat-six engine that makes 478 brake horsepower, which will be combined with an electric motor for a further boost and 534 brake horsepower total. That is the same powertrain currently sold with the 911 GTS, which goes from zero to 60 in 2.9 seconds, and has a top track speed of 194 mph. The acceleration number in particular is better than the previous 911 Dakar, which went from zero to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds.
“Senior sources have told Autocar that the upgraded model is under development at the firm’s Weissach engineering centre,” Autocar says.
Porsche 911 Dakar
Porsche
The new 911 Dakar will also have Porsche’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and all-wheel drive. Beyond that, it’s expected that the new 911 Dakar will have many of the same characteristics as the old one: an air intake that designed for off-roading and a suspension that sits higher than a normal 911. That would be 1.9 inches higher, and an extra 1.2 inches higher if you flip a switch, for a maximum ground clearance of 7.5 inches.
Some new paint jobs are in the works, too, Autocar says, and the car is likely coming in large part due to customer demand, as sales of the last 911 Dakar were brisk. For a certain segment of Porsche enthusiasts, the hybrid powertrain will be a turn-off in the new 911 Dakar, as it was in the new 911 GTS, to which Porsche would say: Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. The buyers lining up to purchase don’t seem to mind, in any case.
Porsche 911 Dakar
Porsche
Authors
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Erik Shilling
