Porsche’s new 911 Dakar was one of the hits at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2022, but the rugged sports car is limited to 2,500 units worldwide, meaning supplies will be tight.
However, Porsche could potentially launch sturdier 911s and maybe even make them a permanent part of the 911 lineup, according to the brand’s boss Oliver Blume.
In an interview with CAR published Monday, Blume said rugged 911s could form a new model line within the 911 portfolio, similar to the GT line of track-oriented models and the relatively young Retro line, which consists of models like the latest Sport Classic and Targa consists of 4S heritage design.
“Why not a third mainstay alongside the sporty GT and Heritage models? Why not also off-road?” says Blume.
2023 Porsche 911 Dakar
He stayed close to confirming such a range, saying instead that Porsche will first look at how the Dakar performs in the market.
According to Blume, a 911 with additional capabilities will meet the demands of buyers in some of Porsche’s newer markets, as well as younger buyers. This demand has probably led to Lamborghini recently launching the Huracán Sterrato and Ferrari, following the GTC4 Lusso, the new Purosangue SUV.
For the 911 Dakar, Porsche added modifications like a 2.0-inch suspension over a base 911 Carrera, as well as a hydraulic lift system that can increase the ride height by an additional 1.2 inches. A fixed rear spoiler, flared wheel arches and all-terrain tires round off the rally look, while the 3.0-liter boxer 6 with twin turbochargers from the 911 Carrera 4 GTS provides a peak output of 473 hp.
In his same interview with CAR, Blume said Porsche is considering more retro 911s, including models that honor classic 911s from the 1970s and 1980s. We’ve already seen a modern GT3 RS honoring the original 1973 Carrera RS 2.7, and the automaker is also working on a modern 911 that will likely honor the 1971 S/T racer.