The new 911 Dakar off-roader proves it's anything but a cynical marketing exercise.
"isn't a bunch of marketing bullshit," in his words. Good news: It's not.
Leaving the pavement just north of Merzouga, we didn't so much as air down the tires. Instead, we twirled the steering-wheel-mounted selector to the first of two new drive modes, Rallye, and activated off-road launch control. It allows more wheelslip so the purpose-built Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tires can dig and scrape for maximum traction, and it feels for all the world like launching the car on asphalt except it's way more exciting. Porsche says the 911 Dakar will hit 60 mph in 3.
We'll climb a steep, rocky hill later, but right now it's all about the sand. Dune surfing is one of off-roading's great joys, running up and down the slopes while hanging out the tail and throwing sand everywhere. It's exactly the kind of thing you'd never expect to do in a 911, and possibly the most fun you can have in one. The 911 Dakar power oversteers so nicely, you kick it sideways at every opportunity just because it makes you giggle.
Merely to prove it can be done, we take a break from the dunes to climb a rocky hill. Traction is no issue—it's simply a matter of maneuvering carefully around all the big rocks threatening grievous body damage. Rear steering is your friend here. The extra ride height is, too, when you need to come up a steep transition or put a tire directly on a large rock. This isn't where the 911 Dakar wants to be, but if this kind of terrain is between you and the fun stuff, it can handle it.
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