The project manager of the Porsche 911 Dakar refrains from making categorical statements about his car having the best adaptive suspension in the world. However, he adds a clarification, noting that from the perspective of sports cars, the Dakar undoubtedly offers the widest range of possibilities in its class.
Compared to the traditional 911 with sports suspension, the 911 Dakar version is equipped with special shock absorbers that raise the body by 1.57 inches, while standard off-road tires add an extra 0.39 inches. Special attention is given to the hydraulic lift system, which was previously used for the front of low-slung sports cars and is now applied to the rear of the Dakar, allowing clearance to increase by an additional 1.18 inches. As a result, the total ground clearance reaches 7.52 inches, placing it on par with some SUVs.
The height adjustment system positions the sports chassis 1.57 inches higher compared to the standard 911 Carrera. When the higher level is activated, the system additionally raises both axles by 1.18 inches.
The Dakar is capable of performing anywhere, as it has excellent handling, can achieve high speed on the track, and easily adapts to changes in pace, just like any 911. While it may not compete with the latest 911 GT3 models aimed at more specific track tasks, its lap time is comparable to the 996 GT3, even considering the off-road tires and a maximum speed limit of 400 km/h.
Vehicle Specifications
Porsche has improved the stability of the all-wheel-drive car by including in standard equipment Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), rear-axle steering, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), and PTV Plus with electronically controlled locking of the rear differential and variable torque distribution. These technologies aim to enhance traction, performance, and driving pleasure under all conditions.
Testing is conducted worldwide, evaluating the car on sand, gravel roads, and snow. Stability systems are adapted for each type of surface, allowing the Dakar to demonstrate its unique abilities in any conditions. Two new driving programs have been developed: 'Rally' for active driving on loose surfaces and 'Off-road' for optimizing traction, with automatic activation of the lift system for maximum clearance at speeds of up to 107 mph, which is comparable to the Cayenne.
The development of the Dakar chassis requires significant programming efforts. Integration engineers participated in all worldwide testing, focusing on software for adjustment systems. Reducing the size of the springs by 50%, increasing their compression and extension by 0.57 inches, and installing stiffer engine mounts from the current 911 GT3 are just part of the hardware efforts. However, without the help of experts with laptops, this would have been impossible. Porsche Stability Management (PSM) has also been adapted for the difference between asphalt and desert sand.