Porsche’s 911 Dakar Sets New Record For Highest Drive
Porsche’s 992 now proves it is the most capable car on the planet, climbing 6,734 meters to a new record.
Pro driver Romain Dumas and the crew from Porsche have now set a new record. Dumas has piloted a 911 Carrera 4S to the highest height ever driven. In total, they drove to 6,743 meters, or about 22,100 feet of elevation.
Previously, this record was held by a Mercedes Unimog. A vehicle already meant for off-roading, and that Unimog is modified far beyond factory specs. Well, this 911 is modified too, but it’s starting from a sports car, not a dedicated off roader. As a notable variable, both vehicles set their respective records at the same location, making the Porsche’s achievement even more impressive.
Ojos del Salado is one of the highest summits in Chile, and consequently a volcano, too. Del Salado’s west side is also its highest, and where Dumas and Porsche drove to their new record. You’d think driving to the top of a volcano would be warm, but not at those heights. Goodwood’s report on the record drive tells us it was 20 degrees below 0. Even if that’s in Celsius, that’s still -4F.
Still, it’s not like they had to deal with any snow. At 22,093 feet, they were far above any precipitation clouds. They were also above a lot of atmosphere, as well. At that height, air is half as dense, and oxygen is scarce. Thankfully the turbos on this car could pump enough air to keep the flat six running at those heights.
For these 911’s considerable modification took place in order to achieve these new heights. Bespoke body panels are over oversized wheels and tires. Everything sits higher, with the implementation of portal axles. In all the Porsche Carrera 4S has over a foot of ground clearance.
This Carrera 4S continues a thorough technological showcase with steer-by-wire tech. That’s correct, there’s no physical connection between the steering wheel and the front tires. As sacrilegious as it sounds, it is almost needed. Portal axles plus off road suspension mean articulation is limited with more and more linkages. Thankfully there’s a force-feedback system to still give a steering “feel” though we know it won’t be in any street cars any time soon… that we know of.
Meanwhile, we imagine the folks over at Mercedes are dusting off a Unimog in order to not be out-done by a sports car on a mountain, but since Dumas reached the summit, the best they can do is equal the record. They’re going to have to find a higher mountain.
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Photos courtesy of Goodwood
