DUNE BUGGY
AFRICA IS VAST in every way imaginable—lots of land, lots of people, and vast natural resources. Roughly 1.4 billion people live there, but many Americans know little about its geography. Dakar, for instance, isn’t just the capital of Senegal, it’s also the westernmost large city on the continent. And now it’s a name Porsche has appended to the newest 911 model.
A few months ago, Porsche asked me this: “Would you like to fly to Morocco and drive the new 911 Dakar in the Sahara on some of the course once used for the Paris-Dakar Rally?” Already fascinated by Porsche’s heritage and success with 911s in that epic rally through Europe and North Africa, I answered without hesitation. That you’re reading this story indicates my response. I was about to learn a little about Africa and a lot about the latest 911.
Some privileged motorsport-grade names—Walter Röhrl, Jacky Ickx—have driven 911s in rallies, from rear-drive variants (on which a Keen Project Safari is modeled) to the beloved 953 and the spectacular 959. Maybe you haven’t heard of the 953— it ran the Paris-Dakar Rally only once, in 1984, with René Metge piloting it to victory. It used the 911’s first experimental four-wheel-drive system, which evolved into the civilian 911 Carrera 4.
Dit verhaal komt uit de June - July 2023 editie van Road & Track.
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Dit verhaal komt uit de June - July 2023 editie van Road & Track.
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MYTH BUSTING
Judging by past speculatory magazine articles, a mic-engine Corvette had been in the works nearly as long as the car has had a V-8. Road & Track’s role in this fantastical vision goes back to at least 1967. Inside GM, though, not so much.
RIDE HEIGHT
“YOU CAN SEE FROM MILES AWAY that it’s a Bentley,” says Jai Bolar, the automaker’s head of design strategy and innovation.
WINGMAN ONE MAN'S QUEST TO REUNITE A 300SL WITH ITS PAST AT THE 12 HOURS OF SEBRING.
GOOSE BUMPS. “I couldn’t believe I was sitting in this seat, in this car, about to throttle onto the track at Sebring,” says Juan J. Escalante.
END OF THE ROAD
TO SKIRT THE TEDIUM OF THE L.A.-TO-VEGAS SLOG, LEAVE THE PAVEMENT BEHIND.
Magical Realism
Singer conjures up a fantastical take on the 911 Turbo.
OUT OF REACH - THE MOST ASPIRATIONAL WATCH IS ONE YOU CAN'T HAVE.
THE BUCKET-LIST WATCH is a dangerous game. It’s good to have a motivating goal, no doubt. But the problem is what happens when you reach that goal. Years, months, or even days later, you need a new holy grail to chase—bigger, pricier, and harder to get than the one you just got.
FAST PARADE - EXCESSIVE SPEEDING IN SERVICE TO THE NATION.
“ARE YOU FREE ON SATURDAY?” my friend Larry asked on the phone. “We need drivers for the motorcade.”
GRAND TOUR
THERE'S NO QUICKER WAY TO FULFILL ITALIAN DREAMS THAN IN A V-12 FERRARI.
LEARNING TO FLY COMING DOWN IS THE HARDEST THING.
SEPARATING A CAR from the ground is simple physics. Drive over an incline at a high-enough velocity, and momentum will briefly relieve your tires of their primary function. The higher the velocity or ramp angle, the higher or longer the flight.
THE KIMI SPECIAL
A NIGHT CAROUSING WITH THE ICEMAN REMAINS MEMORABLE, DESPITE THE COPIOUS AMOUNT OF ALCOHOL.
