Dirt Is the New Track
After Porsche unveiled the 911 Dakar in 2022, off-road-oriented sports cars gained more attention, especially with Lamborghini also entering the segment with the Huracán Sterrato. But factory models aren’t the only options, as a similar build has emerged from the aftermarket.
Joey Seely of Paradox Performance, formerly E-Motion Engineering, showcased a Porsche 911 Turbo S rally-style build, nicknamed Turbo Safari, to LA-based car photographer Larry Chen. It inevitably draws parallels with the 911 Dakar, but Seely said it is more functional than the factory off-road model.
Built for the Dirty Work
While the 911 Dakar has all-terrain tires and a height-adjustable suspension, the Turbo Safari uses 18-inch wheels wrapped in 29-inch Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires and a fixed lifted ride height on KW Competition three-way coilovers. A wraparound tubular bumper was installed at the back, helping the vehicle withstand off-road impacts.
More protective modifications were also installed, including a front tubular bumper, custom skid plates, and Kevlar underbody panels. There is also a GT3 R-inspired hood and radiator conversion, replacing the three original front radiators with a single trunk-mounted unit. This provides clearance for the larger tires while moving the radiator away from its more exposed original locations.
Performance-wise, the Turbo Safari comes with upgraded turbos, intercoolers, and custom software for a claimed 800 horsepower. For reference, the stock 991.2-generation 911 Turbo S makes 580 horsepower. That claimed output also puts the build 327 hp above the 911 Dakar. Though, to be fair, the factory off-road machine shares its smaller 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six with the Carrera 4 GTS.
Other modifications include new control arms and fender flares. The interior remains largely stock, except for the rear-seat delete in favor of a custom platform for the customer’s dog.
Safari Spec Isn’t a Bargain
Seely said a build with this level of work costs around $300,000, assuming the customer provides the base car. In comparison, the 911 Dakar launched with a starting price of $222,000 before destination charges, with production limited to 2,500 units worldwide.
A more basic modification package, including control arms, dampers, wheels, tires, flares, and skid plates, was also quoted at around $80,000. For those who may not be fond of aftermarket builds, reports suggest Porsche will reintroduce the 911 Dakar with 992.2 updates, potentially including the T-Hybrid powertrain for improved performance.
Â
