Porsche Assessments Safari-Model 911 Prototypes on a Volcano in Chile

• Porsche examined two 911 prototypes with jacked-up suspensions and off-road tires on the facet of a volcano.
• The prototypes have been closely modified variations of the 911 Carrera 4S, which has all-wheel drive and 443 horsepower.
• Together with stripped-down interiors and safari-esque styling, the prototypes scaled the volcano with an enhanced drivetrain and a useful winch.

The Ojo del Salado in Chile is the best volcano on the planet. With slopes manufactured from treacherous terrain and areas the place temperatures are nicely beneath freezing, it is the final place anybody would anticipate to see a Porsche 911. Effectively, look once more, as a result of as these images present, Porsche has actually taken its iconic sports activities automobile to new heights by testing a pair of safari-style 911 prototypes on the facet of a volcano. Are they a sneak peek on the rumored Dakar model? It kinda appears that method.

Not Your Lawyer’s 911

Clearly, the 2 prototypes concerned on this wild experiment aren’t extraordinary 911s. Whereas they’re each based mostly on the 443-hp all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S, the 992-generation coupes have been closely modified. Porsche did hold their authentic seven-speed handbook gearboxes, although. Bravo! Alternatively, the remainder of the automobiles are barely recognizable with their in depth exterior alterations that embrace flared fenders, meaty off-road tires, rooftop cargo racks, and customized liveries. One of many latter’s shade schemes is identical as Porsche’s 963 LMDh race automobile and the opposite contains a 911 theme created by Weissach designers.

Volcano-Scaling {Hardware}

Fitted with heavy-duty portal axles, the 911 prototypes have a towering 13.7 inches of floor clearance. That is a half-inch greater than the Ford Bronco Raptor. The high-riding Porsches additionally characteristic decrease gear ratios for improved crawling skill at low speeds and handbook locking diffs for max traction. The 911s have underbody safety manufactured from powerful heat-resistant artificial fibers, too. We’re undecided if it could possibly defend towards lava, however the Ojo del Salado is a dormant volcano—so we’re informed.

It is not clear what sort of suspension the 911 prototypes are utilizing, aside from it is clearly not a inventory setup. It buoys a quartet of 12.2-inch-wide tires, all of that are mechanically linked by a tool that Porsche calls a “warp connector.” We’re informed it is designed to take care of most traction throughout excessive wheel articulation. Ought to both of the lifted 911s get caught (as seen beneath), each have a front-mounted winch to yank ’em out.

How’s the Climate Up There?

The workforce that examined the Dakar-esque 911 prototypes was led by adrenaline junkie, er, adventurer and endurance racer Romain Dumas. He took the jacked-up sports activities automobiles as excessive as 19,708 toes. Not solely have been temperatures mentioned to be round -22 levels Fahrenheit, however the air was paper skinny. The journey included such obstacles as boulder-strewn slopes, ice fields, and partitions of snow. You recognize, typical stuff that 911 drivers encounter. Nonetheless, Porsche says Dumas and his workforce achieved their mission.

“This was a very memorable and particular second in a spot that’s each lovely and brutal on the identical time, ” mentioned Dumas. “I suppose the one machines wherever on the planet increased than us right this moment have been plane!”

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