View Photos of the 2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

The limited-edition Porsche 911 Dakar rides on a raised chassis that offers 6.3 inches of standard ground clearance, with a hydraulic lift system that'll increase that to 7.5 inches. Mix in a 473-hp twin-turbo flat-six engine and season it with a set of broad Pirelli all-terrain tires, and you arrive at the perfect recipe for off-road hilarity in the dunes.

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The Dakar is an entertaining high-dollar dune buggy that's built up from a Carrera 4 GTS instead of a VW Beetle.

A 473-hp GTS engine makes the Dakar shine, but the fact that its 420-lb-ft torque peak persists from 2300 to 5000 rpm is what really catches your attention out here.

We estimate the Dakar can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds on asphalt. But what about in dirt?

The Dakar's traction management system can shift torque over a wide range that spans from 88 percent front to 100 percent rear, depending on where the traction is.

Rallye mode configures the torque split, PDCC adjustable anti-roll bars, rear-axle steering, and other systems to make it easy to create and control lurid slides.

"I can't believe I'm doing this in a 911!"

Urban driveway clearance should never be an issue with this 911, whose higher stance and reprofiled chin delivers 14.2 degrees of approach clearance at standard height and 16.1 degrees when lifted.

The lower edge of the Dakar's rear fascia has been resculpted to provide a better departure angle of 16.4 degrees at standard height and 18.2 degrees in lifted mode, and that red tow hook makes a handy mounting point for a dune-visibility flag.

The Dakar's bespoke Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tires serve the car well on sand and gravel, but they're also quiet and responsive enough on pavement to earn their place on the standard-equipment list.

The Dakar's drive mode switch features two additional selections, Rallye and Offroad.

Most people who visit Erg Chebbi are interested in taking a camel ride, but we liked our chariot better.

Apart from some Dakar-specific trim selections, it looks just like a 911 inside.

The standard one-piece carbon buckets feel like a boxing opponent off-road, so we suggest the standard 18-way power-adjustable heated performance seats, a no-cost option. Meanwhile, you can't get the roll bar in the U.S. at any price.

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar

2023 Porsche 911 Dakar