A recent sighting on Corsica: our newest CURVES adventure involved a travelling companion that at first glance seemed a less than perfect fit on this Mediterranean island – the Porsche 911 Dakar. The fact that this car’s roots lie in the dirtiest, most bitter chapters of rally racing history could be a first indication of its connection to Corsica. After all, the Paris-Dakar race cars based on the Porsche 911 appeared on dusty starting lines at the very time when the infamous Group B of the World Rally Championship was at its peak. The Porsche 959, the first brainchild of the 911 rally in the 1980s, is also built in the spirit of this Group B racer: brute force and extraordinary driving performance, wrapped up in an all-road package.
Having spent time driving in the 911 Dakar in Corsica, even the pragmatic members of the CURVES team who do not have racing in their genes have unreservedly confirmed the capabilities of this car when the going gets tough and bitter, or even when the roads dissolve completely into nothingness at the end. The Porsche 911 Dakar whirls like a dervish through the narrowest streets, moving with astringency and suppleness and combining precision with positive good nature. The 911 Dakar takes asphalt that would smash any other car in this performance category to pieces generously in its stride. To put things more precisely, nothing was a problem for it on our trip around Corsica.
Of course we forced the car to climb the narrow donkey tracks at the end of the mountain valleys with increasing daring and confidence. We also took shortcuts across alpine pastures, gravel roads and non-roads, chasing the ideal photograph. The short wheelbase of the Porsche 911 Dakar, as well as its adjustable ground clearance, enabled the car to climb with a nimbleness akin to that of a mountain goat. When we had to return the Porsche 911 Dakar to its home at Porsche Germany at the end of the trip, we were completely smitten with this jack of all trades. This is not a fashion item, or some quirky derivative, but actually how every 911 should be when not intended for the race track: competent, clear, logical. We have had just one wish on our minds since the trip to Corsica: Porsche, could you please build a “Dakar” that is not a limited edition, but something between a 911 S and GTS, specifically for popular sport on the dusty roads of this world? – The name “Dakar” has already been taken, so we have two suggestions for names: 911 Curves or 911 Corse. We think that might work.
(c) Text: Ben Winter - Photos: Stefan Bogner
