2024 Porsche 911 Dakar

2024 Porsche 911 Dakar - DESIGN rEVIEW

Overall Grade = C+
AVERAGE​

Front End: C+
    Good: Intakes to move the dust
    Bad: A few too many flat surfaces
Rear End: C+
    Good: No issues with rocks
    Bad: Mud will get stuck easily
Side: C+
    Good: Protection where required
    Bad: Simple aesthetics
Overall Appeal: C
    Good: AWD Sports car done right
    Bad: All too common profile​

​​​​​Score: 58.11%
Grade: C+
Rating: AVERAGE
AutoLooks Rating: 5.8 out of 10

Front End: 58.80%
Rear End: 58.87%
Side: 60.00%
Overall Appeal: 54.78%

AutoLooks Buy List: YES
Recommended Tuner: POSSIBLE
Trent Setter: YES
Future Classic: YES
Stock Value: WATCH

Porsche is not new to active market as they have made off road versions of the 911 before.  This time though they were not allowed to use the Safari nameplate and, in its place, they have used Dakar.  What could be more fitting than being named after one of the most enduring off-road races around.  And to note the 911 has gone rallying before, as the 911 SC/RS.

    Not being 1984, Porsche has decided this time to release their off-road variation of the 911 for the public.  This could be because the competition is going after this market as well.   
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    With the explosion of interest in the active sports car market, it was just a matter of time before Porsche would jump in.  Both Singer and Lamborghini have already released their models, it was easy to see why this model is out.  And with Singer and Gemballa utilizing the Porsche profile, the interest in this model was already there.

    Up front Porsche has upped the protection with rippled flat plastic and a proper lower skid plate.   Added to this a flat plastic front bumper with easy to clean air intakes and you have the soft road protection you require for all the fun you will have in it. 

    But as usual Porsche has graced us with their standard front end.  Bubble lights, cheap exhaust ports a snout and a lack of any true character make this model blend into the crowd.  The flat plastic is good for the bumper, but not the exhaust ports, as these should have been further up and larger.  Besides the easy to clean bumper, this is just another variation of the 911, with nothing more than AWD to offer you.

   Along the side you will find more cladded protection along with a lower protective sill plate.  This plate blends into the side better than the clad does and even better than the additional marker lights. 

    Better integration of the marker lights with accents which blend into the additional cladding could help this model blend better.  Add to that a need for some additional character and it seems there is not much more on this model than from a standard 911.    

    Out back is where you will find the most upgrades to the original 911.  Back here an upgraded bumper complete with a protective skid plate, help to differentiate the Dakar from the standard 911.  Like the original 911, the Dakar integrates its exhaust into the bumper so that you would not notice it there

    Perfectly integrated tail lights which utilize dark accents which make them pop, but also bring down their status.  An overuse of flat cladding like the front is very noticeable, but with the integration of gills, this bumper could be utilized for more than just protection.  The gills, if needed, could be used as a step to access the oversized roof rack.  Along with this Porsche could have downgraded the size of the spoiler and reflectors as well.  Talk about over doing it.

    Overall, the Dakar is an upgrade to your base 911 which was well deserved.  From the Safari concept to the production Dakar, this model is a good fit over the standard 911.  And with very few updates, it will be hard to notice the Dakar from a standard 911.  This could work to its favor at the country club.

    With customers pushing for more products to be versatile above their standard profile, it was just a matter of time before Porsche jumped in line.  With the Cayenne and Macan, the Dakar is a compliment to the product line which Porsche required.  And with this new entry, the 911 manages to hit nearly every market of the sports car marketplace.  Maybe next they will make a shooting brake model.

Everett J.
#autolooks

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​COMPETITION:
Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato - 59.89%
MPG Gmbh Marsien - 70.06%
Singer ACS - 49.32%
Prodrive Hunter - 58.89%