Commemorating six decades of a timeless icon
Porsche Brunei celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Porsche 911 by showcasing the action-ready 911 Dakar for the first time in the country. Anniversary celebrations began with more than thirty 911 owners taking part in a scenic convoy drive, before arriving at The Abode Resort & Spa for the inaugural unveiling of the exclusive and heritage-inspired 911 Dakar.
Bandar Seri Begawan. Porsche Brunei, represented by QAF Prestige Sdn Bhd, marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic Porsche 911 with a deeply meaningful celebration. Together with more than thirty 911 owners, the adventure-ready 911 Dakar was unveiled at The Abode Resort and Spa in Temburong, a fitting launch location given that the region is well-known for its dense rainforests. The event was graced with the presence of Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Abdul Mu’min, a member of the royal family.
Since its inception, the Porsche 911 has gone from outstanding sports car, to transcendent cultural icon. Whether in automotive tests, pop culture or architectural commentary, the 911 has managed to combine form with functionality, performance with day-to-day usability and heritage with innovation like no other.
The extraordinary versatility of the 911 is perhaps best described by Ferry Porsche: “The 911 is the only car you can drive from an African safari to Le Mans, to the theatre and then on the streets of New York.”
The first 911 was designed by F.A. Porsche – son of Ferry Porsche – and his team. Its air-cooled flat-six engine developed 130PS and had a top speed of 210km/h – hugely impressive figures for a production sportscar at the time. Although the 911 has since evolved over generations in the six decades since, its flat-six engine layout in the rear, and distinct design language remain true to its origins.
“From humble beginnings, the 911 has become a bona fide icon that embodies performance and design excellence,” said Lahiru De Silva, General Manager of Porsche Brunei. “While we celebrate the 911, we would also like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our cherished Porsche community. Their shared passion and loyalty for the 911 has been the driving force behind these 60 incredible years.”
To celebrate this special anniversary for the 911 in Brunei, Porsche Brunei organised an owners‘ convoy drive, flagging off at Porsche Centre Brunei with more than thirty cars across all generations; after a comprehensive safety briefing, the guided drive passed through winding roads through scenic landscapes, as well as the longest bridge in South East Asia, the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge.
Upon arrival at the destination, the Abode Resort and Spa, Porsche Brunei turned the spotlight to a very special highlight showcase: the national unveiling of the 911 Dakar. Inspired by Porsche’s victory in the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally, the Porsche 911 Dakar features a unique combination of superior off-road characteristics and on-road performance – in essence, the ‘go-anywhere’ 911 ready for action.
Two attendees at the event were awarded a prestigious certification for their adept restoration of their 911 vehicles in collaboration with Porsche Centre Brunei. Renowned for their state-of-the-art facilities, Porsche Centre Brunei is well-equipped to restore Porsches, prioritizing the preservation of authenticity. This commitment is exemplified using exclusively Porsche Classic Genuine Parts, adherence to original technical manuals and specifications, and using authentic restoration techniques. Upon completion of a restoration, customers are presented with a distinguished Porsche Classic Restoration Certificate, and also a detailed book with all documentation pertaining to the meticulous work performed on their vehicles.
Porsche Brunei also seized the moment to express gratitude to its esteemed 911 customers by presenting special awards as tokens of appreciation. The awards conferred during this celebration included distinctions such as the 911 Driver with the Most Extensive Certified Porsche Driving Experience, Most Devoted 911 Owner, Most Proactive & Passionate 911 Owner, and Most 911 Models Owned. Through these accolades, Porsche Brunei aspires to foster a more expansive and robust community of 911 enthusiasts in the nation, inspiring others to pursue their dreams of the sportscar.
Off-road sports car with the genes of a winner: The new Porsche 911 Dakar
The first striking detail of the Porsche 911 Dakar is its ground clearance. 50 millimetres higher than that of a 911 Carrera with sports suspension, the standard lift system can raise the front and rear ends by an additional 30 millimetres. The ground clearance and ramp angle rival those of conventional SUVs The lift system is not only used to cross obstacles, but is an integral part of the retuned chassis. The ‘high level’ setting is available for ambitious off-road adventures at speeds of up to 170 km/h. Above that speed, the car automatically lowers back down to its normal level.
Complementing the car’s sporty off-road attributes are specially developed Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus tyres (sized 245/45 ZR 19 at the front and 295/40 ZR 20 at the rear). The chunky tread pattern is nine millimetres deep and the reinforced sidewalls and the threads consist of two carcass plies. All this makes the tyres of the Porsche 911 Dakar ideal even for challenging terrain and they are highly cut-resistant. Pirelli P Zero summer and winter tyres are available as an option, also with two carcass plies. But the all-terrain tyres come as standard and offer sports car dynamics on the road as well.
Commanding power on all surfaces
The three-litre biturbo six-cylinder with 480 PS (353 kW) and a maximum torque of 570 Nm delivers superior performance with a compelling boxer sound. The new sports car sprints to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds; due to the all-terrain tyres the top speed is limited to 240 km/h. As standard, the engine comes with an eight-speed PDK and Porsche all-wheel drive. The standard equipment also includes rear-axle steering, the engine mounts from the 911 GT3, and PDCC anti-roll stabilisation. The interplay of all the components results in the 911 Dakar being just as dynamic on sand and loose surfaces as it is on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
Maximum off-road performance is also ensured by two new driving modes, which can be selected using the rotary switch on the steering wheel. Rallye mode is ideal for loose, uneven surfaces and features rear-focused all-wheel drive. In off-road mode the high clearance is activated automatically. This mode is designed for maximum traction on difficult terrain and on sand. Both of the new driving modes also feature the new Rallye Launch Control, which enables impressive acceleration on loose surfaces and allows wheel slippage of around 20 per cent.
Optionally with roof basket or roof tent as well as Porsche Design chronograph
Additional characteristic features of the 911 Dakar include the newly developed, fixed lightweight rear spoiler made of CFRP and the CFRP front luggage compartment lid with striking air outlets taken from the 911 GT3. There are also standard off-road details such as the red aluminium towing lugs at the front and back, the widened wheel wells and sills and the stainless steel protective elements on the front, rear and side sills. The side air intakes on the redesigned front end are also protected against flying rocks by stainless steel grilles.
The roof of the Porsche 911 Dakar features a visible 12-volt power outlet for the headlights of the optional roof rack. With a capacity of 42 kilograms, the rack can accommodate rallying equipment such as fuel and water canisters, folding shovels and traction boards without any problems. A roof tent is also available for the 911 Dakar.
In the interior, the 911 Dakar underscores its sporting ambitions with standard full bucket seats and the omission of the rear seats. Lightweight glass and a lightweight battery reduce its weight further, enabling the Porsche 911 Dakar to weigh in at just 1,605 kg – a mere 10 kg heavier than the 911 Carrera 4 GTS with PDK.
A defining feature of the Dakar interior is the standard Race-Tex surfaces with decorative stitching in Shade Green, which is also exclusively available as a metallic exterior finish for the 911 Dakar. The Rallye Sport Package with roll-over bar, six-point seat belts and fire extinguisher is optional.
Rallye Design Package with styling reminiscent of the 1984 Paris-Dakar winner
At the heart of the optional Rallye Design Package from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur is a two-tone paint finish in White/Enzian Blue Metallic. This is the first time that Porsche has implemented the combination of bi-colour paint and decorative foiling in series production. On the side of the vehicle, the customer can choose an individual race number between 0 and 999.
In addition to the rally stripes in red and gold, the 911 Dakar with Rallye Design Package, whose appearance is based on the winning vehicle of the 1984 Paris-Dakar Rally, also bears the “Roughroads” lettering on the doors. The term is a registered trademark and reflects the concept of the 911 Dakar and its suitability for driving offroad. The white-painted rims and the red taillight strip, in contrast to the standard vehicle, round off the distinctive appearance. Further highlights can be found in the interior: Extended Race-Tex and leather surrounds as well as seat belts and accents in Sharkblue.
