Porsche unveiled the $223,450 911 Dakar model in November 2022, and it had quickly ascended to the status of a collector’s rarity despite a generous 2,500-car production run. Luckily for those who missed out on the deal, a tuner now offers a capable replica for nearly one-third of the price.
According to Carbuzz, the base vehicle is a Porsche 911 (996) – the company’s lesser-known sports car that went on sale in late 1990s and left production in early 2000s. Kalmar Automotive asks a minimum of €45,000 ($48,800) to have it upgraded to RS-6 spec. Only Carrera and 911 Turbo variants are being accepted for the conversion, but the steering wheel alignment doesn’t matter, at least.
Those looking to cut corners can opt for preserving the original six-cylinder engine rated at 300 PS (296 hp / 221 kW). As an alternative, it can be boosted to 500 PS (492 hp / 441 kW).
The tuner also installs new suspension springs, adjustable shocks and one out of two available Michelin tire sets. As a result, the ground clearance rises by a cool 78.7 mm (3 inches) to 210 mm (8.2 inches), which is on par with the latest Porsche Cayenne. You can also go for bucket seats, a safety cage and a rally handbrake.
You can source a suitable Porsche 996 in the United States for roughly $30,000, which means the whole thing could cost you as little as $80,000. The waiting time is around six months.