A special Porsche 911 off-roader has set off on a mission to scale Ojo del Salado in Chile, the highest volcano in the world. Setting off on an adventure where temperatures fall as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit, the Dakar-esque 911 was designed for the toughest conditions on earth where there are no tracks and no roads.
The 911 Carrera 4S-based prototype arrived with heavy modifications including a roof rack for carrying equipment, raised fenders, a custom livery, and large off-road tires offering 13.7 inches of ground clearance. The car was further optimized for higher performance during low speeds and locking differentials for maximum traction. Leading the challenge was Le Mans winner Romain Dumas, who took the car to 19,708 feet (6007 m) above sea level across walls of snow and large boulders.
“This was a truly memorable and special moment in a place that’s both beautiful and brutal at the same time,” said Dumas. “I guess the only machines anywhere in the world higher than us today were aircraft!”
“Over 30 years ago, a team of Porsche engineers fitted four-wheel drive to a 911 to explore ‘what if?’ – and I’m proud that this natural curiosity and drive amongst engineers to explore the limits, to test new ideas and above all to inspire, is alive and well,” said Porsche VP Frank-Steffen Walliser. “Projects like this one are vital to who we are at Porsche. As they began their journey, the team literally aimed sky-high. The first of what I hope will be many adventures.”
Take a look at the one-off Porsche 911 prototype in action below.
Elsewhere in automotive news, take a first look at A$AP Rocky’s real-life Need for Speed Mercedes-Benz 190E.
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