Press release
2MB
febbraio 03, 2023 - Porsche
Can the 911 Dakar stand up to a rally legend?
Comunicato Stampa disponibile solo in lingua originale.
Two-time world rally champion Walter Röhrl has been under contract with #Porsche since 1993, initially as a test and development driver and now as a brand ambassador. The 75-year-old talks about the ‘Rallye’ driving mode, the advantages of all-wheel drive and his wife’s thoughts on the new 911 Dakar.
In 2023, you will have been with #Porsche for exactly 30 years. Is a raised 911 with off-road capabilities the craziest thing the developers have ever come up with?
Walter Röhrl: Yes, alongside the Cayenne (he laughs). Back then I thought, they’ve gone mad! But now you can see what an intelligent decision that was. It’ll be the same for the 911 Dakar. I’m just surprised it hasn’t come out sooner.
Why’s that?
Röhrl: Because I drove the first prototype on the off-road track in Weissach at least eight years ago. I was excited as a rally driver because it was a #Porsche sports car that also drives really well on a loose surface.
That must’ve been the 911 Vision Safari from 2012, a study.
Röhrl: Exactly. With all-wheel drive and a naturally aspirated engine, the car was based on the 911 Carrera 4S.
And your first encounter with the 911 Dakar?
Röhrl: That was during the winter test in Sweden in early 2022.
Did you also try out the new ‘Rallye’ driving mode?nAnd can it stand up to a two-time world champion?
Röhrl: In principle, yes. First of all because the all-wheel drive is tail-heavier in the ‘Rallye’ mode, which prevents understeering and allows me to keep the car in a light drift. And second, releasing the accelerator leads to relatively strong engine braking at the rear axle. The car can therefore turn slightly into the bend, which can be quite helpful for an inexperienced driver if they want to drift. This system makes it very easy and lots of fun. Especially on loose surfaces.
You like to joke that you’d rather drive forwards than sideways. Still, drifting on bends is a standard practice for any rally driver. Why?
Röhrl: If you expect the tyres to develop lateral force on loose surfaces so you can round the bend faster, you’re mistaken. That’s why I begin drifting slightly as I enter the bend when competing in rallies on gravel, snow or sand. So that the front is facing the direction I want to go in. Then I can take advantage of the full power after the crest and turn the centrifugal force, which would usually cause the car to slide off to the side, into forward motion.
This is like a physics class. Do the engineers also learn from you?
Röhrl: I gave up regular testing two years ago, so I’m no longer there for every car. #Porsche has enough good young people who can do that. Alongside the 911 Dakar project, I’m only involved with the GT cars at this point and drove the new GT3 RS three or four months ago. But to be honest, the cars are virtually in perfect condition, so all I can do is confirm that they’ve done a good job. And by the time I get in the car in the construction phase, all the mistakes have already been corrected.
There are videos that show you test-driving in Sweden. Despite the high speeds, your steering is calm, even restrained. Why do you do it like that?
Röhrl: Try pushing a car and then turning the steering wheel just ten centimetres in one direction. The car will come to an immediate stop. Driving resistance increases when you steer and intensifies tyre wear and petrol consumption. In fact, you should minimise steering for economical reasons. And excessive steering doesn’t make you go any faster, as anyone knows who has ever been skiing. A ski that slides sideways – forget about it. The ski needs to go straight, to glide.
Further information in the press release to download
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