For approaching 60 years, the Porsche 911 has been pushed to extremes on both the track and on the open road. Now, a fresh chapter is being written; a unique pair of experimental 911 sports cars are being tested where there are no roads, where the air is thin, where the temperature is far below freezing and even plant life can’t survive.

A team, led by endurance racer and adventurer Romain Dumas, has set out to explore the limits of the 911 and have opted for one of the toughest places on earth in which to begin the adventure – on the sheer slopes of Ojos del Salado, Chile, the highest volcano in the world.

The first test of the team and the cars has taken place. And, as a consequence, a Porsche 911 became one of very few vehicles of any kind to have ever reached such an extreme altitude. Exploring up to 6,007 meters (19,708 feet), the 911, with Romain Dumas at the wheel, took on bolder strewn gradients as well as ice fields that tested the abilities of both the car and the team in temperatures hovering 30 degrees Celsius below freezing and with half the available oxygen in the air compared to at sea level. Impassable walls of seasonal snow and ice high up near the summit provided the upper limits of the test, which provided a tantalizing glimpse of what the cars are capable of in the right conditions. For now though, the test is complete – and the team elated by the experience.

“This was a truly memorable and special moment in a place that’s both beautiful and brutal at the same time – I guess the only machines anywhere in the world higher than us today were aircraft! For the team and the car it was about learning – and right out of the box, the car was tough and nimble. We were hard on ourselves and really put it in the deep end for its first test, yet it felt at home,” said Romain Dumas, driver of the 911 and leader of the team. “We have enormous respect for those who have gone higher. No one has seen so much ice and snow up towards the top of the volcano, but despite this we went over 6,000 meters up, to the point where the walls of ice and snow meant we could go no further. We’re really proud of what the car and the team are capable of first time out – hopefully we can count on many more adventures in the future.”

Romain Dumas, Special 911 Carrera 4S, High Altitude Project, Ojos del Salado, Chile, 2022, Porsche AG
Romain Dumas

Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice-President, Complete Vehicle Architecture and Characteristics at Porsche AG, commissioned his chief engineer for the Porsche 911, Michael Rösler, with the project. “It’s been magical to build a 911 like the world has never seen before – made possible by a small team of engineering enthusiasts. The 911 has already been proven on the track and, of course, on the road. With this project, we‘re shifting the focus to where there are no roads“, said Rösler, Director complete vehicle 911 Model line. “Testing our theories means finding the harshest possible environments to see if they work – and on the highest volcano in the world, we succeeded.”

At the core of each car is the 911 (Type 992) Carrera 4S equipped with a factory standard turbocharged flat-six engine (911 Carrera 4S: consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 11,1 – 10,2 l/100 km, emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 253 – 231 g/km) developing 443 hp under standard conditions and the original seven-speed manual transmission. The 911 itself proved to be an excellent basis, through the mix of robust yet lightweight chassis construction, short wheelbase, ample power and the ability to cope well with extremely high altitudes. From this starting point, the engineers at Porsche’s research and development base in Weissach, near Stuttgart, working closely with Romain Dumas Motorsport, then let their combined creativity run wild as they worked to prepare it for the specific demands of the mountain.

Special equipment for the 911

The two cars were first equipped with roll cages, carbon fiber seats and harnesses to meet the safety requirements such a project demands. Next, portal axles were added to increase ground clearance (now 350 mm). New, lower gear ratios allow for precise, gentle throttle inputs at low speed and work well with large, newly fitted off-road tires. In addition, the cars are equipped with special lightweight, but extremely tough, Aramid fiber underbody protection to allow sliding over rocks.

A device called the Porsche Warp-Connecter was added. Originally designed for motorsport applications, it forms a mechanical link between all four wheels to allow constant wheel load even when the chassis is enduring extreme articulation – contributing to maximum traction. Manual, switchable differential locks were used along with an advanced steer-by-wire system. Finally a winch was added at the front of the car along with revised bodywork to allow clearance for the 310 mm wide off-road wheels and tires. The cooling system also needed to move upward to allow the car to tackle more extreme off-road sections without fear of damage. As a finishing touch, the bodywork was finished in two distinctive liveries – one featuring the same Porsche Motorsport color scheme adorning the 963 LMDh racer and a second 911-themed livery designed by the styling team in Weissach.

“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 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.”

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Consumption data

Modelli 911 Carrera T

WLTP*
  • 10,9 – 10,3 l/100 km
  • 247 – 233 g/km

Modelli 911 Carrera T

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 10,9 – 10,3 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 247 – 233 g/km
Classe di efficienza: G

911 Carrera 4S

WLTP*
  • 11,1 – 10,2 l/100 km
  • 253 – 231 g/km

911 Carrera 4S

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 11,1 – 10,2 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 253 – 231 g/km
Classe di efficienza: G

911 GT3 RS

WLTP*
  • 13,4 l/100 km
  • 305 g/km

911 GT3 RS

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 13,4 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 305 g/km
Classe di efficienza: G

911 Turbo Cabriolet Models

WLTP*
  • 12,5 – 12,1 l/100 km
  • 284 – 275 g/km

911 Turbo Cabriolet Models

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 12,5 – 12,1 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 284 – 275 g/km
Classe di efficienza: G

911 Turbo models

WLTP*
  • 12,5 – 12,0 l/100 km
  • 284 – 271 g/km

911 Turbo models

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 12,5 – 12,0 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 284 – 271 g/km
Classe di efficienza: G

Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé

WLTP*
  • 2,0 – 1,7 l/100 km
  • 46 – 40 g/km
  • 31,8 – 30,1 kWh/100 km
  • 70 – 72 km

Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 2,0 – 1,7 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 46 – 40 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 31,8 – 30,1 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 70 – 72 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 76 – 81 km
Classe di efficienza: F

Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package

WLTP*
  • 1,9 – 1,8 l/100 km
  • 43 – 40 g/km
  • 31,1 – 30,2 kWh/100 km
  • 71 – 72 km

Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid Coupé with GT Package

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 1,9 – 1,8 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 43 – 40 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 31,1 – 30,2 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 71 – 72 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 79 – 82 km
Classe di efficienza: F

Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid SUV

WLTP*
  • 2,0 – 1,7 l/100 km
  • 45 – 39 g/km
  • 31,7 – 29,9 kWh/100 km
  • 70 – 73 km

Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid SUV

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 2,0 – 1,7 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 45 – 39 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 31,7 – 29,9 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 70 – 73 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 76 – 82 km
Classe di efficienza: F

Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid

WLTP*
  • 1,7 – 1,2 l/100 km
  • 38 – 26 g/km
  • 29,9 – 27,5 kWh/100 km
  • 76 – 91 km

Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 1,7 – 1,2 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 38 – 26 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 29,9 – 27,5 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 76 – 91 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 83 – 93 km
Classe di efficienza: F

Panamera Turbo S

WLTP*
  • 13,2 – 12,8 l/100 km
  • 298 – 290 g/km

Panamera Turbo S

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 13,2 – 12,8 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 298 – 290 g/km
Classe di efficienza: G

Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid

WLTP*
  • 2,9 – 2,7 l/100 km
  • 66 – 62 g/km
  • 24,6 – 24,0 kWh/100 km
  • 48 – 50 km

Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 2,9 – 2,7 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 66 – 62 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 24,6 – 24,0 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 48 – 50 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 49 – 50 km
Classe di efficienza: F

Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive

WLTP*
  • 2,9 – 2,8 l/100 km
  • 67 – 64 g/km
  • 24,7 – 24,2 kWh/100 km
  • 47 – 48 km

Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 2,9 – 2,8 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 67 – 64 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 24,7 – 24,2 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 47 – 48 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 49 km
Classe di efficienza: F

Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo

WLTP*
  • 3,0 – 2,9 l/100 km
  • 69 – 65 g/km
  • 24,9 – 24,4 kWh/100 km
  • 46 – 47 km

Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 3,0 – 2,9 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 69 – 65 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 24,9 – 24,4 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 46 – 47 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 49 – 50 km
Classe di efficienza: F

Panamera Turbo S Executive

WLTP*
  • 13,2 – 12,9 l/100 km
  • 299 – 293 g/km

Panamera Turbo S Executive

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 13,2 – 12,9 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 299 – 293 g/km
Classe di efficienza: G

Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo

WLTP*
  • 13,3 – 13,0 l/100 km
  • 302 – 295 g/km

Panamera Turbo S Sport Turismo

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
consumo carburante combinato (WLTP) 13,3 – 13,0 l/100 km
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 302 – 295 g/km
Classe di efficienza: G

Taycan Turbo

WLTP*
  • 0 g/km
  • 23,6 – 20,2 kWh/100 km
  • 435 – 506 km

Taycan Turbo

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 0 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 23,6 – 20,2 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 435 – 506 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 537 – 627 km
Classe di efficienza: C

Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo

WLTP*
  • 0 g/km
  • 24,2 – 21,3 kWh/100 km
  • 423 – 483 km

Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 0 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 24,2 – 21,3 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 423 – 483 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 533 – 613 km
Classe di efficienza: C

Taycan Turbo S

WLTP*
  • 0 g/km
  • 23,4 – 22,0 kWh/100 km
  • 440 – 467 km

Taycan Turbo S

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 0 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 23,4 – 22,0 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 440 – 467 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 524 – 570 km
Classe di efficienza: C

Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo

WLTP*
  • 0 g/km
  • 24,0 – 22,5 kWh/100 km
  • 428 – 458 km

Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 0 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 24,0 – 22,5 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 428 – 458 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 519 – 561 km
Classe di efficienza: C

Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo

WLTP*
  • 0 g/km
  • 24,0 – 22,6 kWh/100 km
  • 430 – 456 km

Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 0 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 24,0 – 22,6 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 430 – 456 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 518 – 562 km
Classe di efficienza: C

Taycan Turbo Sport Turismo

WLTP*
  • 0 g/km
  • 24,2 – 21,0 kWh/100 km
  • 424 – 489 km

Taycan Turbo Sport Turismo

Consumo di carburante / Emissioni
emissioni CO₂ combinato (WLTP) 0 g/km
consumo elettrico combinato (WLTP) 24,2 – 21,0 kWh/100 km
Gamma elettrica combinata (WLTP) 424 – 489 km
Gamma elettrica in aree urbane (WLTP) 531 – 616 km
Classe di efficienza: C