Crown

Could this happen?

https://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/911/203200/is-this-a-new-porsche-911-safari

WHat are they testing?

Looks like they are testing suspension travel and clearance of the tires

It sounds like a Porsche 992 Safari is in the works... 

Boxster Coupe GTS:

Boxster Coupe GTS:

Boxster Coupe GTS:

A Sunset (Boulevard) Porsche 911 Safari...

Meet automotive journalist Matt Farah’s solution to urban travel...

(4 January 2020)

Not all city cars are born equal. Well, not according to world-renowned automotive journalist, Matt Farah. Shortly after moving out to the west coast of America from New York, Farah realised that the crumbling infrastructure in LA made his daily drive more like an expedition down a back-country trail than a traditional city commute. From the monstrous expansion joints on Interstate 405 to the cracked roads in downtown Venice Beach, only his Baja inspired pick-up truck was capable of smoothing out the various lumps and bumps. 

”Although we are blessed with places like the Angeles Forest and Malibu Canyons, two of the finest places on Earth to drive a sports car, the city itself is a nightmare,” Farah explains. “The infrastructure is crumbling, repairs are rarely thorough, the freeway expansion joints are a sports car owner’s worst nightmare, and for a city as ‘spread out’ as LA is, it’s awfully crowded all the time. It can be a real challenge in low, modern sports cars.” 

Which is why his Raptor pick-up with its off-road suspension set-up and huge sidewalls was, as he puts it, a “gamechanger”. But of course, while Baja-inspired trucks ride well, they’re ultimately too unwieldly for tight city streets – even in car-friendly LA. So what was the solution? For Matt, the answer was easy: “I wanted something like the Raptor, but smaller, so the obvious answer was a rally car. Once I drove Leh Keen’s personal Safari 911, it was like a light bulb moment.” 

"For a city as ‘spread out’ as LA is, it’s awfully crowded all the time. It can be a real challenge in low, modern sports cars.”   —  Matt Farah

A two time Grand Am Rolex GT Champion and lifelong Porsche fanatic, Leh Keen has spent the last half a decade designing and building Safari 911 for people who want the ultimate go-anywhere vehicle. Matt, being a rather well-connected chap, got the opportunity to drive Leh’s first Safari build (that’s right, car No. 1) for his show on the /DRIVE network and although Matt admits the concept, “is totally different to what most people think you should be doing with a 911” he was sold. “I sent him a deposit check almost immediately afterwards.”

As part of what is known as ‘The Keen Project’, Leh is happy to either source a donor car for the customer (the base car must be a G-Body 911 from 1979 to 1989), or they find their own. Matt went with the latter option as he wanted to choose “the colour, the year and the interior.” 

For Matt, it was particularly important to have a 1987-1989 G-body with the G50 gearbox as “it has a more direct shift feel”, so he settled on an ’87 3.2 Carrera in striking Cassis Red; a rare and retro hue that he decided to preserve with an Xpel car wrap, rather than repaint – something the majority of buyers choose to do when moving to a rally spec. 

It was a decision Matt wasn’t sure about at first: “The colour was actually a bit of a controversy. I had originally planned to paint any car I found Dalmatian Blue, which is probably my favourite Porsche colour of all time. I was just looking for any clean coupe with a G50 gearbox and straight body. As luck would have it, the guy I bought the car from was not exactly Annie Leibovitz, and photographed the car at high noon, which makes Cassis Red look horrific; like Cyndi Lauper’s lip gloss. I was sort of down on the colour on Instagram and said I was going to paint it, which caused a bit of a ruckus with the purists. It was priced cheap and seemed to have nothing else wrong with it. When I got there to pick it up and saw that the colour was actually incredible, I decided immediately not to paint it. I frequently get ‘I told you so’ from the fans. Honestly, I’m gonna take some credit for the fact that Cassis Red is cool again.” 

After finding his unusually pristine donor car, it was shipped straight out to Keen in Atlanta for a new interior and the fitment of the Baja-inspired hardware. The parts list reads like a Tamiya brochure: bash bars, skid plates, rally light pods, shaved side door mirrors, tucked bumpers, Braid motorsport Fuchs wheels, Elephant Racing Safari suspension, a Quaife limited-slip differential and BF Goodrich K02 tyres – the same tyres, coincidentally, that are used on his pick-up truck. 

For the cabin, Matt opted for what he describes as an aggressive interior design: “Leh actually found the commercial grade LA city bus fabric and when I saw it, I was sold almost instantly. The car came with factory Burgundy full leather, and was in incredible condition, so we were able to retain the headliner, door uppers, dash upper, and base carpet. We were nervous if the bus fabric was going to work with the Burgundy leather, but it worked out. The hardest part was the matching leather MOMO Prototipo steering wheel; apparently it took the guy like 20 tries to make it work, and I had a temporary black steering wheel for like six months. But it’s basically the Pasha concept really turned up to crazy, and it’s also super functional because that fabric is designed to last 20 years in a bus; it’ll probably outlast the rest of the car”. 

After some engine work on its return, the car was ready for the road. The finished build couldn’t be further removed from what most drivers would consider to be a ‘city car’, but for Matt, it is perfect. “It is literally my daily driver. I recently loaded three bushels of firewood behind the rear seats. I mean – it’s not meant for attacking the canyons or going to the racetrack, it’s meant for going to the shops, driving to my office, running errands and then taking to the dirt for some fun. It really is the best parts of a Baja truck and the best parts of an air-cooled 911.” 

It seems city cars don’t have to boring. They just have to be fit for LA’s urban safari.

Article Link: https://www.newsroom.porsche.com/en/2020/sport-lifestyle/porsche-sunset-safari-matt-farah-87-3-2-carrera-19561.html

Matt Gets His Keen Project Safari 911! City First Drive!

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTl4iK0AuVU

 

It must be about time for Porsche to unveil the new 911 GT3 Safari model... 

So it seems that Porsche is indeed working on a “911 Safari” special model... 

Lifted Porsche 911 Prototype Spotted at Work, 992 "Safari" Rumors Going Strong

(21 October 2020)

A quick glance at the generous world of Porsche 911 modifications reveals that jacked-up 911s that can take their driver anywhere are a trend that's only getting stronger. As such, our jaws dropped when coming across the prototype we're here to discuss, a factory effort with a generous ground clearance.

The test car in question recently took to the Nurburgring, which is only normal. First of all, such a high(er)-riding 911 would still spend a lot of time on the road. Secondly, testing on the Green Hell doesn't necessarily mean the vehicle is set up specifically for the track, but rather revolves on the extreme feedback delivered by the German circuit.

As opposed to, say, Ferrari, which always tries to keep its testers as far from the public as possible, Porsche prefers to conceal its upcoming developments in plan sight. And, when it comes to this rear-engined coupe, it seems that we're dealing with a Carrera (S) that sits noticeably higher than normal.

Then we have the add-on wheel arches, placed there to help notice tolerances, which is a standard procedure, regardless of the vehicle's ground clearance.

Rumors about Zuffenhausen adding a lifted derivative to the always-rich 911 lineup have been strong since the previous 991 incarnation of the rear-engined sportscar and perhaps this is one of the treats we'll get for the upcoming ".2" revamp of the current 922 generation - this is also expected to bring the first hybrid powertrain in the history of the iconic model (the gas-electric setup has already been confirmed).

The Porsche DNA for such a Safari-style proposal is certainly there, since the automaker first built rally cars out of 911s back in the 60s, with these being lifted to take part in offroading races such as the Paris-Dakar in the 70s and 80s.

Truth be told, it would be nice to see such an addition to the Porsche range, especially after the "wagon" incarnation of the Taycan might have lost its generous ground clearance en route to production: Mission E Cross Turismo concept vs. recent prototype).

Note that the clip below (lens tip to statesidesupercars) also involves other Neunelfer test cars, as well as machines from other brands, such as the 2021 BMW M3 and M4 or the 2022 Range Rover.

And one of these is of particular interest to us: the 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. We're dealing with a naturally aspirated bomb that might even challenge the expected Nurburgring production car lap record of the twin-turbo Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (this is estimated to have completed a sub-6:43 lap and we'll return with a dedicated story later today), despite being seriously down on power.

And one of the secrets of the next 992 GT3 RS comes from the downforce department. Sure, it packs a super-sized wing (as does the Merc, which, by the way, can also be noticed in the clip below). But, if you look closely at the Neunelfer prototype, you'll notice aero bits that channel air from underneath the vehicle, with the "exit" sitting close to the side skirts. This is all part of a global trend that sees motorsport technology making its way to road cars.

PS: While the potential 911 Safari tester can be found at the 2:53 point of the video, the 992 GT3 RS enters the stage at the 4:13 timestamp.

Article Link: https://www.autoevolution.com/news/lifted-porsche-911-prototype-spotted-at-work-992-safari-rumors-going-strong-150429.html 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNvDZ1LTBk8 

A bit more on the 911 Safari from evo magazine... 

“Is this a new Porsche 911 Safari?” (evo magazine)

Tall ride height and wheelarch extensions suggest a surprise 911 derivative could be coming... 

(22 October 2020)

Porsche has been spotted testing an unusual 911 prototype on the Nürburgring in recent weeks, one featuring a collection of unlikely modifications that takes this possible 911 variant in a rather different direction to the GT3 and Turbo S.

Building upon what looks to be a standard 992-generation bodyshell, this prototype features a set of rudimentary extended wheelarches concealing what is a quite substantial amount of additional ride height compared to the standard Carrera. These arches, rather than having a true technical purpose, are instead fitted to hide the extra space within the wheelarch, making it look relatively unchanged from the standard model at first glance.

This extra ride height is a substantial change too, as the 911’s coilover suspension design doesn’t facilitate adjustable ride heights aside from the hydraulic nose-lift, which is speed limited as it essentially removes all rebound from the damper’s vertical movement. 

Other than the unfamiliar ride height, this prototype looks fairly standard, wearing slightly smaller wheels than most, wrapped in tyres with a taller sidewall than you’ll find on the current 911 Carrera. There’s also a small winged outcrop at the top of the rear screen that looks to have a small camera mounted within, perhaps signalling a future use of a virtual rear-view mirror, like the one already found in some Jaguars and Land Rovers. 

While we have no official steer from Porsche as to the prototype’s purpose, the notion of a toughened-up Safari derivative is not without historical precedent: international rallying played a big part in the 911’s early motorsport heritage, the model tackling rally raids and safari rallies since the 1970s. 

It’s no secret that evo is sceptical about most crossovers, but a factory-developed 911 Safari is something – you won’t be surprised to hear – we could well get behind. While there is a chance this prototype could in fact be testing internal components not relative to an off-roader version at all, Porsche was very clear about the expected expansion of derivative and specialised models with the 992, so this could well be something more.

Link: https://www.evo.co.uk/porsche/911/203200/is-this-a-new-porsche-911-safari

...let’s go Porsche! 

Looking forward to the announcement of a Porsche 911 GT3 Safari rally special edition... 

...turn up the volume! 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh6yipiOg0g

Just what the World needs, more 911 variants

Well, at the end, it is just another suspension test and possibly just another test for the new "992 T with sport suspension as standard" ... 

Boxster Coupe GTS:

Looking forward to the announcement of a Porsche 911 GT3 Safari rally special edition... 

...turn up the volume! 

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh6yipiOg0g

this is a Tuthill and features exe-tc suspension.

I have exe-tc on my rally car as well. great suspension.

thats pretty much my spec

“High-riding Porsche 911 prototype hints at rally-inspired variant” (Autocar)

(23 October 2020)

Mystery spy shots of jacked-up 911 support suggestions of a limited-run 'crossover' version of sports car

An unusual high-riding Porsche 911 prototype has been seen testing on the road, reigniting suggestions that a rally-inspired ‘Safari’ model is in the works. 

The prototype, which in all other respects appears to be a standard 992-generation model, features a clearly raised ride height with the arch gap filled by styrofoam cladding. 

Such cladding has sometimes been used to help test and develop suspension set-ups, and to hide new developments such as air suspension. 

However, it could be there to try to hide the extra space in the wheel arch. It could, therefore, be an early mule for a long-mooted project to introduce a crossover-style ‘Safari’ model as a limited-run special.

Porsche is refusing to comment on the latest spy shots. However, in 2018, Porsche sales boss Detlev von Platen hinted at such a model when speaking to our sister title Autocar India. 

“Taking the 911 and making an SUV out of it? Taking it higher? That could be a good idea, and of course it [a raised-up 911] won’t be a model range but it will be a limited, very niche product,” he said. Porsche has consistently indicated a desire to expand derivates of the 911 and do more special variants, too. 

The Stuttgart brand has a history with raised-up versions of its sports cars, albeit one based in motorsport. The company used jacked-up 911s in the late 1970s and early 1980s in rally special stages, and was the only team in the 1978 East African Safari Classic Rally to get both of its cars across the finish line. Although never a production model, the ‘Safari’ name became a pseudonym for aftermarket rally 911 builds.

Link: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/high-riding-porsche-911-prototype-hints-rally-inspired-variant

Why do these alleged automotive journalists getting the details wrong?  Those aren’t fender extensions.  The foam is used to determine wheel clearance within the wheel well.  While it is difficult to ascertain the reason for the extended suspension, it isn’t too speculative to consider the possibility Porsche is testing an adjustable air spring suspension for the 911. That would increase wheel travel as well as lower the car at higher speeds. 

CGX car nut:

Why do these alleged automotive journalists getting the details wrong?  Those aren’t fender extensions.  The foam is used to determine wheel clearance within the wheel well.  While it is difficult to ascertain the reason for the extended suspension, it isn’t too speculative to consider the possibility Porsche is testing an adjustable air spring suspension for the 911. That would increase wheel travel as well as lower the car at higher speeds. 

was this not my guess? Thanks!

They would not want to steal SUV sales! My guess is they would run the SUV in these rallies today - not the 911  

This 911 proposal reminds me of that famous German term for the egg laying milk sow.... Eierlegende Wollmilchsau?  

See, some of us remember our Rennteam German lessons....

2017 Range Rover Sport S/C,  2019 Porsche 911 Turbo

Leawood911:

CGX car nut:

Why do these alleged automotive journalists getting the details wrong?  Those aren’t fender extensions.  The foam is used to determine wheel clearance within the wheel well.  While it is difficult to ascertain the reason for the extended suspension, it isn’t too speculative to consider the possibility Porsche is testing an adjustable air spring suspension for the 911. That would increase wheel travel as well as lower the car at higher speeds. 

 

was this not my guess? Thanks!

They would not want to steal SUV sales! My guess is they would run the SUV in these rallies today - not the 911  

 

+1

2016 Porsche 981 GT4 | Racing Yellow
2018 Audi S6 Avant | Ibis White

4trac:

This 911 proposal reminds me of that famous German term for the egg laying milk sow.... Eierlegende Wollmilchsau?  

See, some of us remember our Rennteam German lessons....

I was looking for this all the time and ended up wasting money on a Mercedes E55 AMG and a Panamera Turbo S. The E63 S AMG was the first sedan I bought as a pure family car, not trying to replace any sports car with it. 

There is no Eierlegende Wollmilchsau, not even the 991.1 Turbo S I had was it. Not enough room in the back for (adult or even adolescent) passengers, luggage room was basically inexistent with passengers in the back.

Best solution is three cars: Sports car (weekend, track), city car (maybe a smaller convertible) and a SUV as a family and winter car. Of course if you can afford it, even more cars make sense. 

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Lamborghini Huracan Performante (2019), Mercedes GLC63 S AMG (2020), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)

Closet thing would be the Taycan. It is much closer than people think to a sports car. 

But it has the disadvantage of being an EV.

Whoopsy:

Closet thing would be the Taycan. It is much closer than people think to a sports car. 

Taycan would remind me of my former Panamera Turbo S. Nice performance, great driving feel (though a little bit artificial at times, to "hide" the weight), not enough interior room, even less luggage room. Nope.

But it has the disadvantage of being an EV.

Not really. I think that a proper do-it-all sports/family/business car would be doable/achievable but I have to admit that I haven't put any more thought into it, so I wouldn't be sure how it needs to be to make me happy.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Lamborghini Huracan Performante (2019), Mercedes GLC63 S AMG (2020), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)

RC:

Whoopsy:

Closet thing would be the Taycan. It is much closer than people think to a sports car. 

Taycan would remind me of my former Panamera Turbo S. Nice performance, great driving feel (though a little bit artificial at times, to "hide" the weight), not enough interior room, even less luggage room. Nope.

The smaller interior room and lack of luggage space are inline with what a 911 offers. I had thought it would have reminded me of the Panamera too which I have one. I was wrong. Taycan is a grown up 911 instead of a smaller Panamera. 

But it has the disadvantage of being an EV.

Not really. I think that a proper do-it-all sports/family/business car would be doable/achievable but I have to admit that I haven't put any more thought into it, so I wouldn't be sure how it needs to be to make me happy.

It is. Say you want to wake do a couple Alpine passes Sunday morning. You want to continue in the afternoon. There are gas stations close to the passes but there aren't any charging stations. In a EV that means going home. 

Porsche Kept The 911 Safari A Secret For Many Years... 

(11 November 2020)

In the second half of October, a rather mysterious Porsche 911 prototype was spotted at the Nürburgring with an unusually high ride height. It didn’t take too long for people to speculate a Safari-like version could be in the works as a modern-day interpretation of the 911 SC Safari. Fast forward to the present day, it has come to our attention that Porsche has been toying around with this idea for a long time.

The 911 Vision Safari was developed in 2012, but Porsche waited until now to reveal the car. It’s actually a drivable prototype and was used on the gravel surface at the company’s Weissach test facility. Chief Designer Michael Mauer rode shotgun in the wonderful contraption, and he was left impressed with the 911 on stilts: “I have rarely had so much fun before!”

Much like its ancestor, the 911 Vision Safari was engineered with a raised suspension and chunky wheel housings able to take more abuse on a rough road. The front and rear bumpers were beefed up as well and the roof received a light bar for better illumination during a hypothetical night rally event.

We can’t see what’s inside, but Porsche says there’s a stripped-out cabin with racing seats and a roll cage. Interestingly, the engineers fitted a bespoke shelf behind the seats to hold the driver’s helmet, which would be cooled down between two rally stages courtesy of a built-in fan.

Link: https://www.motor1.com/news/453914/porsche-911-safari-macan-safari/ 

This... (our street yesterday....) is why driving the 911 in winter is not straightforward.  Maybe the Safari could handle it....?  New winter beater?  

2017 Range Rover Sport S/C,  2019 Porsche 911 Turbo

😳😳😳

My view at present. Byron Bay for a few days. Including Australia’s most easterly lizard!

Love seeing photos of the different places RT'mers are 

⇒ Carlos - Porsche 991 Carrera GTS

Ha, thanks for those DJM... we landed in NSW exactly a year ago today for last year's trip, unfortunately it was a partly smoke filled two months and a stressful one for most Australians.  Hope this summer is much better for you (should be not much left to burn?).  We expect to be back 2022 in Australia again.... 

2017 Range Rover Sport S/C,  2019 Porsche 911 Turbo

I would definitely choose DJ48's place to be right now. All that thick white stuff at 4trc's place should only be seen on the mountains , way too early to have it around civilisation  

 964 Carrera 4 --  997.2 C2S , -20mm -- 991.2 GT3 RS 

Gnil:

I would definitely choose DJ48's place to be right now. All that thick white stuff at 4trc's place should only be seen on the mountains , way too early to have it around civilisation  

 Couldn't agree more.

A (German) friend has returned back to the US (California) because of the weather here in Germany.

RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Lamborghini Huracan Performante (2019), Mercedes GLC63 S AMG (2020), Mercedes C63 S AMG Cab (2019), Range Rover Evoque Si4 Black Edition (2019)

None of that white stuff here, at this moment it's 18°C and sunny, see pic... BTW, this is the avocado seed that I said in the cooking thread that I was going to grow and plant in the garden, hope it works!

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⇒ Carlos - Porsche 991 Carrera GTS

Gnil:

I would definitely choose DJ48's place to be right now. All that thick white stuff at 4trc's place should only be seen on the mountains , way too early to have it around civilisation  

Yes, shouldn't be here either, this is at least a month early for a major snow - this one came up fast from the western US states.  The US usually blames Canada for very cold systems, now we blame the US for moist ones...

2017 Range Rover Sport S/C,  2019 Porsche 911 Turbo

4trac:

Ha, thanks for those DJM... we landed in NSW exactly a year ago today for last year's trip, unfortunately it was a partly smoke filled two months and a stressful one for most Australians.  Hope this summer is much better for you (should be not much left to burn?).  We expect to be back 2022 in Australia again.... 

You are absolutely right about timing. 12 months ago we were here in Byron Bay as well and the place would fill with smoke the moment the wind changed direction. Lots of rain recently so everything is green and not black which is lovely to see.

Last year’s fire season was made worse by a very dry winter and spring so the bush was super dry and ready to ignite. This year we are hoping that the higher rainfall we have had over the last few months will make a difference to risk.

Carlos, are the carnivorous plants there to eat the flys ? Hope your avo grows, we are all missing Enmanuels one.

@4trac: climate change proven   

Meanwhile over here, a very nice day with 16 degrees at its best. Some people still go swimming 

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 964 Carrera 4 --  997.2 C2S , -20mm -- 991.2 GT3 RS 

Gnil:

Carlos, are the carnivorous plants there to eat the flys ? Hope your avo grows, we are all missing Enmanuels one.

@4trac: climate change proven   

Meanwhile over here, a very nice day with 16 degrees at its best. Some people still go swimming 

--

 

 964 Carrera 4 --  997.2 C2S , -20mm -- 991.2 GT3 RS 

 

Nice scenery 

The carnivorous plants are just for my curiosity, the one on the left, the venus fly trap, is interesting to watch how it closes it's "jaws" when it detects a fly.  But they don't catch many though, they don't need many to live, the other plant, the pitcher plant, seems to need to catch more. If only they caught mosquitoes, I hate mosquitoes.

⇒ Carlos - Porsche 991 Carrera GTS