Following up on the first part of the article, this time I’d like to share the second part.

Highway Performance: Stability and Power

Once on the highway, still in the break-in period, I pressed the accelerator a little harder just past the tollgate. As expected from an engine based on the GTS, the power and torque surge impressively from a certain RPM range upward. At low revs, the Carrera actually felt more responsive and quicker, but the Dakar really shines as the revs climb.

Also, the 911 Dakar doesn’t have rear seats, and that’s where its charm really comes through. The cabin without the sound-insulating rear seats becomes a true 3D sound stage. The deep, layered exhaust, intake, and mechanical noises resonate, creating an intensely sporty atmosphere. Anyone experiencing this can’t help but smile.

Instead of Sport Plus mode, the Dakar comes with Rally mode.

The stability on the highway is outstanding. At typical Japanese highway speeds, it’s clearly more stable than the Carrera with the PASM sports chassis. It matches or even exceeds the stability of a standard PASM setup.

The all-terrain tires produce hardly any noticeable road noise—comparable to the Carrera, really.

High-Speed Winding Roads and Nighttime Matrix LED Headlights

Driving along the Chugoku Expressway with its ups and downs and fast corners, the 911 Dakar handles it all with ease. I had worried that the 5 cm higher ride height compared to the Carrera might make it feel unstable, but that was not the case at all. After all, the Porsche Cayenne rides even higher and still offers excellent highway stability, so it’s no surprise the Dakar can do the same.

The arrow-like stability, steering that inspires confidence through every curve, and the flat-six’s ample power made for an exhilarating night highway run with my brother.

Incidentally, this 911 Dakar is equipped with Matrix LED headlights. While the brightness is similar to the standard PDLS+ headlights, they skillfully avoid dazzling oncoming and preceding vehicles on pitch-dark roads like the Chugoku Expressway at night, making them incredibly useful. I highly recommend this feature for anyone who often drives on truly dark roads.

The True Value of the 911 Dakar

The day of delivery, covering over 900 km, flew by in no time. My brother, a die-hard Ferrari fan who’s usually not fond of Porsches, later said, “I can’t stop wanting to drive the Dakar. But it’s a limited edition, so it feels like a waste… I wish they’d make a regular Dakar model.”

I completely understand that feeling.

If a regular model like the Dakar were to be released in the future, I would definitely want to buy one. That’s how much the 911 Dakar is a “usable” 911 and the most “enjoyable on public roads” racing-inspired 911 in my opinion.

This trip completely changed my image of the 911 Dakar. If you’re lucky enough to own one, I strongly encourage you to drive it hard and enjoy it to the fullest. Otherwise, you won’t truly appreciate the value of this car, and that would be a real shame. It’s that much fun to drive a Porsche.