The Porsche 911 Turbo Safari takes the off-road sports car concept in a more extreme direction, combining a lifted suspension, all-terrain tires and extensive protective upgrades with a claimed 800 horsepower.
After Porsche unveiled the 911 Dakar in 2022, off-road-focused sports cars drew increased attention, with Lamborghini also entering the segment with the Huracán Sterrato. Factory-built models, however, are not the only way into the category, as aftermarket specialists have developed similar rally-inspired machines.
Built for the Dirty Work
Joey Seely of Paradox Performance, formerly E-Motion Engineering, showcased his Porsche 911 Turbo S rally-style build, nicknamed Turbo Safari, to Los Angeles-based car photographer Larry Chen.
The build inevitably draws comparisons with the 911 Dakar, although Seely said the Turbo Safari is more functional than Porsche’s factory off-road model.
While the 911 Dakar uses all-terrain tires and height-adjustable suspension, the Turbo Safari rides on 18-inch wheels wrapped in 29-inch Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tires. It features a fixed lifted ride height using KW Competition three-way coilovers.
A wraparound tubular bumper was installed at the rear to help the vehicle withstand off-road impacts. Additional protective modifications include a front tubular bumper, custom skid plates and Kevlar underbody panels.
Custom Cooling and 800 Horsepower
The Porsche 911 Turbo Safari also features a GT3 R-inspired hood and radiator conversion. The modification replaces the three original front radiators with a single trunk-mounted unit, creating clearance for the larger tires while relocating the radiator away from its more exposed original positions.
Performance upgrades include upgraded turbos, intercoolers and custom software, resulting in a claimed 800 horsepower. By comparison, the stock 991.2-generation 911 Turbo S produces 580 horsepower.
That claimed output also puts the build 327 hp above the 911 Dakar. The factory off-road model, however, uses the smaller 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six shared with the Carrera 4 GTS.
More Changes Inside and Out
Other modifications include new control arms and fender flares. Inside, the cabin remains largely stock, aside from the removal of the rear seats and their replacement with a custom platform for the customer’s dog.
Safari Spec Comes at a High Price
Seely said a Porsche 911 Turbo Safari build with this level of work costs around $300,000, assuming the customer provides the base car.
For comparison, the 911 Dakar launched with a starting price of $222,000 before destination charges and was limited to 2,500 units worldwide.
A more basic modification package—including control arms, dampers, wheels, tires, flares and skid plates—was quoted at around $80,000.
For buyers who prefer a factory-built alternative, reports suggest Porsche could reintroduce the 911 Dakar with 992.2 updates, potentially including the T-Hybrid powertrain for improved performance.
