Porsche 959 – The Supercar That Conquered the Dakar
- Sven Syfrig
- Aug 6
- 2 min read
When Porsche hit the sand
1986, the Paris-Dakar is already infamous – a brutal mix of sandstorms, broken dreams, and legendary victories. And then came something wild: the Porsche 959.
A supercar, built for the Autobahn, lined up to battle the Sahara. It sounded crazy – but what followed was one of the greatest chapters in rally history.

Built for Group B, reborn in the desert
Originally developed to dominate Group B rallying, the Porsche 959 Dakar needed a new stage when that category was canceled.Enter: the Dakar Rally.
Three factory cars were built. Pilots? Motorsport royalty: Jacky Ickx, René Metge, Roland Kussmaul. Sponsor? The iconic Rothmans Porsche team.
The result? Victory in 1986 – and an automotive legend that still turns heads.
Why the Porsche 959 Dakar was ahead of its time
Engine: 2.8L twin-turbo flat-6 (~400 hp)
Drivetrain: Advanced AWD with torque vectoring
Suspension: Adjustable ride height for sand & rock
Body: Kevlar and aluminum construction
It wasn’t just fast – it was smart. Many of the 959’s innovations shaped future Porsche models, especially the 911 Turbo lineup.
Our take from the Dakar Classic world
Pros:
Insane performance – even in dunes
High-tech AWD
Legendary design and rally prestige
Cons:
Complex engineering
Extremely expensive to build or maintain
Not ideal for newcomers or low-budget teams
Final thoughts: The rarest rally icon of them all
The Porsche 959 Dakar didn’t just race – it changed the game. In the Dakar Classic, it remains a unicorn. But for those who chase dreams, not trends – it’s the ultimate build.
👉 Want to build a Porsche Dakar project? Let’s talk – we’ll guide your path.
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