Modified Porsche 911s Climb Volcano and Set New World Record
A small team and their heavily modified 911s have ascended to heights that no other ‘earth-bound vehicle” has ever gone.
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6 734 metres above sea level, on the peak of the Ojos del Salado volcano in Chile, stood a small team and their heavily modified 911s, which touched the sky thanks to the fuels coursing through their veins. The two modified Porsche 911s, affectionately named “Doris” and “Edith”, are the results of the collaboration between Porsche and RD Limited. Of the two, Edith is the more athletic model of the pair. Founded on the 911 Carrera 4S platform and repurposed to withstand and overcome the extremities of the volcanic Chilean landscape. Below each car’s utilitarian physique are a host of specially designed mechanical components, purposed to allow these cars to conquer the demanding terrain.
Some of the noteworthy components include portal axles, introduced to increase the ground clearance to 350 mm and a custom steer-by-wire system built by the Schaeffler Group, designed to withstand demanding conditions. Propelling all four wheels is a stock 3,0-litre flat-six boxer engine generating 330 kW affixed to a seven-speed manual transmission although the higher in altitude and the less oxygen available, the less likely an ICE is able to deliver all of this power. Interestingly, the 911s relied on HIF efuels, produced in Chile at Porsche’s Haru Oni plant, comprising water and carbon dioxide. The cabin of the two 911s features carbon fibre bucket seats with five-point harnesses.
Related: Porsche Reimagines 992 911 Turbo To Mimic 1974 911 Turbo Prototype
As the days went on, the team slowly inched their way up the volcano. Unlike the attempt in 2022, where the team only managed to ascend to 6 000 metres, this year’s attempt saw significantly less snow than the year before.
“I’ll never forget this experience. It was an extraordinary feeling to drive where no car has gone before. The 911 managed to go higher than any other earthbound vehicle in history. We reached a point where we were met by the true summit of the west ridge – we could go no higher. So this really was the maximum altitude that can be achieved. A proud moment for the whole team – and we’re grateful for the support and belief of all of our partners, each of whom made this possible.” – Romain Dumas
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