Kalmar Automotive RS-6 is Budget Porsche 911 Dakar

Complimenting the vast aftermarket industry of restomoddoing 911s, Kalmar Automotive has now debuted its RS-6 as an off-road ready 996 coupe.

RS-6

Image: Kalmar Automotive

Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag. 

Porsche 911 Dakar for who?! Kalmar Automotive has prepared a 996 coupe which promises to deliver the spirit of adventure with a budget-friendly twist. Kalmar’s debut water-cooled, Safari-style 911 dubbed the RS-6, stands tall with the ground clearance akin to a Cayenne, yet without breaking the bank like its air-cooled counterparts. While the Porsche 911 has long been hailed as a versatile sports car for everyday use, the recent introduction of the Dakar version elevated its all-around capabilities. However, with a hefty price tag R4 501 000 locally, the Dakar model resides in the realm of the affluent. This converted 996 is the solution!

Related: Modified Porsche 911s Climb Volcano and Set New World Record

Building upon Kalmar Automotive’s repertoire of enhanced off-road solutions for vehicles like the Cayenne and safari-style air-cooled 911s, Kalmar set its sights on the more economical 996, marking its venture into the realm of water-cooled 911s.

Image: Kalmar Automotive

At a starting conversion cost of €45 000 (R920 000), the newcomer’s RS-6 nomenclature is derived from “Rally Special” as opposed to the “Rennsport” already featured in Porsche’s ranks. The beauty lies in the fact that a donor 996 comes at a fraction of the cost compared to its air-cooled counterparts, making the RS-6 an enticing proposition for enthusiasts seeking off-road prowess without going the route of a pumped up SUV.

Related: Porsche Unveils Its All-Electric, Second-Generation Macan

Potential buyers can commence with any variant of the manual or Tiptronic 996 coupe, spanning from the Carrera 2 to the all-wheel-drive Turbo. While the base configuration retains the stock 220 kW flat-six engine of the pre-facelift models, there’s an option to elevate the power output to 368 kW, complemented by the standard limited-slip differential.

Kalmar’s standard suspension kit encompasses bespoke adjustable dampers, custom springs, heavy-duty driveshafts, and narrow 6×16-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain rubber or WRC-style spiked Michelins. With a massive 210 mm of ride height – equivalent to the second-generation Porsche Cayenne and 80 mm more than a regular 996 – buyers can opt for a hydraulic suspension kit for an additional 50 mm (2 inches) adjustment at the touch of a button.

Image: Kalmar Automotive

Standard features include roof-mounted fuel cans, a spare wheel, an auxiliary light bar, and robust underbody protective panels – essential, especially for water-cooled vehicles. The interior, stripped down to the essentials, forgoes most soundproofing in favour of Recaro sports seats or full racing buckets, with Kalmar ready to cater to individual tastes and preferences.

Would this retro take on the 996 generation be a more exciting prospect than the factory-developed 911 Dakar?

Browse thousands of new and used cars here with CARmag. 

The post Kalmar Automotive RS-6 is Budget Porsche 911 Dakar appeared first on CAR Magazine.


The Car Guide

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Topical tips on buying used – Chapter 1

Image
Buying a used car can be harrowing, whether privately or from a dealer. Here are some tips, as well as some things to watch out for. Beware of low mileages, especially on smaller or cheaper cars. It is always possible that the odometer has been turned back. Some things to bear in mind are:- diesels are often bought because they the driver needs to undertake long trips without consuming vast amounts of fuel. This could be a sales rep, or someone travelling large distances to work, lots of lengthy trip for family holidays, etc. So, usually higher mileages than normal. An expensive or luxury car may not see much time on the road, but very seldom a “workhorse”. This makes the executive cars likely to have a lot more life left than the overworked and abused hatchback. These also spend most of their life in a home garage or undercover parking lot at work. Related: Someone paid more for a mint BMW 325iS Evo 2 than a used M4 A vehicle without any service history is a serious disadvantage
Read more

Top 10 Best-Selling Automotive Brands Locally – April 2024

Image
Following eight consecutive months of sales decline, the milestone of celebrating a century of vehicle production locally saw a welcomed increase in the motor industry for April 2024. Have a look at the data below, which sees Toyota drop in sales but retain the top spot, with Suzuki moving into second and Nissan dropping to the bottom of the list without the NP200 rolling off of the production line. Image: Toyota Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! South Africa is marking 2024 as a significant year for its automotive industry, celebrating 100 years of car manufacturing. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of naamsa , the country’s automotive business council, commented, “As the sun rises on a century of automotive innovation, South Africa proudly commemorates a century of automobile manufacturing excellence. This milestone reflects a journey of resilience, ingenuity, and passion that has shaped the nation’s automotive legacy.” Details on how the industry will commem
Read more

Could this teased Lancia sports car be a reborn Stratos?

Image
Lancia recently teased a coupe-looking model, waiting to be unveiled in their Multiverse. Could this then, signify the return of a historic moniker like the Stratos to the struggling automaker? Image: Lancia #MakeLanciaGreatAgain – a social media phrase that has been making the rounds for the better part of a decade. World Rally Championship titles, Formula 1 single-seat winners and some other gems in between. The Italian automaker litters dates in history and motorsport, with some truly revolutionary ideas and models that aided their bid to become one of the most successful motorsport manufacturers of all time. But that is all in the past. Lancia now contends sole markets with a platform-shared model but there have been ambitious plans under Stellantis ownership to kick-start the automaker and make them great again… words that delight so many enthusiasts and aficionados. Related: Automobili Amos debut Martini Racing Livery Lancia Delta and Safarista What better way to do this th
Read more