Porsche 911 Dakar tested in winter Dolomites by Stefan Bogner

Stefan Bogner drives the Porsche 911 Dakar across winter Dolomites routes, showing its off-road capability, performance and Alpine usability. Read the full story.

Winter mountain passes that usually remain closed for months are still accessible in the Dolomites — and this is where the Porsche 911 Dakar revealed its capabilities beyond standard asphalt. Stefan Bogner, creator of Curves magazine, drove across these routes at a time when most Alpine roads are empty, confirming that the car feels as composed here as it does on regular roads.

The journey began in Munich and continued through Vipiteno, the Gardena Pass and Corvara, before extending to Falzarego, Cortina and the Giau Pass. At altitude, snow, silence and almost no traffic define the landscape. In these conditions, the 911 Dakar moved steadily at around 40–50 km/h using its off-road mode, maintaining stability and control even on narrow stretches surrounded by snow.

This drive highlights the core concept of the model. The 911 Dakar was developed not as a traditional sports car, but as a more versatile version capable of handling snow, gravel and uneven roads. Increased ground clearance, all-wheel drive, dedicated Rallye and Off-road modes, and specialized tires allow it to operate far beyond the typical environment of a 911, while still delivering performance figures of around 480 hp and a 0–100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds.

The setting itself plays a key role. The Dolomites remain one of the few Alpine regions where driving routes stay open in winter. Passes such as Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Giau form a dense network of winding roads, making the area particularly suited for driving even in colder months.

The car also attracted attention along the way, with Bogner counting around 300 positive reactions from passers-by. The only practical drawback was road salt, though proper preparation and cleaning minimized its impact.

Porsche produced the 911 Dakar in a limited run of around 2,500 units. The model draws directly from the brand’s 1984 Paris–Dakar victory and continues a lineage of off-road experimentation linked to cars like the Porsche 953 and 959. In this context, a winter drive through the Dolomites appears less like a test and more like a natural extension of a concept built for roads beyond the conventional.