If you can’t quite stretch to a new Porsche 911 Dakar then a 996 conversion by Denmark’s Kalmar Automotive looks like a reasonably-priced, rugged alternative way to go off-road in an Elfer.
The company’s RS-6 is said to be “equipped for whatever lies ahead, to remain a very capable sports car, equally at home on the ice as it is traversing tricky mountain passes and arid deserts, or negotiating fast, sweeping road routes.”
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Using any 996 Carrera 2, Carrera 4 or Turbo as a starting point Kalmar completely upgrades the car’s suspension with a system of inverted front shocks, and an 80mm lift for a total ground clearance of 210mm, which is the same as Porsche Cayenne. These custom adjustable shock absorbers come with new springs, plus there’s a roll-center adjusting subframe kit, new top mounts, bushes, upgraded drive shafts and a strut brace. Lightweight, narrow 6×16-inch alloy wheels are installed with all-terrain or World Rally Championship-style spiked Michelin winter tyres. Adaptive shock absorbers are also available, along with a hydraulic lift kit.
![Kalmar Automotive Porsche 996 RS-6 1](https://media.hagerty.com/media/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/KALMARAutomotive-AdventureRangeRS-6014mb-1024x683.jpg)
Adding to the adventurous appearance is a rear-mounted survival kit that holds jerry cans and spare wheel carrier and plus a high output auxiliary LED light bar. There’s chunky underbody protection, with extra shielding for the car’s cooling system and a stiffened cross towbar. The interior is stripped back to save weight and fitted with a roll cage and Recaro bucket seats. A host of extra upgrades from engine tuning (up to 500 hp) to a fly-off handbrake and competition specification gear are available so that Kalmar customers can customize their car to their wants and needs.
The RS-6 has reportedly undergone a year of testing in temperature as low as -35 degrees to prove its durability. Prices start at €45,000 but you’ll need to provide your own 996.
“The RS-6 is designed and built to challenge your perception of where a 911 can take you. Thanks to the higher 996 production volumes, donor cars are readily available at a lower cost. Now, we can open up the thrill and fun of adventure driving in a Porsche to a new audience,” says founder and owner Jan Kalmar.