AutoThis modded Porsche 911 has just driven higher than any other car on the planetLe Mans champ Romain Dumas floored it to 6,734 metres above sea levelWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
AutoThis modded Porsche 911 has just driven higher than any other car on the planetLe Mans champ Romain Dumas floored it to 6,734 metres above sea levelWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Le Mans champ Romain Dumas floored it to 6,734 metres above sea level
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Porsche)
(Image credit: Porsche)
Apparently, it’s not easy to drive a car to the peak of the western ridge of the Ojos del Salado volcano in Chile.
Disregarding the distinct lack of roads, the vast boulder fields and the deathly drops either side, there’s the issue of the air being half as dense at altitude as it is at sea level and the -20°C temperatures. Internal combustion engines don’t really get on with those kind of conditions.
All things considered, it’s quite the achievement that former Le Mans champion Romain Dumas managed to pilot a heavily modifiedPorsche 911to 6,734 metres above sea level, setting a new world record and proving Dumas is one badass wheelsmith in the process.
(Image credit: Porsche)
(Image credit: Porsche)
In order to achieve such lofty heights, Porsche had to create two bespoke 911 models - nicknamed ‘Doris’ and ‘Edith’ - presumably because one was very likely to break.Porschesays the final record push was achieved in the “lighter and more agile” Edith variant, which essentially is an extremely off-road capable conversion based on the current 911 Carrera 4S.
The 443hp, 3.0 litre, six cylinder boxer engine remained unchanged and was paired with a stock seven-speed manual transmission, but portal axles were added to increase ground clearance. These portal axles also had the added effect of reducing the gear ratios to allow for more precise throttle inputs at low speed.
(Image credit: Porsche)
(Image credit: Porsche)
This offered “precision and detailed feedback to allow Romain Dumas to place the car precisely where he needed it – often while ascending precarious and near-vertical slopes,” according to Porsche.
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What’s more, the two cars were running HIF eFuels, produced in Chile, which were made from water and carbon dioxide using renewable energy.Porscheclaims it was a near-net CO2 neutral record attempt.
“The 911 ‘Edith’ had some new scars and a layer of thick volcanic dust, but was otherwise ready to perform the same feat all over again,” Porsche claims.
Is it just us, or has the sudden urge to fit massive off-road tyres to a 911 suddenly taken hold?
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