Porsche 911 Turbo Safari: 800‑hp Off‑Road Supercar Reborn

Porsche 911 Turbo Safari — an 800‑hp rally 911

Paradox Performance's latest build turns a Porsche 911 Turbo S into an 800‑horsepower off‑road supercar dubbed the Turbo Safari. Developed by Joey Sili and his team, the project is a deliberate, tougher alternative to Porsche's own 911 Dakar — with upgraded drivetrain, reinforced underbody protection, and purpose‑built suspension hardware that make it more aggressive and more practical for real off‑road use.

Why this matters

Since Porsche revealed the 911 Dakar in 2022, interest in factory and aftermarket off‑road supercars has exploded. Lamborghini’s Huracán Sterrato stoked the trend, but independent tuners have shown there’s plenty of room for bespoke takes. Paradox’s Turbo Safari is one of the most extreme examples: it keeps the 911 silhouette and road manners, but retools nearly every mechanical and protective element to handle rough terrain and big tires.

Design and protection: built to take hits

Where the factory Dakar focuses on adjustable ride height and all‑terrain tyres, the Turbo Safari follows a different recipe. It runs fixed, raised ride height courtesy of KW Competition dampers, sits on 18‑inch wheels wrapped in 29‑inch Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tyres, and uses a full suite of tube bumpers and skid protection.

Key exterior changes include:

• Full‑width tubular rear bumper to protect the tail and rear bodywork
• Front tubular bumper, custom underbody skid plates and Kevlar (Kollar/Kevlar) protection panels
• GT3 R‑inspired hood and radiator layout that relocates one cooler into the front trunk, freeing space and shielding the cooling hardware from damage
• Widely flared fenders and new suspension control arms for improved geometry and wheel travel

These modifications aren’t just cosmetic: the relocated radiators and reinforced bodywork are intended to keep vital components out of harm’s way on rocky or dusty trails.

Performance: 800 hp from upgraded turbo hardware

At the heart of the Turbo Safari lies a heavily revised powertrain. Paradox upgraded the turbochargers, fitted new intercoolers and installed bespoke engine management software to push output to roughly 800 horsepower. By comparison, the 991.2 Turbo S produced around 580 hp in stock form — and the 911 Dakar uses a 3.0‑liter twin‑turbo flat‑six shared with the Carrera GTS.

The result is an off‑road 911 that’s some 320 hp more powerful than Porsche’s Dakar in headline figures. Complementing the power are new suspension arms and the KW Competition dampers that provide a raised, dependable ride height suited to larger tyres and rough surfaces.

"We wanted a car that didn’t just look capable but could actually be used off‑road without constant worry," Joey Sili says. "This build is about durability and performance in equal measure."

Interior and practical touches

Inside, the Turbo Safari remains largely stock to preserve daily usability and driver familiarity. The obvious concession to function is the removal of the rear seats, replaced by a custom flat cargo floor designed to carry the owner’s dog and gear — a small reminder that these builds are often tailored to real‑world lifestyles, not just headline power figures.

Pricing, packages and market positioning

Paradox estimates a full Turbo Safari conversion costs around $300,000 — assuming the customer supplies the donor car. For those seeking a lighter investment, Paradox offers a more modest upgrade package that includes control arms, shocks, wheels, tyres, flares and skid plates for about $80,000.

For context, Porsche sold the 911 Dakar for a base price near $222,000 and limited production to 2,500 units. Reports also indicate Porsche plans to refresh the Dakar in a 992.2 facelift, possibly adding a T‑Hybrid hybrid powertrain — a sign that factory off‑road 911s will continue evolving.

Highlights:

• 800 hp via upgraded turbos, intercoolers and software
• 18" wheels with 29" Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail tyres
• KW Competition dampers and new suspension arms
• Extensive tubular bumpers, Kevlar underbody panels and custom skid plates
• Estimated full conversion cost: ~$300,000; basic package: ~$80,000

Verdict

The Turbo Safari demonstrates how far aftermarket tuning can push a modern 911: far beyond a mere cosmetic crossover into a serious, usable off‑road machine. It won’t replace factory builds for everyone, but for buyers who want a harsher, more capable rally‑style 911 with supercar performance, Paradox’s interpretation is an exciting—and expensive—alternative.