Where high-performance engineering meets rugged utility, a new kind of adventure begins.
When Porsche unveiled the 911 Dakar, it didn’t just tweak the formula—it rewrote it entirely. A 911 with real off-road chops, rally-bred DNA, and a stance that looks as comfortable on gravel as it does on a racetrack. This wasn’t a novelty; it was a call to explore the road less traveled.
But no matter how capable the car, the gear you bring with you matters just as much. That’s where RUX steps in—a modular, collapsible, and seriously tough storage system that can keep up with the wildest drives.
Together, the 911 Dakar and RUX gear create a rare combination: a vehicle-and-carry system pairing that doesn’t compromise on performance or practicality.
A Rally-Inspired Daily Driver
Spencer, one of a handful of Canadian owners of the 911 Dakar, doesn’t keep his parked under a dust cover. For him, it’s a true daily driver—one that’s equally at home cruising through Vancouver’s city streets or tearing up a remote Forest Service Road in Squamish.
His car is finished in Shade Green, and it’s outfitted with 18-way comfort seats, white dials, and painted interior air vents. One of the most distinct features is the factory-installed roof rack with an integrated light bar, designed specifically for this model.
On the pavement, the Dakar accelerates from 0–60 mph in just over three seconds. But it’s not just about straight-line speed. With a raised ride height, Rallye mode, and an all-wheel-drive system tuned for traction, the Dakar thrives in the dirt. And that's what sets it apart—this is a 911 that wants to get dusty.
Yet Spencer’s fascination with the car didn’t come from nostalgia for Porsche’s 959 rally dominance in the 1980s.
“I knew about the 959 because, honestly, one day I’d love to own one. But that wasn’t what pulled me in. I always liked cars like the Audi Allroad or even the Honda Element—vehicles you could use, get dirty, and beat up a little. I wanted something fast that I could take on an adventure. That was my motivation.”
His interest was sparked when spy shots began circulating of a mysterious lifted 911 undergoing testing. The moment he saw it, he knew.
“That was it. I thought, That’s my car. It’ll still go fast, it’s totally unique, and I won’t have to baby it. As soon as I found out it was real, I got on the list. After that, it’s kind of like dating—you’ve got to show you’re the right curator for something this special.”
Carrying the Adventure: RUX in the Mix
To make his Dakar truly adventure-ready, Spencer turned to RUX. The Canadian brand builds rugged, modular storage systems designed for people who don’t just travel—they explore.
He outfitted his Dakar with a full kit of RUX gear, using the roof rack for the bulk of his loadout. What really stood out to him wasn’t just how much the system could carry—but how well it performed at speed.
“The rigidity was incredible. Nothing moved, even at highway speeds or on bumpy terrain. It’s like the RUX bins were made for this car.”
The RUX bins’ press-seal lids kept everything sealed and dry, while internal organizers helped maintain their structure, preventing any collapse or shifting during the drive. The entire setup integrated perfectly with the tight dimensions of the factory roof rack, offering maximum utility without adding unnecessary bulk or drag.
And it wasn’t just the exterior storage that counted. With the rear seats removed to accommodate the Dakar’s suspension system, there’s extra room inside for additional gear. Combine that with the traditional Porsche front trunk, and you’ve got far more storage than the typical 911—without compromising the car’s balance or character.
Not Off-Roading—Just Not Holding Back
Despite the rugged setup, Spencer is clear: this isn’t about hardcore off-roading. It’s about not being limited.
“I’m not out here with jerry cans strapped to the roof saying, ‘I’ll be back in eight hours.’ It’s more like the gravel bike analogy. A gravel bike is fast, comfortable, and if you want to cut through a trail or take a shortcut through the park, you can. It does everything well without compromising.”
He recalls owning a black-on-black manual Targa that he loved deeply—until the road ended.
“I’d take it up to Squamish, loving every curve, but when the pavement turned to gravel, that was it. I’d stop. With the Dakar, I don’t worry about that anymore. The road ends, and the adventure begins.”
If he were making Porsche's ad campaign, Spencer says he’d show a GT3 pulling up to the edge of a gravel road. The driver gets out, looks down the path, shakes his head, and turns around—just in time to be passed by a Dakar that doesn’t hesitate.
“It sounds cheesy, but that’s what this car is about. I don’t want to be stopped by what the road looks like.”
Built for This Car, and This Life
The roof rack is often the first thing people notice, and for good reason. It’s a factory option, custom-designed for the Dakar. With its integrated light bar wired directly into the roof where the antenna normally lives, it’s not something you can retrofit onto any other 911. Porsche even makes a non-light version—but for Spencer, form and function matter equally.
“At first, I thought the car might look cleaner without it. But honestly, it looks better with it. From a distance, it’s still clearly a 911—but it’s lifted, ready, and just looks like it means business.”
With the front trunk still in place and extra storage behind the front seats, the roof rack rounds out a system that works seamlessly—especially with RUX gear mounted up top.
When the Pavement Ends
The Porsche 911 Dakar and RUX modular gear share a common philosophy: don’t let utility get in the way of performance—or style.
Whether it’s carving through a mountain pass, rallying down a gravel road, or just packing up for a weekend away, this setup is built to go the distance—and look good doing it.
This isn’t about extremes. It’s about freedom. The freedom to keep going when most cars—and most gear—call it quits.
→ Discover more about RUX modular systems at rux.life
→ Explore the Porsche 911 Dakar at porsche.com
Video: Anthony Bonello
Photos: Justin Ross
