A modified Porsche 911 breaks the altitude record by driving to a higher altitude than any other earthbound vehicle. Romain Dumas, a three-time Le Mans champion, set a new world record at the Ojos del Salado volcano in Chile.
The record breaking feat took place on December 2, with Dumas driving a current 911 Carrera 4S named “Edith”. Interestingly the cars were also using a special blend of eFuels to cope with the thin air. The eFuels were produced at the HIF pilot plant “Haru Oni” in Punta Arenas, a project initiated by Porsche. Dumas’ climb surpassed the previous record set in 2020 during a run up Mont Blanc.
The 443-horsepower 3.0 liter six cylinder boxer engine remained in its stock form and was paired with the standard seven speed manual transmission in the cars.
Two Porsches were chosen for the mission, equipped with portal axles for increased ground clearance and Aramid fiber underbody protection. The project marked a return for the car and the team to the Ojos del Salado volcano, as they had visited in 2022 and achieved an exploratory run exceeding 6,000 meters.
The expedition was supported by an international team from several countries, including Chile, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, and Switzerland. Commercial sponsors included the Schaeffler Group, Mobil 1, BFGoodrich, and TAG Heuer.
The team faced extreme conditions of thin air at high altitudes and freezing temperatures. After the descent from the volcano, Dumas expressed, “I’ll never forget this experience. It was an extraordinary feeling to drive where no car has gone before. The Porsche 911 breaks the altitude record when it managed to go higher than any other earthbound vehicle in history. We reached a point where we were met by the true summit of the west ridge — we could go no higher. So this really was the maximum altitude that can be achieved.”
The lead car was fitted with a special piece of technology called steer by wire, developed by Schaeffler Group, as stated by Porsche. “The system called Space Drive was capable of meeting the unique and extreme demands of the volcano and the terrain. The system offering precision and detailed feedback to allow Dumas to place the car precisely where he needed it. This was often while ascending precarious and near vertical slopes,” the carmaker said.