+22 Kalmar reinterprets Porsche 959 with 930 hp restomod
Based on a Porsche 993 chassis and 992 powertrain, Kalmar Automotive brings this exhilarating new take on the Porsche 959, dubbed Kalmar 9X9.
The 959 is one of Porsche’s ultimate road cars. Originally developed as a test bed for four-wheel drive, Porsche’s first plan for the 959 was to produce a Group B rally contender. Porsche used it in the Paris-Dakar rally raid in 1985 and 1986, winning with René Metge in ’86. By that time, the FIA had banned Group B. Porsche pushed on with the project, though, and presented what was effectively its first supercar. With 450 hp and a top speed of 317 kph, the 959 was instant poster material for many a boy’s room.
Usable on the street
Cue 2024, where Kalmar Automotive from Denmark revives that boyish enthusiasm, with this; the 9X9. It’s a modernized take on the 959. Just as Porsche did, a 911 forms the basis. In this case, we are talking about the chassis of 993. Kalmar Automotive explains the choice for the 993 as a practical one, as it helps them with homologation in both Europe and the United States.
Three types
Mechanics come from the 992-model, which is made clear in the interior as well. Kalmar Automotive’s 9X9 comes in different forms. The ‘regular’ model with the 3.8 Turbo S engine and four-wheel drive can produce up to 930 hp. It weighs 1430 kg – almost identical to the original 959 – with the PDK double clutch gearbox. A sports version with the 3-litre Turbo brings 650 hp, 4WD and a seven-speed manual. For the purists, there is a lightweight (1250 kg) 9X9 with the naturally-aspirated 4-litre flat-six, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual. Both the 9X9 and the 9X9 will reach 340 kph, whereas the lightweight does 310 kph. In its fastest configuration, a 9X9 will hit 100 kph in 2 seconds.
1450 kg of downforce
As is evident from the design – clearly linked to the original 959 but with a much more sophisticated under- and sidebody treatment – the Kalmar Automotive 9X9 generates effectively tons of downforce. That is literally so. At 130 kph, downforce measures 157 kilograms. That becomes 1450 kg at its peak. The 9X9 is a carbon masterpiece, set to perform according to the highest standards. It has composite brakes all around, with titanium callipers produced by Carbobrake.
Danisi Engineering in Italy will assemble the cars. Kalmar Automotive assures a full road homologation is possible, with the German TÜV overseeing the process in Europe. No word on the price yet, but we guess it’s expensive.
