An All Terrain 911!

There seems to be a growing trend for car buyers to invest in Restomods, often of quite modern cars but with retro features. This is a trend that I can fully understand as it provides a car with modern comforts and safety features in a distinctive package. Its not cheap but given that your base car will be secondhand and the completed project unique, for some it will be an affordable alternative to an everyday executive motor.

I will be honest though my main motivation with this article is to share some superb photography. See the gallery at the end of this article.

KALMAR Automotive has revealed its first water-cooled ‘Adventure Range’ 911. Inspired by the KALMAR RS – short for ‘Rally Special’ – the RS-6 is based on a 996-generation Porsche 911. With 964 and 993 prices still rising, the RS-6 offers a lower price entry point into ‘go anywhere’ overland ability whilst retaining the same high levels of practicality, usability and rewarding driving dynamics as its original air-cooled relations. Following 12 months of testing, the RS-6 made its debut at on the frozen lakes of Lapland in temperatures that reached -35°C.

Despite its formidable off-road abilities, the lightweight (1,440kg) KALMAR RS-6 has been created to remain a very capable sports car, equally at home on the ice as it is traversing tricky mountain passes and arid deserts, or negotiating fast, sweeping road routes. 

Each RS-6 conversion is bespoke, at its heart sits an original, characterful and well-proven Mezger water-cooled Porsche flat-six engine. The KALMAR RS-6 can be based on the 996-generation Carrera 2, Carrera 4 or Turbo platforms, and available in left- or right-hand-drive, with six-speed manual or Tiptronic gearbox options. It starts with a healthy power output of at least 300bhp as standard, with a menu of tuning options available to hike power to well over 500bhp. A bespoke limited-slip differential, for added traction, is standard.

It features a unique, robust suspension arrangement including “inverted” front shock absorbers for improved reliability alongside an 80mm higher ride height, resulting in total ground clearance of 210mm – equivalent to that of an E2 generation Porsche Cayenne. KALMAR Automotive’s bespoke adjustable shock absorbers, custom spring set, roll centre adjusting subframe kit, engineered top mounts, bushes, upgraded driveshafts and a strut brace – to better distribute loads across the front axle – combine to cope with the higher pitch and yaw exerted. At each corner are lightweight, narrow 6×16” alloy wheels paired with all-terrain or World Rally Championship-style spiked Michelin winter tyres.

For those who want to take things one stage further, KALMAR offers an optional adaptive shock absorber upgrade where valving is continuously monitored and adjusted according to surface and pitch, with body roll being controlled electronically. Further options include hydraulic lift shock absorbers, enabling the ride height to be lowered by 50mm for on-road driving at the press of a button, turning the RS-6 from capable off-roader to low-slung sports car in seconds.

Equipping those seeking more extreme expeditions are a roof-mounted survival kit comprising jerry cans and spare wheels carrier and a high output auxiliary LED light bar, included as standard. All aspects can be tailored to specific tastes, as can the exterior aesthetic, with a bespoke livery designed in collaboration with the customer available, ensuring that each RS-6 is unique.

Pricing for the RS-6 range starts at EUR 45,000 plus taxes and donor car. For more information on the RS-6 and KALMAR Automotive visit www.kalmarautomotive.com.