AssetID: 53300831
Headline: RAW VIDEO: Driver Romain Dumas Takes Porsche 911 To Highest Altitude Ever Achieved By A Car
Caption: Racing driver Romain Dumas achieved a groundbreaking world record atop the west ridge of Chile's Ojos del Salado volcano on 2 December 2023. He steered a modified Porsche 911 fuelled by eFuels to an altitude of 6,734 metres above sea level - the highest a car has ever been. Supported by an international team from Chile, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, and Switzerland, Dumas faced extreme conditions, battling half-as-dense air at high altitudes and temperatures plummeting to approximately 20 degrees below freezing. Upon his descent, Dumas revealed the extraordinary sensation of driving where no car had been before. “I’ll never forget this experience. It was an extraordinary feeling to drive where no car has gone before,” he said. “The 911 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. A proud moment for the whole team – and we’re grateful for the support and belief of all of our partners, each of whom made this possible.” The expedition, featuring two significantly modified Porsche 911 models nicknamed 'Doris' and 'Edith,' garnered support from HIF Global, Schaeffler Group, Mobil 1, BFGoodrich, and TAG Heuer. Dr. Frank Walliser, Vice President at Porsche AG, lauded the remarkable accomplishment, saying: “Congratulations to the whole team – a remarkable and inspiring achievement. This project began as a ‘what if’ and I’m so proud to work for a company that really believes in pushing the boundaries and learning by exploring. The two 911 models that were used on this expedition were powered by eFuels, which are produced in the HIF pilot planned Haru Oni in Punta Arenas, which was initiated by us, and are blended per the currently applicable fuel regulations afterwards.” Clara Bowman, COO, HIF Global, added: “We’re thrilled by this result, and to have been part of this close and passionate team working on such a special project. This is an emphatic demonstration of the capability of HIF Global synthetic eFuels, performing in the most extreme and demanding conditions imaginable. To set a new record after so long is an awesome achievement.” The record-setting journey marked the third visit of the car and the team to the Ojos del Salado volcano, having explored it in 2022 and surpassed 6,000 meters on an exploratory run. The peak altitude reached, equivalent to 1,934 meters beyond the summit of Mont Blanc, surpassed the 2020 record by reaching 6,694 metres. The modified Porsche 911 models, 'Doris' and 'Edith,' underwent extensive adaptations to navigate challenging terrains, including portal axles, lightweight underbody protection, and steer-by-wire technology provided by Schaeffler Group. The cars, running on HIF eFuels created in Chile, showcased the potential near-net CO₂ neutral use of combustion engines, aligning with Porsche's commitment to eFuels and e-mobility. In fact, the expedition took more of a toll on the driver and support team than the cars! The team took two weeks to slowly acclimatize to the altitudes, slowly gaining in height day after day. They closely monitored not only their altitude but also their heartrate, sleeping patterns and calorie burn via Connected smart watches, provided by Tag Heuer. This was overseen by two doctors who formed part of the team due to the remoteness of the location and the ever-present risk of altitude sickness and other risks to health brought on by the mix of the thin air and freezing temperatures. This extraordinary feat, blending cutting-edge automotive technology with a commitment to sustainable fuels, showcases the spirit of exploration and innovation.
Keywords: porsche,feature,photo,video,mountain,911,motoring,science
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