2022 Gemballa's Marsien: The Luxurious $700k Off-Roading Porsche 911
by AutoExpert | 15 July, 2021
The glory to the Porsche 959 that competed in the Paris-Dakar race is finally here, thanks to Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH. The 2022 Gemballa's Marsien is a high-riding, all-wheel-drive Porsche Turbo S with a carbon-fiber body.
The automaker said today that only 40 of these rally-inspired 911s will be produced, with half of them already sold. The title, which means "Martian" in French, was motivated by the red sands of the UAE's Al Faya desert, where the firm developed the car.
Marc Philipp Gemballa says: "We felt as if we were on a completely different planet. We could not even think of a more appropriate name for our first project because it looked and felt like we were on Mars, along with the sleek design and the vehicle's off-road functionality.”
2022 Gemballa's Marsien is modeled on a Porsche 911 Turbo S from the 992 generation, but its twin-turbo flat-six engine has been tuned by Porsche specialists RUF to add 100 hp. 2022 Marsien produces 740 hp (750 PS/552 kW) as standard, but selective buyers can request that the engine be upgraded to 818 hp (830 PS/610 kW). The torque peaks at 686 lb-ft (930 Nm), and a lightweight Akrapovic exhaust system completes the package.
This power, combined with the car's lightweight carbon fiber body and eight-speed PDK gearbox, allows it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in just 2.6 seconds and then to a maximum speed of 205 mph (330 km/h), though only on-road tires. Marsien, unlike most 911s, isn't just about on-road power. It comes with Michelin Ultra-High-Performance on-road tires and All-Terrain off-road tires.
Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH teamed with KW Automotive to build a suspension system that can raise the suspension from its stock ride height to up to 250 mm (9.8 inches) of ground clearance at the touch of a button, in addition to the All-Terrain tires.
However, this isn't a case of just adding hydraulic shocks. The suspension was totally reworked, with a new double-wishbone system in front, stronger Porsche Cayenne joints for the enlarged driveshafts, and solid-piston dampers with sophisticated active damper adjustment for on- and off-road use. The Gravel, Mud, Sand, and Snow modes have been added to the suspension and motor.
If you don't plan on using your new 2022 Marsien on the road often, Reiger Suspension offers a fixed ride-height suspension with comprehensive rally tuning. In either case, you'll get an aluminum skid plate to secure the car's underneath from scratches.
Alan Derosier, who is known for many Porsche design studies, was in charge of the bodywork. The team used KLK, a team with aero experience in the field from Le Mans, Formula E, and Formula 1 racing, to ensure that the car didn't only look stylish.
The entire body of the new Marsien is comprised of carbon fiber, as stated earlier, and a bare carbon version is available. However, if you'd like a little more color in your life, Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH claims to be able to accommodate any customer requirement. The car in these images has a ceramic coating and a triple-layer pearl white paint with glittering flakes. To offer contrast, certain parts such as the front splitter, side flaps, and wing mirrors are kept bare carbon.
The inside has been redesigned, which will undoubtedly satisfy Porsche lovers. The center console is elevated and made of carbon fiber, with a plaque displaying the car's production number inserted in it, taking influence from the Carrera GT. It also boasts carbon fiber side sills, GT-style door lashes, and carbon accents throughout the cabin. Leather seats with the company's symbol are also available, which can be personalized to the customer's preferences.
Marc Philipp Gemballa GmbH charges €495,000 (USD 585,000) for all of its services, plus the cost of a Porsche Turbo S, which is now valued at USD 207,000. We're starting to see why there will just be 40 of these, yet with billionaires racing to space, this may no longer seem so pricey. The 2022 Marsien's production will begin later this year, according to the company.