Porsche may be best known for its track-dominating sports cars, but the brand has a rich history of off-road adventures as well. The legendary Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar proved that a high-performance 911 could thrive in the harshest environments, winning the grueling 1986 Dakar Rally.
More recently, Porsche released the 992 Dakar, a factory-built, lifted 911 designed for adventure. Even the aftermarket world has embraced the trend, with companies like Singer crafting their own off-road-ready creations, such as the ACS (All-Terrain Competition Study). However, the latest addition to this elite group comes from Marc Philipp Gemballa, who has taken the concept to the next level with the Marsien, a 750-horsepower off-road supercar built from a 911 Turbo S.
Marc Philipp Gemballa, the son of the late tuning legend Uwe Gemballa, has reimagined the Porsche 911 as a high-speed off-road beast. Named Marsien, this exclusive machine blends cutting-edge technology with rally-inspired engineering, creating a limited-run masterpiece with only 40 units produced.
The Marcien is based on the 992-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S, but it has undergone a dramatic transformation inspired by the classic 959 Dakar. The car’s entire body is crafted from carbon fiber, a material sourced from the same suppliers that work with Formula 1 teams. One of the most striking features of the Marcien is its adaptive suspension, which allows the car to switch between a standard 120mm ride height (similar to a regular 911) and a towering 250mm off-road setting.
The Marsien retains the 3.8L twin-turbo flat-six from the Turbo S, but it has been tuned by RUF to produce 750 horsepower, with an optional upgrade pushing it to 830 hp. A titanium Akrapovič exhaust system enhances performance while delivering an aggressive soundtrack.
If you want to witness the Marsien tackling challenging terrain and hear expert insights, be sure to check out the full review on Top Gear’s YouTube channel.
