Dauer 962 Le Mans
| Dauer 962 Le Mans | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Dauer Sportwagen |
| Also called | Dauer 962 Dauer 962 LM |
| Production | 1993-1997 |
| Designer | Achim Storz of Porsche |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supercar |
| Body style | 2-door Group C race car |
| Layout | Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Related |
Porsche 962 Schuppan 962CR Koenig C62 DP Motorsports DP962 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.0L Porsche Type 935 KKK twin-turbocharged Flat-6 730 hp @ 7400 rpm 517 lb·ft @ 5000 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 4650 mm (183.1 in) |
| Width | 1985 mm (78.1 in) |
| Height | 1050 mm (41.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 1080 kg (2381 lb) |
The Dauer 962 Le Mans is a sports car based on the Porsche 962 racing car. Built by German Jochen Dauer's Dauer Racing, a racing version of this car went on to win the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans with the support of Porsche through the use of regulation loopholes.
The win in 1994 makes it the first GT1 sports car to finish 1st in the Le Mans event.
The first production car debuted at the 1993 Frankfurt Auto Show.
Dauer Racing (now Dauer Sportwagen) produced the 962 Le Mans from stripped down Porsche 962 bodies for modification.
Components of the bodywork were replaced with slightly revised carbon fibre and kevlar panels. The under tray was replaced with a flat version for better stability at high speeds. A second seat and leather upholstery were installed in the cramped cockpit, as well as a video screen for DVD playback in later years. A small compartment was added to the front of the car to carry luggage. A hydraulic suspension system was also added to meet German ride height requirements for street cars.
The 962 Le Mans uses nearly the same engine as the racing 962: Porsche's water-cooled Type-935 2994 cc Flat-6 with two Kühnle, Kopp und Kausch AG turbochargers. Since the road car did not have to meet racing regulations, the air restrictor was removed allowing for an output of approximately 730 hp (544 kW). The 5-speed racing gearbox was also retained.
The drivetrain also stood the same, being rear-wheel-drive.
A top speed of 251.4 mph (404.6 km/h) was independently measured in 1998. Other performance figures included a 0-62.1 mph (100 km/h) in 2.8 seconds and 0-124.3 mph (200 km/h) in 7.3 seconds. The Dauer 962 was called the 'fastest street-legal production car in the world' in the Evo September 2003 issue.
Following rule changes in the World Sportscar Championship in 1992 which saw Porsche 962 numbers dwindle in Europe, including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche was looking for ways to continue their sports car efforts. Although 962s were still legal at Le Mans, the cars were no longer competitive against the top entrants in its class.
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