It looks like bringing retro names and shapes is all the rage these days in the automotive world. Marc Philipp Gemballa, a boutique German automaker, has just revealed a new four-wheel-drive machine aptly dubbed the Gembella Marsien (From these launch images, it looks as though this 959 is on Mars, but it's actually the sand dunes of Arabia), which takes inspiration from the Porsche 959 Safari from the 80s. The Marsien is based on a heavily modified version of the current Porsche 911 Turbo S.

2021 Marc Phillipp Gemballa Marsien - a Modern Take on the Iconic Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar Winner

Specifications
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  • Model: 2021 Marc Phillipp Gemballa Marsien - a Modern Take on the Iconic Porsche 959 Paris-Dakar Winner
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Gemballa Overview

Marc is the 27-year-old son of famed tuner Uwe Gemballa, who has envisioned this "genetically hybrid" monster. You may recognize the name Gemballa as being one of the world's most prominent tuners.

Marc Gemballa has previously worked at Aston Martin

Mercedes Benz & Porsche and has now opted to launch his own business. Marc's new venture has nothing to do with Gemballa and did not begin under the supervision of Gemballa GmbH.

The base for the Build

It's been over three decades since the renowned Porsche 959 debuted in the famed Paris-Dakar rally, where it scored its one and only win in its second appearance, adding a distinctive mark to the German automaker's accomplishments.

The Project Sandbox is now the Gemballa Marsien and is a vehicle inspired by the iconic Porsche 959 Safari from the mid-80s. The Marsien is based on the 992 gen Porsche 911 Turbo S.

Design

This bespoke body has been created by Alan Derosier, and features a complete carbon-fiber construction, with only the glasshouse and headlights shared with the stock car. Those big front and rear fender flares, that iconic wing, and hip-mounted air intakes characterize the new design, all of which are reminiscent of the classic 959, but now more so with a focus on taking the car off the beaten path.

That massive rear wing especially with the light bar was a signature design element of the 959 and doesn’t look out of place today, considering how lightbars are now making a comeback.

Inside, with perhaps the exception of tailor-made trim, which may be personalized to customers' requirements, the interior remains largely unchanged to the stock Porsche. Each Marsien can be specified with a paint-to-sample option or a raw carbon fiber body. The aerodynamic body kit was designed by KLK Motorsport.

Performance

The engine has received a considerable number of upgrades, which were made by Porsche tuner, RUF. They include upgraded variable turbine turbochargers, an engine remap, and a stronger PDK transmission to further boost the performance characteristics of the Marsien.

Other well-known firms that have also partnered with Marc to achieve this ambitious project, like Akrapovic for example who have worked on the new titanium exhaust system and KW Automotive who has worked on the suspension, which includes a Cayenne derived double-wishbone front suspension layout with stronger joints and a unique driveshaft. Customers can also order an additional off-road kit with a preset ride height that is fixed, as well as off-road specialized dampers.

The Marsien, also features a revolutionary solid-piston damper setup that allows for an adjustable ride height which can either be adaptive or adjusted hydraulically. The Marsien is built to sit at the same level as a conventional Turbo S, but the car can now be lifted to 9.84 inches which will come in handy in tricky off-road situations.

All Marsiens come standard with a full-length underbody aluminum skid plate, as well as a selection of two custom forged center-lock wheel styles shod either in Michelin UHP or All-Terrain rubber. Each of these variables can be tweaked employing the car's integrated driver modes, which include four off-road modes: Mud, Gravel, sand, and snow. They can be switched on the fly with a steering-mounted knob. 

Gemballa Marsien Technical Specifications

Base vehicle:

Porsche 911 Turbo S (992 Series)

Engine:  

RUF upgraded twin-turbocharged flat-six engine

Power (hp):      

750 up to 830 hp (Series: 650 hp)

Power (kW):      

552 kW (Series: 478 kW)

Max. torque:      

930 Nm torque (Series: 800 Nm torque)

Vmax:  

330 km/h (with on road tyre set only)

0-100 km/h:   

2.6 seconds (with on road tyre set only)

Exhaust:  

Bespoke Akrapovič titanium exhaust system

Suspension:       

Double wishbone front suspensionMulti-link rear suspensionKW Automotive solid piston dampers with two electronic valves and semi-active Dynamic Damper and Chassis Control (KW DDCC) and adjustable ride height via Hydraulic Lift System (HLS)

Ground clearance: 

250 mm in off-road mode / 120 mm in on road mode

Dimensions:  

L 4714 / W 2030 / H 1450 (in off-road mode)

Wheels & Tyres:      

On road wheel set - Bespoke 20"/21" forged aluminium wheels with centre lock system in with Michelin Ultra High-Performance tyresOff-road wheel - set Bespoke 19"/20" MPG forged aluminium wheels with centre lock system in with All Terrain tyres (Vmax 210 km/h)

Exterior:  

Full carbon fibre body

Interior:    

Fully bespoke full leather / Alcantara interior with carbon fibre accents


Conclusion

The Gemballa Marsien is the first amongst a series of special limited edition vehicles that will be designed and developed by Marc Gemballa. It took Marc nearly two years to materialize this super off-roader. In Europe, the Marsien costs an eye-watering €495,000 ( $587,000) excluding taxes and the base 911 donor Porsche. But I guess that is a small price to pay if you've always dreamt of a modern iteration of the 959. Since Porsche hasn't done it yet, Gemballa has jumped on it. Production numbers for the Marsien are obviously small and are limited to just 40 examples with half of them already being spoken for.

Catch this exclusive footage of the Gemballa Marsien taking on the dunes of the Arabian desert