REMEMBER WHEN EDITH, THE SPECIALLY MODIFIED PORSCHE 911, SUMMITED A VOLCANO? NOW THERE'S A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT IT.
Porsche has a long history of pushing the limits of what a sports car can do, but even by their standards, driving a 911 to the highest altitude ever reached by a car is something truly special. While the world was enamored with the off-road-ready 911 Dakar, another breed of 992-series Porsche 911s was taking on an even more extreme challenge: climbing the slopes of Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on Earth. This ambitious project saw the creation of two extensively modified 911s, nicknamed Doris and Edith, built in collaboration with Porsche by RD Limited. With carbon fiber seats, 5-point harnesses, portal axles increasing ground clearance to a staggering 350 mm, and lightweight but incredibly tough Aramid fiber underbody protection, these were no ordinary 911s. The lead car, Edith, also featured a cutting-edge steer-by-wire system, called Space Drive, developed by Schaeffler Group. But what makes this story even more remarkable is the journey to get there - a journey that’s now been immortalized in an award-winning documentary. Now available on Prime Video in Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Edith: Porsche’s Volcano Ascent is a gripping 50-minute documentary chronicling the incredible four-and-a-half-year journey that led to the record-breaking moment in December 2023. Created by independent filmmakers TangentVector, the film takes viewers deep into the challenges faced by a small, determined team as they attempt to push a Porsche 911 beyond the limits of what was thought possible. Premiering at Monterey Car Week before winning Best Documentary Feature at the 2024 International Motor Film Awards, the documentary tells a very human story. As co-founder of TangentVector, J.F. Musial, puts it: “This project was exactly what you see in the documentary – a small team working desperately hard, recording their fears, their moments of defeat, their sense of belief, and ultimately their elation over a period of four years in near impossible conditions.”
Led by three-time Le Mans champion Romain Dumas, Edith climbed to an astonishing 6,734 meters (22,093 feet) above sea level—the highest altitude ever reached by a car. The team’s attempt was anything but easy. Battling sub-freezing temperatures, oxygen levels at half of those at sea level, and treacherous volcanic terrain, the 911’s all-wheel-drive system and Warp Connector suspension were pushed to their limits. The journey to the summit required meticulous planning, relentless effort, and more than one failed attempt. But on December 2, 2023, after setting out at 3:30 AM local time, the team reached their record-setting altitude by 15:58. They paused to take in the breathtaking view before carefully beginning the equally dangerous descent back to base camp over a thousand meters below. For Dumas, it was an unforgettable experience: “I’ll never forget this experience. It was an extraordinary feeling to drive where no car has gone before. The 911 managed to go higher than any other earthbound vehicle in history. A proud moment for the whole team.”
While Edith’s ascent was a technical and mechanical marvel, it was also an emotional journey. The documentary showcases the human side of extreme exploration - the setbacks, the frustrations, and the raw, unfiltered emotions that come with pushing beyond the boundaries of what’s considered possible. Success only came at the final moment, after two failed attempts. The project also highlights Porsche’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Edith and Doris were powered by synthetic eFuels from HIF Global’s Haru Oni pilot plant in Punta Arenas, Chile. These advanced fuels, created using renewable energy, provide a glimpse into a future where internal combustion engines can continue to thrive in a more environmentally friendly way. As Dr. Frank Walliser, Vice President of Complete Vehicle Architecture and Characteristics at Porsche AG, stated: “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.” For those who love engineering marvels, motorsport, and raw human determination, Edith: Porsche’s Volcano Ascent is a must-watch. And for those who dream of taking on their own impossible challenges, it’s an inspiring reminder that with the right team, the right mindset, and the right car, anything is possible.
Take a look at the YouTube video, well, it's actually the official preview for the award-nominated look at everything that went into modifying a Porsche 911 in all the right ways to give it the capability to summit the world’s highest volcano – Ojos del Salado in Chile: EDITH: Porsche's Volcano Ascent Trailer - Amazon Prime Video | TangentVector
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