New Roof Tent Turns 911 into Sporty Camper

Roof tents have become a popular automotive accessory, and Porsche has jumped on the trend with its own version.

The genuine accessory tent is compatible with the Cayenne and Macan crossover SUVs, the Panamera hatchback, the Taikan electric sedan, and most versions of the 911 sports car with or without roof rails, Porsche said in a press release Thursday The company said in a press release on Thursday. However, it cannot be installed on the 911 GT3, Targa, Cabriolet, or 718 Boxster/Cayman.

The tent can be folded into a hard shell for transport and provides 82.6" x 51.1" of floor space when deployed at the campsite. The walls are made of a breathable cotton blend, and a polyfoam mattress is built into the floor. The tent also comes with two windows, an insect guard, blackout curtains, and a rain cover for the doorway.

Setup is fairly easy. Open the hard shell, unfold the tent, place the telescoping ladder on the ground, and set up the poles. The tent weighs 123 pounds and can withstand a stationary weight of 418 pounds for vehicles with roof rails and 308 pounds for vehicles without roof rails. Porsche recommends that drivers not exceed 80 mph with the tent secured to the vehicle.

Purchasers can choose between a two-tone black/light gray or black/dark gray hard case, which also includes the Porsche logo. The interior color is light gray only. Porsche plans additional accessories such as an inner tent, a heated blanket, and a shoe and bag organizer.

Deliveries are expected to begin in Europe in November, with a starting price equivalent to $4,958 at current exchange rates. This is much higher than shoppers can expect to spend at REI. So far, Porsche has not confirmed U.S. sales.