Singer Vehicle Design

Singer Vehicle Design is an American company that specializes in restoring and modifying Porsche 911s.[1] It was founded by Rob Dickinson in 2009, who is also known as former frontman and guitarist of the English rock band Catherine Wheel.[2] The company is based in Los Angeles, California.

Name

The name "Singer Vehicle Design" pays homage to Porsche engineer Norbert Singer as well as acknowledging Dickinson's previous career as a vocalist.[3]

Models

Classic Study

The company's main product is a "re-imagined" 911, which is a heavily modified coupe or targa Porsche 964.[4] Singer's most well-known and sole model for 9 years, was originally simply known as the "Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer". After the introduction of other models, it began to be referred to as the "Classic Study" model.[5]

Much of the bodywork is replaced with carbon fiber body panels and the engine is reworked by engine manufacturers such as Cosworth, Ed Pink Racing Engines[6] and Williams to produce significantly more power.[7] The long hood of the Porsche 911 classic replaces the shorter hood of the Porsche 964. Relocated fuel filler and oil filler caps are a nod to historic Porsche race cars, and many of the components are bespoke and/or motorsports-grade.[8] The tachometer is often colored in Singer Orange and displays values up to 11, a reference to the up to 11 meme (though engine redline is 7,200 RPM, with 7,300 RPM limiter).[9]

The price of a 911 re-imagined by Singer starts at over $475,000.[10] Examples have sold at auction for well over $1 million.[11][12]

Dynamics & Lightweighting Study

Introduced in 2018 in partnership with Williams Advanced Engineering, the Dynamics & Lightweighting Study (DLS) features an all carbon fiber body with widened fenders, highly-tuned chassis and suspension engineering, and specially tuned motor built in partnership with Hanz Mezger.[13][14]

All-terrain Competition Study

Singer released the All-terrain Competition Study (ACS) in January 2021[15] in collaboration with Richard Tuthill of Tuthill Porsche, who specializes in rallying and safari-style Porsche 911s. The ACS is a special client request offered in two versions, for both off-road and tarmac rallying. Even as a client commissioned model, Singer announced the readiness to build for other clients as well. The ACS is Singer's first off-road and rally intended model, inspired by Porsches used in rally racing such as the 911 SC/RS, 953, and 959, but with an all-original and heavily modified design by Singer and Tuthill.[16][17]

The chassis is heavily reinforced, and features carbon fiber bodywork. The ACS has a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six paired to a five-speed sequential race transmission and permanent all-wheel drive system, with three differentials. Singer rates engine's output at 450 hp and 420 ft-lb of torque, but with tunability for different outputs catered for use in different environments. The suspension features eight total dampers, each five-way adjustable, with long suspension travel and increased ride height. The ACS interior features competition-spec bucket seats and full roll cage, with typical Singer infotainment and comfort equipment.[18][19]

The Singer ACS is priced at over $1 million.[20][21]

Porsche AG objected to Singer's usage of Porsche branding on the All-terrain Competition Study in March 2021, as Porsche had no direct involvement in the creation of the heavily-modified car based on their 911.[22] Singer then removed the ACS from its website and social media.[23][24]

Turbo Study

In June 2022, Singer unveiled the Turbo Study, their first turbocharged model to celebrate the Porsche 930 Turbo based on a 964 chassis. It features a 3.8L twin turbocharged, intercooled flat-six producing either 450 in the standard trim or 510 HP in the sports focused trim.[25] Power is sent through a 6-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. The suspension is touring-focused, and it features carbon-ceramic brakes. It also features modern amenities such as electrically adjustable and heated seats.[26] The Turbo Study was later debuted at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed.[27] With first deliveries in 2024. [28] A slant-nose version was made available with a maximum of 25 vehicles to be produced. [29]

Dynamics & Lightweighting Study – Turbo

In June 2023, Singer presented the turbocharged variant of the DLS, entitled the Dynamics & Lightweighting Study – Turbo (DLS Turbo). It is also based on the 964 chassis, with production limited to 99 vehicles [30] The DLS Turbo features more aggressive and race-inspired body styling, in homage to the Porsche Type 934/5. The DLS Turbo has a 3.8L, 4-valves per cylinder flat-six with twin turbochargers, electric wastegates, air-to-water intercooling and a horizontally mounted, electrically powered fan. This engine produces over 700 HP at more than 9000 rpm.[31]

Other products

Singer has also begun selling wrist watches.[32]

References

  1. Jason Torchinsky. The Best Porsche 911s Ever Come From This Magical Workshop Jalopnik, Gawker Media, 2013-05-13, retrieved 2018-05-07^
  2. Sam Smith. Flat Sex: Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer Road & Track, Hearst Digital Media, 2015-06-05, retrieved 2018-05-07^
  3. Jaclyn Trop. The Ultimate Porsche 911 Comes From California Fortune, Time Inc., 2017-12-24, retrieved 2018-05-07^
  4. Tom Ford. The latest Porsche modified by Singer is a map Top Gear, BBC Worldwide, 2018-04-27, retrieved 2018-05-07^
  5. Singer Has "Taken A Pause" With Porsche 911 Classic Study Orders Motor1.com, retrieved 2023-09-11^
  6. Hagerty. The Engine Builder - Ed Pink Racing Engines 2017-01-25, retrieved 2018-10-14^
  7. Ciprian Florea. Singer Teams Up With Williams To Create 500-horsepower Porsche Engines TopSpeed, 2017-08-11, retrieved 2023-09-11^
  8. Here's how Singer restores and beautifies the Porsche 911 Top Gear, 2017-11-15, retrieved 2023-09-11^
  9. Alan Cross. The Musical Reason This Porsche's Tachometer Goes Up to 11 (You Already Guessed, Right?) Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things, 2017-08-26, retrieved 2023-09-11^
  10. drinkcaffeine.com, admin. Model Masterpiece: Porsche 911 Restored by Singer Vehicle Design Premier Financial Services, 2019-05-22, retrieved 2023-09-11^
  11. Don't Want to Wait for a Porsche Reimagined by Singer? Buy This One for $1.1 Million Road & Track, 2022-02-28, retrieved 2023-09-11^
  12. Rory Jurnecka. A 911 Restored By Singer Is Being Auctioned for the First Time—and It Could Fetch $1 Million MotorTrend Magazine, Aug 6, 2019^
  13. What Makes Singer and Williams's Reimagined 911 So Wild Road & Track, 2018-10-04, retrieved 2023-09-03^
  14. Singer and Williams join forces to build light, 500-hp Porsche 911 DLS Autoblog, retrieved 2023-09-03^
  15. Alex Kierstein. Singer's Reimagined Porsche 911 Rally Racer Is Perfect for Getting Dirty MotorTrend Magazine, Jan 12, 2021^
  16. laura. Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer - All-terrain Competition Study unveiled Tuthill Porsche, 2021-02-07, retrieved 2023-09-03^
  17. Singer Just Built The Safari 911 Of Your Dreams Jalopnik, 2021-01-05, retrieved 2023-09-08^
  18. The Singer ACS is the ultimate off-road 911 www.goodwood.com, retrieved 2023-09-08^
  19. What Makes the Singer ACS a Real Desert Race Car Road & Track, 2021-01-14, retrieved 2023-09-08^
  20. Singer ACS: This Safari Porsche 911 is the last word in off-road perfection OPUMO Magazine, retrieved 2023-09-11^
  21. Singer's Custom Porsche 911 Safari, The ACS COOL HUNTING®, 2021-01-06, retrieved 2023-09-11^
  22. Singer ACS Heads Back To Drawing Board After Porsche Protests Design Motor1.com, retrieved 2023-09-08^
  23. Chris Tsui. Singer Pulls Safari ACS From Its Website and Social Media After Porsche's Lawyers Get Involved The Drive, 2021-03-09, retrieved 2023-09-08^
  24. Why Did Porsche Draw the Line at Singer's Viral Off-Road 911? InsideHook, retrieved 2023-09-08^
  25. Matthew Street. Results of Singer's Turbo Study with Added Power and Sports Focus Singer Vehicle Design, 2022-06-14, retrieved 2023-09-03^
  26. Matthew Street. Singer Presents Results of Turbo Study Singer Vehicle Design, 2022-06-06, retrieved 2023-09-03^
  27. Benjamin Neupert. Singer Presents Global Debut of Turbo Study at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2022 Singer Vehicle Design, 2022-08-15, retrieved 2023-09-03^
  28. Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer: Classic Turbo review Reviews 2024 www.topgear.com, 29 July 2024, retrieved 2024-12-27^
  29. VW ID.Buzz upfit brings peace, love, and electrons 9 August 2024^
  30. What Singer did next: We hitch a ride in the 911 DLS Turbo Study – and meet its makers | CAR Magazine^
  31. Matthew Street. Singer Presents Dynamics & Lightweighting Study - Turbo Singer Vehicle Design, 2023-06-27, retrieved 2023-09-03^
  32. Chris Perkins. Singer is Now Selling a $41,000 Watch Road & Track, Hearst Digital Media, 2017-06-08, retrieved 2018-05-08^