Introducing the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer [Photo Gallery]

The Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer represents the latest services from Singer, the California-based luxury specialist that restores and reimagines classic Porsche 911s in collaboration with their owners.

Rob Dickinson: Singer’s Founder, Executive Chairman and Creative Director explains: “In the 1980’s you could order a new 911 Carrera with the pumped-up bodywork of the Turbo but powered by the company’s latest, naturally aspirated flat six. It became known as the Carrera with Super Sport Equipment. Our services reference this car and celebrate the era with a vision for an ultimate, naturally aspirated, G model 911, reimagined for the twenty-first century. At its heart is a remarkable flat-six, bringing together our learnings from the last fifteen years, and adding variable valve timing for the first time.”

Notes Mazen Fawaz, Singer’s Chief Strategy Officer: “Together with owners we’re celebrating the heritage of the Porsche 911, both for those who read every press report about their hero cars as kids, and for those who were too young to know about these incredible machines the first time around. We only work with the best, so we’ve developed partnerships with companies that have built their reputations at the very highest levels of motorsport and the automotive world. We’re committed to ensuring that every car restored by Singer is an analogue jewel – beautiful and captivating to drive above all else.”

The restoration process

The process begins when the owner of a Porsche 911 (Type 964) sends their car to Singer with the request to carry out a personalized restoration. Originally manufactured by Porsche more than thirty years ago, these sports cars have been on the road ever since, covering thousands of miles in the hands of many drivers.

The first step of the restoration involves the owner’s car being carefully disassembled. The interior is removed, as is the exterior bodywork and all mechanical components, until the steel monocoque (chassis) is revealed. The chassis is painstakingly assessed, cleaned, and prepared so that it is in optimal condition for the next stages of restoration. During this phase, chassis strengthening, developed in consultation with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, is applied to enhance the rigidity of the original Type 964 monocoque.

Engine and transmission

The engine in a 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer draws on long experience with the 911 and learnings from the DLS program, where the company’s first four-valve cylinder head was born. This expertise allows Singer to continue exploring the performance potential of the Type 964’s iconic flat-six, on behalf of its clients, through a continuous process of careful optimization and the development of a revised four-valve cylinder head. Singer have jointly developed the execution of this engine with Cosworth, who have deployed their unparalleled experience, specifically in the areas of variable valve timing, combustion chamber design and intake and exhaust path.

The engine represents multiple firsts. It is the first engine restored for a Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer to feature variable valve timing, optimizing drivability at low speeds, and power at high revs. It is also the first naturally aspirated engine restored by Singer to use water-cooled cylinder heads combined with air-cooled cylinders, utilizing learnings from the DLS Turbo program.

Together, these features help the 4.0L flat-six to develop 420HP and broaden the torque delivery across a wider range of engine speeds, while enabling owners in a growing range of countries to restore their cars through Singer’s services.

The engine will rev to over 8000 rpm and, to encourage drivers to explore that range, an optimized, six-speed, manual gearbox can be specified, sending power to the rear wheels. A raised gear shifter may be specified with an exposed shift mechanism, underlining the engineering craftsmanship. A newly developed titanium exhaust system provides free breathing for the flat-six and its famous soundtrack.

Says Dickinson:

“Porsche offered the option of a wide-bodied, naturally aspirated G model 911 Carrera for drivers in the 1980s. The Super Sport Equipment package was intended for what Porsche described as ‘the connoisseur of high performance’, incorporating uprated brakes and suspension along with its purposeful appearance. If you wanted a whale tail you could have one, if you didn’t, that was possible too. We’ve used this as inspiration for our latest services and as a home for this special engine. Hans Mezger’s masterpiece – restored, reimagined and reborn – is at the heart of the car.”

Chassis

On behalf of owners, Singer joined forces with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the high-performance engineering arm of Red Bull Technology Group, to increase the strength and torsional rigidity of the original 964 chassis through the restoration process.

Red Bull Advanced Technologies assessed the 964 chassis using their world-class capabilities in simulation and structural analysis. Their work led to the development of a chassis strengthening system, using composite and steel reinforcement, applied to the 964 monocoque at the beginning of the restoration process.

The original Type 964 monocoque remains at the heart of the car, augmented with this strengthening to provide an optimized foundation for each subsequent stage of the restoration, with increased rigidity benefitting handling, braking and overall refinement.

Heritage and cutting edge

Singer’s experience with carbon fibre enables careful balancing of iconic DNA with cutting-edge engineering and material science. While inspired by the G model cars of the 1980s, the bodywork is reimagined for aesthetic and functional performance. The use of carbon fibre allows reduced mass and enhanced stiffness, further sharpening dynamic responses in the manner that Singer’s clients have come to expect.

Inspired by the Super Sport Equipment available in period, the carbon fiber body accommodates wide front and rear bodywork. A deep front spoiler optimizes cooling and airflow at the front of the car, while intakes in the leading edges of the rear fenders direct cooling air to the engine compartment.

The 911 Carrera could be specified in period with or without the famous whale tail rear wing, and Singer’s restoration services allow today’s drivers the same choice. A fixed wing or speed-activated wing manage airflow over the rear of the car for stability at speed. High-performance auxiliary driving lights may also be specified, rising from the front hood when activated and folding down flush when not in use.

Ground control

In common with the 911 Carrera cars in period, the dynamic performance of the engine is enhanced with a sophisticated approach to suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres, enabling drivers to cover ground rapidly, where the conditions allow.

Suspension developed for Singer’s turbocharged services provides the foundation for compliant, sporting handling. New, four-way adjustable dampers with electronic damping control can be adjusted from the driver’s seat and incorporate a nose lift system.

Carbon ceramic brakes developed through the DLS services may be specified, sitting behind 18” centre-lock wheels, providing deep reserves of stopping power.

Tyre technology has developed dramatically since the end of the twentieth century and the use of the latest Michelin Pilot Sport tyres allows the restored car to transmit its power effectively to the road. The driver may select from five drive modes (Road, Sport, Track, Off and Weather) to adjust the levels of intervention from the traction control and electronic stability control, depending on the road conditions and their own capabilities.

Driver-focused interior

Singer’s restoration and modification services enable owners to personalize the interior presentation of their car according to their personal preferences, through bespoke paint, leather, and material finishes. Lightweight sports or track seats may be requested, providing the perfect driving position in combination with the raised gear shifter mechanism.

In front of the driver, the familiar 911 instrument layout is reimagined, with hand-built gauges bringing high-watchmaking standards into the cabin. Singer’s mastery of traditional leatherworking techniques allows owners to request stitched and burnished leather seams throughout the cabin for the first time. Technology is incorporated with restraint, allowing for discrete navigation and phone connectivity.

Personalization

As with every Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer, the two cars featured in this press release have been personalized by their owners, according to their individual requirements.

Specification overview – as inspiration for an owner with a touring focus:

• Type 964 chassis
• Lightweight carbon fibre bodywork in Celeste Passalacqua with speed-activated rear wing
• 4.0L, four-valves per cylinder, naturally aspirated flat-six with variable valve timing
• Six-speed manual transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• Carbon-ceramic braking system
• 18” centre-lock wheels in white
• Interior presented in Mars Pink with stitched and burnished leather seams
• Sports seats with velvet corduroy centres
• Air-conditioning, navigation and CarPlay connectivity

Specification overview – as inspiration for an owner with a sports focus:

• Type 964 chassis
• Lightweight carbon fibre bodywork in Giallo Segnale with fixed rear wing, sports-focused front splitter and high-performance auxiliary driving lights
• 4.0L, four-valves per cylinder, naturally aspirated flat-six with variable valve timing
• Six-speed manual transmission
• Rear-wheel drive
• Carbon-ceramic braking system
• 18” centre-lock wheels in white
• Interior in Black with stitched and burnished leather seams, and Interferenza cloth.
• Lightweight track seats and rear cross-brace
• Air-conditioning, navigation and Car Play connectivity

For ultimate freedom of choice, the owner may specify both sets of front and rear bodywork, with a bespoke flight case, allowing their car’s configuration to be changed as required.

Testing

Singer’s restoration services are proven through a rigorous development schedule. Test cars complete thousands of miles of intensive evaluation at some of the most famous automotive proving grounds in the world, including Millbrook in the UK, IDIADA in Spain, Nardo in Italy and the Nürburgring in Germany, where TÜV certification for Singer’s services is carried out.

Price and availability

Each restoration is unique. Every owner shares their personal preferences and requirements for bespoke engineering as part of the process of working with Singer to personalize their own 911. Prices for Singer’s restoration services are dependent on the specification requested by each car’s owner. The Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer will be limited to just 100 commissions.

Customer experience

Singer’s clientèle includes the most discerning and sophisticated drivers in the world. They are supported through the specification, restoration and ownership experience by a world-class team of experts at Singer. In a growing number of markets around the world, local support is available to owners through the company’s Global Partner Network (GPN), incorporating some of the most experienced automotive specialists in the world. GPN support is available in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia.