Singer presents its first turbocharged Porsche 911
So-called Turbo Study heralds a 'new chapter' in famed tuner's restoration services
Now established more than a decade ago, you know what to expect from a Singer Vehicles Design build. It could be argued a lot of the current restomod fascination owes its popularity to what a man called Rob in California saw as possible for the 964. But now Singer is set to offer customers something quite different alongside the current offering: it's very first turbocharged car.
The option of forced induction wouldn't typically be a hugely significant move, but we're talking about a reimagination of the 911 Turbo, which is some responsibility to take on as it is perhaps the most famous 911 there's been. Not least with the absurdly high bar set by the naturally aspirated cars. What you see here is the Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer - Turbo Study, the first forced induction car in the company's history.
While still based on a 964, the Turbo Study pays homage to the 930 Turbo with touches like the whaletail spoiler and the carbon bodywork which pays homage to a 70s' 911 yet promises "to optimise aesthetic and functional performance". The interior, too, so often a highlight of Singer builds, is a little different to what we're used to, here in Malibu Sand with Black Forest wood.
The most interesting details, however, are under the skin. Still using the Mezger flat-six, now with 3.8-litres of capacity, the Turbo Study actually has two 'chargers. There's an electric wastegate and unique intercoolers for this project, as well as new intakes to funnel in cool air. For the customer of this particular car, power is set around 450hp, but that is quite literally the starting point. Though Singer talks of enhanced refinement and turbo torque for overtaking on high-speed tours, it also says that "power may be tailored to each owner's specification." Presumably 3.8-litres, six cylinders and two turbos can produce a chunk more than 450hp, should a buyer wish to create a modern-day widowmaker. A six-speed manual remains the only gearbox option.
Also interesting is the all-wheel drive option, first envisioned by Singer in 2014 with the AWD Classic Study. Following the evolution of that technology and calls from customers, whatever the finished Turbo Study is called will be offered with two- or four-driven wheels. Singer says the former is there for "an alternative sporting focus", with AWD for "sure-footed deployment of power and torque in all seasons and surface conditions.
In fact, the research that went into this Turbo Study would suggest that Singer's customers are after a car they can use more frequently, which is heartening. The new model boasts upgraded brakes to deal with the extra performance (with ceramics as an option), traction control, cruise control and even the possibility of heated electric seats for "cold-climate driving and for convenience on high-speed road networks." If only the customer being right always looked this good.
Singer boss Rob Dickinson said of the Wolf Blue Turbo Study: "My first ever ride in a Porsche 911 as an 11-year-old in 1976 left me dry-mouthed and speechless - it was a black 930 Turbo with red tartan seats. Forty-five years on from that life-changing moment I'm excited to present the results of our study that aims to capture the awesome thrill of Porsche's first 'supercar' while reimagining its performance and refinement and collaborating with owners to take both to new heights. I believe it's a fitting tribute to a car that changed my life and many others."
Like every Singer commission thus far, the real-life Turbo Study will be individually tailored to each customer, with the car made as luxurious or as sporting as required. Given a 911 Turbo can span from everyday supercar to GT2 RS, there seems little reason why the same bandwidth couldn't be applied to the Singer line-up.
Unsurprisingly, there's plenty of interest in the Turbo Study from those involved in its creation - more than 70 existing owners already have their name down for "bespoke restorations enabled by the study." The real thing will be running at Festival of Speed in June ahead of those restorations - and surely dozens more by then - going into build. There's more to come, too, with Singer promising that the "definitive collection of iconic design will continue to grow". Where exactly you go from a Porsche 911 like this isn't clear, but knowing Singer you can guarantee it'll be something spectacular.
I'm sure there'll be people moaning about the originals being chopped up to make these but I think more power to Singer and their clients; having seen one in the wild I know the quality and finish of these cars are way above anything Porsche themselves ever did back in the day.
king perfect.
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