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Singer Vehicle Design

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Singer Vehicle Design
IndustryAutomotive
Founded2009
HeadquartersLos Angeles, CA, USA
Key people
Rob Dickinson (founder) Mazen Fawaz (CEO)
ProductsAutomobiles
Websitehttp://singervehicledesign.com

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.

Rob Dickinson (on the right) with the Singer 911

Name

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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

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Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer at the 2009 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

Classic Study

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Singer Classic Study
Singer Classic Study Interior

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

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Singer DLS

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

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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

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Singer 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

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Singer DLS Turbo

In June 2023, Singer presented the turbocharged variant of the DLS, entitled the Dynamics & Lightweighting Study – Turbo (DLS Turbo). Also based on the 964 chassis. Which production is 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

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Singer has also begun selling wrist watches.[32]

References

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  1. ^ Torchinsky, Jason (2013-05-13). "The Best Porsche 911s Ever Come From This Magical Workshop". Jalopnik. Gawker Media. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
  2. ^ Smith, Sam (2015-06-05). "Flat Sex: Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer". Road & Track. Hearst Digital Media. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
  3. ^ Trop, Jaclyn (2017-12-24). "The Ultimate Porsche 911 Comes From California". Fortune. Time Inc. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
  4. ^ Ford, Tom (2018-04-27). "The latest Porsche modified by Singer is a map". Top Gear. BBC Worldwide. Retrieved 2018-05-07.
  5. ^ "Singer Has "Taken A Pause" With Porsche 911 Classic Study Orders". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  6. ^ Hagerty (2017-01-25), The Engine Builder - Ed Pink Racing Engines | The Craftsmen Series, retrieved 2018-10-14
  7. ^ Florea, Ciprian (2017-08-11). "Singer Teams Up With Williams To Create 500-horsepower Porsche Engines". TopSpeed. 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. ^ Cross, Alan (2017-08-26). "The Musical Reason This Porsche's Tachometer Goes Up to 11 (You Already Guessed, Right?) | Alan Cross". Alan Cross' A Journal of Musical Things. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  10. ^ drinkcaffeine.com; admin (2019-05-22). "Model Masterpiece: Porsche 911 Restored by Singer Vehicle Design". Premier Financial Services. 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. ^ Jurnecka, Rory (Aug 6, 2019). "A 911 Restored By Singer Is Being Auctioned for the First Time—and It Could Fetch $1 Million". MotorTrend Magazine.
  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. ^ Kierstein, Alex (Jan 12, 2021). "Singer's Reimagined Porsche 911 Rally Racer Is Perfect for Getting Dirty". MotorTrend Magazine.
  16. ^ laura (2021-02-07). "Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer - All-terrain Competition Study unveiled". Tuthill Porsche. 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 | GRR". 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. ^ Tsui, Chris (2021-03-09). "Singer Pulls Safari ACS From Its Website and Social Media After Porsche's Lawyers Get Involved". The Drive. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
  24. ^ "Why Did Porsche Draw the Line at Singer's Viral Off-Road 911?". InsideHook. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
  25. ^ Street, Matthew (2022-06-14). "Results of Singer's Turbo Study with Added Power and Sports Focus". Singer Vehicle Design. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  26. ^ Street, Matthew (2022-06-06). "Singer Presents Results of Turbo Study". Singer Vehicle Design. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  27. ^ Neupert, Benjamin (2022-08-15). "Singer Presents Global Debut of Turbo Study at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2022". Singer Vehicle Design. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  28. ^ https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/porsche-911-reimagined-by-singer-turbo-study-first-drive [bare URL]
  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. ^ Street, Matthew (2023-06-27). "Singer Presents Dynamics & Lightweighting Study - Turbo". Singer Vehicle Design. Retrieved 2023-09-03.
  32. ^ Perkins, Chris (2017-06-08). "Singer is Now Selling a $41,000 Watch". Road & Track. Hearst Digital Media. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
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