Ten Years at the Top – Singer Vehicle Design
Words by Raj Hunjan
Singer Vehicle Design tore up the rule book on restoring classic air cooled 911s. Their creations have divided opinions since they first started out ten years ago, and continue to do so. Taking 964 series 911s and turning them into million dollar plus modern interpretations of the high water mark in the aircooled world is bold. Adding the finest of everything everywhere, titanium, magnesium, carbon fibre and gold to name some of the exotic materials turns an icon into a God for some.
The purity of the 964 is well and truly morphed into a glitzy, trophy car for many. However even those that don’t want one can’t help but admire the engineering and finishing that goes into every car. “This year marks a series of milestones for Singer Vehicle Design,” said Rob Dickinson, founder and creative director for Singer. “Not only are we celebrating our 10th year of business, but we have delivered our 100th commission and are now able to present the results of the Dynamics and Lightweighting Study – undertaken with an alliance of iconic partners.
As announced in November 2017, the project began when Singer client and Porsche enthusiast Scott Blattner, requested lightweighting and high-performance enhancements for his 1990 Porsche 964. To meet the goals defined in collaboration with Scott, Singer engaged Williams and globally-renowned technical partners to engineer a selection of restoration and modification services strongly oriented toward lightweighting and dynamic gains.
Singer Vehicle Design (SVD) fit a normally aspirated, air- cooled Porsche flat-six, developed by Williams Advanced Engineering with technical advice and consultancy from Hans Mezger. The engine is a very special unit, sporting a 4.0 litre displacement, titanium valves, 4 per cylinder, dual overhead cam with headline figures of 500 hp at a heady 9,000 rpm. In the engine alone there is extensive use of magnesium and lightweight materials to reduce mass. Other details include lightweight throttle bodies with F1-inspired upper and lower injectors to enhance performance and drivability and an optimized oiling system to improve lubrication and cooling to cope with any climate during high performance driving on the road or track.
Updating a 30 year old Porsche design which is timeless and has a huge following is a tough act, Singer partnered with Williams Advanced Engineering to carry out the seemingly impossible. Every surface on the car re-assessed through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis which resulted in the elimination of front axle lift through redesign of front oil-cooler intake and venting, together with new front splitter. The team didn’t stop there, they also optimized one of the most iconic aerodynamic devices of the twentieth century – the ducktail spoiler. A roof-channel and roof/rear window spoiler work with the optimized ducktail and diffuser to generate downforce at rear. The engine intake system was also reworked to enhance cooling performance through side- window ram-air intakes and rear deck-lid venting.
Adding lightness to an already featherweight car is a huge challenge, Singer once again enlisted Williams Advanced Engineering with RLE to apply their Formula 1 know how into the Singer 911 formula. Williams carried out a full weight- down study, focussing on torsional stiffness, mass efficiency and driver environment. The weight distribution was altered to optimize chassis balance by moving the engine forward and relocating some support components into the front trunk area. Even though the Singer 911 you see in these pictures looks like a 964 with bodykit, this couldn’t be further from reality. What you see here is a car with a full carbon fibre body, with every panel being unique to it. There is no carry over from the donor vehicle that Singer used to build this dynamic and lightweight 911.
The Singer 911 doesn’t just wow in looks and headline performance terms, Singer Vehicle Design have thoroughly redrawn the electronics and technology sitting in the car. Singer partnered with Bosch to install bespoke ABS, traction control and electronic stability control (ESC) systems specifically calibrated for this DLS 911. They also developed switchable driving modes including the option for traction control and stability systems to be turned completely off.
Given the attention to detail on all other aspects of the DLS 911, you won’t be surprised to learn that the suspension has also been redesigned from the ground up by Singer with Williams Advanced Engineering. The front suspension on this car is a lightweight multi-link, double wishbone, suspension system. The rear is also a lightweight, aluminium, rear trailing arm, with integral brake cooling. The dampers are items of beauty on their own, totally bespoke mass-optimized dampers with remote adjustment.
Hewland worked on the transmission and drivetrain, they developed and a 6-speed gearbox, using magnesium casings with hollow shafts for maximum reduction of rotating mass. They had to reduce the length of the unit to allow for the repositioning of the engine more forward in the 911 to optimize weight distribution as mentioned earlier. This DLS 911 makes use of motorsport-style tripod joints, centre-lock wheel carriers and modern materials.
Singer Vehicle Design worked with the biggest name in braking, Brembo, to install the latest technology CCM-R carbon ceramic high performance, lightweight discs for both road and track use. The brake calipers are lightweight, monobloc type units specifically designed for this car. The tyres were specially developed by Michelin because Singer weren’t happy with how the off-the-rack tyres sat on the rim, the side wall bulged too much for their liking! Michelin delivered a bespoke-sized Pilot Sport Cup 2s developed by Michelin’s Development and Manufacturing team in Greenville, South Carolina. The tyre is a Bi-Compound asymmetric design, and Variable Contact Patch 3.0 technology with the fronts measuring 245/35/18 and the rears are 295/30/18.
The aforementioned rims were provided by none other than BBS Motorsport, developed under the guidance of Williams Advanced Engineering. They are ultra lightweight 18” forged magnesium, monobloc, with centre-locks mounting. The centre- lock mechanism was developed by Williams and is constructed from high strength aluminium and titanium.
Getting the seating right is essential in a high performance vehicle, Singer turned to the biggest name in car seating, Recaro to develop and lightweight carbon fibre sports seat for the DLS 911. To complement the seating and interior, MOMO provided a lightweight carbon-fibre steering wheel, a nod to previous hot 911s sporting their wheel.
“The Dynamics and Lightweighting Study has been years in the making. To see the results, representing the ongoing pursuit of our client’s vision for their ultimate air-cooled 911, is so exciting. We’ve worked relentlessly to present a machine that visually celebrates the past while acknowledging the future – both inside and out. It’s incredibly exciting to play a role at historic Pebble Beach – as a small company, we’re thrilled to share our innovation on the concept lawn amongst world debuts and one-off prototypes.” Rob Dickinson, Founder and Creative Director.
Singer Vehicle Design have raised to bar once again with the DLS 911, they were already at the pinnacle, which begs the question, did they need to? And there in lies the rub, there wasn’t a need for Singer 10 years ago, yet they launched into the Porsche world with confidence and delivered on everything they set out to achieve. They got noticed for building the ultimate 911, low production was always the plan, not mass appeal. This is the 911 for the top level connoisseur. 10 years on they are still pushing the envelope, which should be and is applauded. I look forward to another ten years of Singer Vehicle Design tearing up the rulebook!
To see our full Singer Vehicle Design 911 DLS image gallery click here.
