In a little more than a decade since its launch, Singer hasn’t just found a niche—it’s very successfully managed to push the boundaries with each new model, be it the way they modernise classics or the attention to detail. Out of reach for many, and an inspiration for numerous resto-mod Porsche 911s, the American company’s projects can easily be described as otherworldly. This seems to be true in the case of its latest—the Turbo Study, Singer’s first turbocharged road-going 911.
It’s still based on the type 964 911, the platform of choice for Singer. But the difference here is the engine. For the first time, in a road-going 911 resto-mod by Singer, there’s a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre ‘Mezger’ with electric wastegates and air-to-water intercoolers. It can make upwards of 456hp, and can either be rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. But irrespective of that, the gearbox is going to be a six-speed manual only; flipping great for such a car, isn’t it! Visually identical to the one on the original 911 Turbo (internal codename 930), this one also has a shark-fin motif ahead of the rear wheels, but it’s actually functional here and works as an air intake for the engine. Another bit that harks back to the 930 is the ‘whale tail’ spoiler, which looks pretty striking on the Turbo Study, complementing the hunkered-down stance of this resto-mod and the 18-inch wheels.
Since the car isn’t made for ultimate racetrack performance and is rather made to offer a mix of touring and sporting driving, it comes with the choice of touring suspension, air conditioning, cruise control, heated and electrically adjustable seats. At the same time, Singer couldn’t have compromised on the overall rigidity or lightness, hence, while the car’s appearance might make you believe it’s a 930, it is, in fact, a bespoke carbon-fibre body.
Like all Singer-restored/reimagined 911s, customisation is key here, and depending on what the owners want, the California-based outlet will be able to include ceramic brakes, more power, a sports exhaust system, a more dynamic suspension, etc. Singer also lets you exclude superfluous items, which is bound to appease those who believe in ‘less is more’ —an ideology that works really well in performance cars.
The first example of the Porsche Turbo Study 911 that Singer has released photos of is finished in Wolf Blue. It has a light Malibu Sand interior complete with contrasting Black Forest wood accents. This car’s engine makes 456hp with power sent only to the rear wheels.
Singer keeps mum about the price in its official announcement mentioning that it’s dependent on what the owner wants. Some media reports suggest that since it’s not going to be a limited-run restoration, prices can be close to the £500,000 mark. This might not be a bargain by any means, but with 70+ orders received for the Turbo Study, it looks like there are a lot of takers for this.
Singer’s founder, Rob Dickinson, said, “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.”
Well said, Rob. Well said!
Singer is going to present this result of the Turbo Study later this year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, before making a trip to Monterey Peninsula in Northern California in August.
Photo Credit: Singer
