Singer creates rally-spec Porsche 911 06 | 01 | 2021

PORSCHE SPECIALISTS SINGER has created a turbo-charged, all-wheel-drive competition car in partnership with 911 Rally and Motorsport Specialist Richard Tuthill. Built at the request of a long-term client, the All-Terrain Competition Study (ACS), is a 964-generation project that’s inspired by Porsche’s rallying history. (Related: Porsche 911 Turbo gets 572bhp)

The specific request from the client was to modify his air-cooled Porsche 911 so that it would allow the car to compete in off-road racing — such as the Dakar Rally and Baja 1000 — and to demonstrate extensive all-terrain exploration capabilities.

To highlight the broad repertoire of the ACS, the client has commissioned two machines: one  in Singer’s iconic Parallax White, focused on high-speed desert rallying; and a second — in Corsica Red — configured for high-speed, high-grip tarmac events and disciplines. (Related: Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid gets update)

Porsche 911s prepared by UK-based off-road competition specialist Richard Tuthill have dominated rally events for decades, with recent victory in the 2019 East African Safari Classic marking a remarkable 4th win in the grueling 5000km event across Kenya and Tanzania. These successes sit alongside deep expertise from the world of WRC competition and events such as the Paris-Dakar. (Related: Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Edition)

Modification services developed for the Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer – All-terrain Competition Study include:

    •    Off-road competition capability, conceived with events such as the Baja 1000 and Dakar Rally in mind, but suitable for a range of surfaces

    •    Dramatically increased ride height, suspension travel and overall strength

    •    Carbon fiber body panels suited to quick replacement and easy underbody access

    •    Permanent AWD

    •    A twin-turbocharged, 3.6L, air-cooled flat-six with power starting at 450hp.

    •    Sequential racing transmission with front, centre and rear limited-slip differentials.

Summary Technical Specifications:

    •    1990 Type 964 Porsche 911

    •    Core strengthening to monocoque for heavy duty off-road use, carbon fiber body panels and off-road race modifications including:

Suspension, wheels and brakes:

    •    Specialised long-travel suspension with twin, 5-way adjustable dampers per corner

    •    (8 dampers total).

    •    Forged aluminium 8x16” wheels with BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres.

    •    4-piston, monobloc steel disc brakes with hydraulic handbrake.

Engine:

    •    3.6L twin turbo-charged, air-cooled, Porsche flat-six.

    •    Water-to-air intercoolers, with individual-bank charge coolers housed within the plenum and cooled by clamshell-mounted radiator.

    •    Tuned for the demands of each event, power starts at 450hp and 420lb ft torque

    •    5-speed sequential dog-box enabling flat-shifting. Manual and paddle-shift capable.

    •    Permanent AWD.

    •    Front, centre and rear, mechanical, plated limited-slip differentials.

Additional Specialised Equipment:

    •    Long-range fuel tank.

    •    2 x full-size spare race wheels and tyres in front trunk area and rear storage area.

    •    Full FIA specification roll cage.

    •    Bespoke competition seats with FIA certification

    •    Rehydration system for driver and navigator

    •    State-of-the-art GPS race navigation system.

“So much of what we’ve done for the last decade has been inspired by Porsche’s competition success and the All-terrain Competition Study provides us the opportunity to showcase that idea literally and vividly,” Rob Dickinson, founder and executive chairman, Singer Group Inc, explained. (Related: Porsche confirms base 911 prices)

“We at Singer are motorsport nerds in our hearts and demonstrating our understanding of the discipline required our off-road vision to display deeply legitimate competition credentials from the structural engineering, to the bodywork ethos, to the mechanical package.

“We’ve taken particular inspiration from the iconic Rothmans-sponsored 911 SC/RSs and 959s that conquered events like the Qatar International Rally and Paris-Dakar in the mid-‘80s and, at the request of our client, have reimagined these all-terrain 911’s in their honour while utilising fresh perspectives and state-of-the-art know-how.

“Like Williams Advanced Engineering before them with the Dynamics & Lightweighting Study, Richard Tuthill and his incredible team have allowed us to bring our vision for the All-terrain Competition Study to life in the most spectacular way.

We feel confident this machine can appeal to off-roading enthusiasm of all kinds, whether it be in the pursuit of professional competition at the highest level or adventure and exploration.

ACS advances Singer’s capabilities in forced-induction, all-wheel drive, off-road ability and dynamic response - all of which will support our ongoing mission. This pursuit of focused competition studies is something you will see more of from us in the future.”

Related: Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 gets flat six

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Jim McGill

All images copyright of Singer Vehicle Design