New Singer 911 Uses Formula 1 Technology

Set to be unveiled at Geneva, Singer called in all the favors for this one: Michelin, Hans Mezger, and even Williams.

Here at the TeamSpeed offices, we have a mason jar filled with coins. It’s a swear jar, with a twist: labeled “ICONIC JAR.” We have to toss in our pocket change every time we (over)use that word. With that said, I’m not exactly taking an unpopular stance when I call the classic, air-cooled Porsche 911 iconic. In fact, I think it’s well worth the quarter, dime, and three pennies I had hanging out in my pocket.

Singer Vehicle Design has made a name for themselves building Porsche 964s into idealized, one-of-a-kind dream cars. Their latest project, set to be unveiled at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, is easily their most radically ambitious project to date.

Singer partnered with Williams, leveraging their decades of engineering expertise and race-bred know-how to build a 911 that’s not just inspired by Formula 1 racing, it’s literally shaped by it. With the aid of of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), every one of the 911’s body panels was massaged to make the car more aerodynamic than any road going 911 before it. Thanks to a redesigned front spoiler and some clever oil cooler plumbing, the notorious front-axle lift is all but eliminated, and even the rear ducktail was subtly updated.

Williams also turned their attention to the engine, taking advantage of lightweight materials to improve the engine, as well as adding DOHC heads, titanium valves, and a Formula 1-inspired injection system. With legendary engine designer Hans Mezger as a consultant, Williams bored, stroked, and massaged the base 964’s flat six to 4.0 liters, producing 500 horsepower at a downright stratospheric 9,000 RPM.

Similarly, the body and suspension were both lightened and strengthened, resulting in an air-cooled 911 like no other. Despite over 50 years of development, people are still finding ways to improve on Porsche’s ico–I mean, legendary sports car.

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Cameron Vanderhorst

Cam VanDerHorst has been a contributor to Internet Brands' Auto Group sites for over three years, with his byline appearing on Ford Truck Enthusiasts, Corvette Forum, JK Forum, and Harley-Davidson Forums, among others. In that time, he's also contributed to Autoweek, The Drive, and Scale Auto Magazine.

He bought his first car at age 14 -- a 1978 Ford Mustang II -- and since then he’s amassed an impressive and diverse collection of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, including a 1996 Ford Mustang SVT Mystic Cobra (#683) and a classic air-cooled Porsche 911.

In addition to writing about cars and wrenching on them in his spare time, he enjoys playing music (drums and ukulele), building model cars, and tending to his chickens.

You can follow Cam, his cars, his bikes, and his chickens at @camvanderhorst on Instagram.

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