porsche 911 singer safari

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Wow, Singer has reimagined a Safari 911

Jaw-dropping, huh? The latest Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer is a desert raider

Photography: Mark Riccioni

Question: What’s better than a reimagined 911 from Californian air-cooled fetishists, Singer?

Answer: One of Singer’s reimagined 911s that’s capable of bossing the Baja 1000 or Dakar Rally and looks like the result of a 964 having a fumble with a Trophy Truck. Yes, this is Singer’s take on the 911 Safari – the All-terrain Competition Study (ACS) to use its full name – and it’s quite something.

Built at the request of one long-standing customer who wanted an air-cooled 911 that could “compete in off-road racing and demonstrate all-terrain exploration capabilities,” the ACS is Singer’s first toe in the water of competition cars, and as such was designed in partnership with historic 911 rally expert Richard Tuthill and built as his Oxfordshire base, in good old blighty.

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In fact, this well-funded mystery customer has ordered two – the white car here for high-speed Desert rallying, and a red one “designed for high-speed, high-grip tarmac events” – and given his personal approval for any future Singer customers to spec their restorations in the same way. Generous chap.

If you’re looking at this and wondering why you’d use a low-slung classic sports car as a starting point for a desert racer – where ride-height and an ability to absorb punishment are currency – fear not, rallying is firmly imbedded in Porsche’s DNA. The first race a 911 ever competed in was the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally (it came fifth, in case you were wondering) which is why a jacked-up 911 on knobbly tyres and preferably with a Rothmans livery like the Dakar-winning 953 and 959 Safaris from the mid-eighties, the latter referenced by this car’s wraparound rear deck, just looks so right.

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The donor car is a 964-gen 911 from 1990, the engine a twin-turbo air-cooled 3.6-litre flat six developing around 450bhp, although that can be easily turned up depending on the specific demands of each event.

There’s permanent all-wheel drive, a five-speed sequential gearbox, a long-range fuel tank, two full-size spare wheels and tyres – one in the front, and one in the back – and an FIA-spec roll cage. None of which is particularly lightweight, so it’s lucky that all the body panels are carbon fibre to offset what they can. The clamshells at the front and rear look like a pig to engineer, but along with removeable 5mm-thick aluminium underbody protection, they mean you can access the car’s guts quickly and easily… however far from civilisation you find yourself.

Responsible for the elevated stance and blown-out arches is specialised long-travel suspension with two five-way adjustable dampers at each corner, steel brakes with four-piston callipers and fat BF Goodrich tyres hugging 16-inch forged aluminium wheels. Contrasting with the narrowness of the 964’s glasshouse, the proportions are brilliantly cartoonish and the exterior peppered with moments of delight. Special mentions for the mutant mud flaps at the front, embossed Porsche logo on the engine cover and sills and a rear bumper milled from single piece of aluminium billet.   

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The interior plays mind games, managing to be stripped back to the bare essentials for beasting any landscape you care to point it at – FIA-approved buckets seats, a full navigation system in front of the co-pilot, a carbon rod for yanking the hydraulic handbrake and a built-in hydration system for both occupants – but still sumptuous in its execution.

Fluorescent paint splatter on the seats and as a highlight colour brings a sense of fun and opportunity for individualisation, while everything from the knurling on the gearshifter to the obscenely beautiful steering wheel (shared with Singer’s other unicorn , the DLS) is slathered in love and attention. Even the tow-eye is worthy of mounting on your office wall.

Price? Let’s just say if you’re interested in commissioning one, you better be bringing seven-figures… and a willingness to take your car to the corners of the Earth for which it was conceived. Speculators need not apply.

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Singer Finally Did a Safari Porsche 911 and It’s as Perfect as You’d Expect

Excuse us while we pawn every single organ that isn’t needed for driving.

Prepare to feel poor all over again, because the California-based Porsche 911 restoration gods at Singer have unveiled their latest creation: The ACS, which is basically its take on the 911 Safari. Provided you're familiar with the firm's previous work, the ACS (short for All-terrain Competition Study) is exactly what you'd expect a Singer Safari 911 to be like. An absolute weapon of beauty.

The ACS is based on a 964 from 1990 and was built upon request of an anonymous, "existing, long-term, special" Singer client who wanted an air-cooled 911 that could "compete in off-road racing and demonstrate all-terrain exploration capabilities." It doesn't sound like those intentions are an aspirational cover for "keep it in a temperature-controlled garage for the next 50 years" either because this well-heeled off-road enthusiast has apparently purchased two—the white one seen here for "desert rallying" and another in red for "high-speed, high-grip tarmac events." Now that's a person who is very much living its best life.

That said, the buyer has also given his personal blessing to any future Singer customers who'd like their car done in the exact same configuration as well so you better start digging in between those couch cushions.

The ACS is powered by a twin-turbo, air-cooled, 3.6-liter flat-six good for about 450 horsepower. Apparently, more power can be extracted via tuning for the varying demands of individual events. That power travels through a five-speed sequential transmission and onwards to a permanent all-wheel-drive system. To make sure it survives the conditions in which it was meant to be rallied, it's got a long-range fuel tank, two full-size spare tires and wheels, and 5-mm thick removable aluminum underbody protective panels that allow for easy middle-of-nowhere repairs. 

All of the body panels are carbon fiber and the brake calipers are four-pistons while the long-travel suspension features not one but two five-way adjustable dampers on all four corners. Inside, there's an FIA-spec roll cage, FIA-spec bucket seats, a carbon hydraulic handbrake lever, and a huge screen with navigation.

It doesn't sound bad at all either. Have a listen.

Anyone with enough funds, however, can cobble together a bunch of parts, but it's the execution that sets Singer builds apart from the rest. Par for the Singer course, every little detail oozes beauty and care. The rear bumper was milled out of a single piece of aluminum. The fluorescent red splatter in the interior could have come off as tacky but, this being Singer , it works and works gorgeously. Even the underside of the clamshells are painted to pay subtle tribute to the legendary Rothmans livery and would not look out of place in a modern art museum. 

This off-road build being such a departure from what Singer usually does, though, help was provided in the form of vintage 911 rally expert Richard Tuthill.

Speaking of "enough funds," Singer won't specify exactly how much the ACS will cost with Tuthill merely mentioning to Top Gear that it would definitely cost "a bit more" than your run-of-the-mill Singer that already runs near the million-dollar mark. "It'll be what it'll be," he adds. Feel poor yet?

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Singer Built Two Specially Commissioned Safari-Style 911 Rally Racers Named ACS

The custom ACS Porsche 964s were requested by a client who wanted an air-cooled 911 with off-road capabilities

by Sergiu Tudose

Have you ever thought that you’d like nothing more than a classic 911 that’s capable of competing in off-road racing? Well, someone has, and they’ve commissioned one through Singer Vehicle Design.

The result is called the All-Terrain Competition Study (ACS) and is quite spectacular. The vehicle is based on a 964-generation Porsche 911 from 1990 and features a 450 HP twin-turbo air-cooled 3.6-liter flat-six.

Read: Stunning 1991 Porsche 911 ‘Malibu’ By Singer Is An $875,000 Work Of Art

The ACS is Singer’s first ever competition car and was designed together with historic 911 rally expect Richard Tuthill, built at the latter’s Oxfordshire garage. Actually, the unnamed customer ordered two vehicles: this white one for high-speed Desert rallying that draws on the Rothmans livery 953 and 959 Safaris from the 1980s, and a red one that’s “designed for high-speed, high-grip tarmac events.”

Moreover, the customer was fine with future Singer customers designing their resto-modded 911s in the exact same way, which is great news for anyone who likes this project.

The ACS sports a permanent all-wheel drive setup, a five-speed sequential gearbox, a long-range fuel tank, plus two full-size spare wheels and tires. There’s also an FIA-spec roll cage, while all of the body panels are made from carbon fiber in order to offset the additional weight.

Other mods include the removable 5mm-thick (0.2 inch) aluminum underbody protection, custom long-travel suspension with two five-way adjustable dampers per corner, steel brakes with four-piston calipers, and BF Goodrich tires wrapped around 16-inch forged alloy wheels. The car also comes with big mud flaps at the front and an embossed Porsche logo on the engine cover and sills.

As for the dual-tone interior, it’s got FIA-approved bucket seats , a custom steering wheel, a navigation system for the co-pilot, a carbon rod for the hydraulic handbrake, and a built-in hydration system for the pilot and co-pilot.

While we can’t tell you how much the ACS cost, Singer’s 911s don’t come cheap, so expect something in the high six figures. You can get a walk around the ACS in the Top Gear video that follows.

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Singer reveals reimagining of a Porsche 911 Safari with epic results

The owner actually intends to race it..

Singer Vehicle Design really mixes up its usual recipe by introducing the new All-Terrain Competition Study. The high-riding beauty mixes inspiration from the Dakar Rally-winning Porsche 953 and 959 while adding some special touches to make this project something truly unique.

The front of the All-Terrain Competition Study is a weird view because of the long protuberances pointing forward from the sides of the bumper. These are apparently mudguards, and when the wheels crash down into a puddle, they'd prevent some of the spray from splashing onto the body.

Gallery: Singer All-Terrain Competition Study Porsche 911 Safari

Massive wing/fender flares are on each corner to cover the 16-inch forged wheels with meaty BF Goodrich tyres wrapping around them. A thick side sill runs along the lower flank, and it has an embossed Porsche emblem that evokes the decals that often appear here on the company's machines.

At the back, there's a 959-like tail with a spoiler that integrates into the sculpting. Strakes direct air to the engine, and a pair of exhaust outlets poke out from the rear bumper.

The interior is very purposeful because the person commissioning the All-Terrain Competition Study actually intends to race it. The driver grips a three-spoke steering wheel with an array of buttons along the lower section. The passenger looks at a massive screen for navigating the car through the desert. A bright red (maybe even pink in the right light) roll cage occupies the rest of the cabin.

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Under the rear deck, there's a twin-turbo, air-cooled 3.6-litre flat-six making about 450 bhp (336 kilowatts). It runs through a five-speed sequential gearbox to a full-time all-wheel-drive system. The suspension consists of dual, adjustable dampers at each corner

British Porsche 911 rallying specialist Tuthill Porsche collaborated on engineering the project after the person commissioning the car initially asked Singer to build the machine. 

The All-Terrain Competition Study is not strictly a one-off. The buyer also has a commission for a red example that is "designed for high-speed, high-grip tarmac events," according to Top Gear . The commissioner also gives Singer permission to build more if anyone else places an order for one.

Sources: Top Gear , Top Gear via YouTube

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Singer Safari 911 Is A Dream Come True

This is really a no-brainer…

It’s universally agreed upon that some of the most beautiful and sought-after custom Porsche 911s emerge from Singer . The Los Angeles-based shop has churned out plenty of impressive examples, but until now we can’t recall seeing a safari model bear the name. That’s why this video from Top Gear showing off the All-terrain Competition Study (ACS) from Singer is so glorious .

After all, Safari Porsche 911s are also some of the most storied versions of everyone’s flat-engine GT. The German automaker has been using 911s in rally races for a long time, even though the average person would be shocked to see one jacked up with knobby tires and other trail-ready modifications .

To create the ACS, Singer teamed up with Tuthill Porsche out of Britain. A client of Singer wanted an air-cooled 911 read for extreme off-road races, likely drawing inspiration from the storied Porsche 959 Safari.

This Singer ACS not only looks the part of being a badass, it comes with four-wheel drive for pulling through difficult terrain. The flat-six engine is turbocharged, squeezing out more power. With carbon panels some of the weight gain contributed by the rally-ready mods is annihilated. Ditto for the stripped-down interior that’s devoid of niceties, showing this isn’t a build for grabbing coffee or just cruising around town but instead is geared for motorsports without apology.

Despite the utilitarian nature of the vehicle, this 911 still shows the crazy level of detail Singer always leaves on each of its creations. Some of those might be marred in some racing incidents, but we’re assuming the owner has the money to fix it and keep racing.

In the video, you get to see Jack Rix flog this Singer ACS. Then you’re treated to a full tour if you want to hear about all the technical details of the build.

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singer builds one-off 1990 porsche 911 safari ready for extreme rally races

with a deep understanding of the history of the brand – just check out their 964 DLS custom – singer vehicle design creates a contemporary interpretation of a porsche 911 safari rally car . the modern off-roader pays homage to their successful racers in the ‘60s with a version fit to complete in the dakar or baja 1000.

see singer’s 1990 porsche 911 964 safari design in action in the video above.

requested by a long-time client, LA-based singer vehicle design were asked to transform a 1990 porsche 911 964 safari into an off-roader that demonstrates all-terrain exploration capabilities. they enlisted the expert advice of richard tuthill of oxfordshire, UK-based tuthill porsche , whose speciality of preparing race-ready porsches for both off-road and race track have recently won events like the east african safari classic and FIA WRC R-GT championship.

to reduce weight, the design adorns a carbon-fiber-paneled body. an FIA-specification roll cage helps strengthen the monocoque further. the porsche was then lifted high above ground with a long-travel suspension with twin five-way adjustable dampers at each wheel. inside, FIA-certified bespoke competition seats have been added along with a dual spare-wheel carrying system in the front trunk and rear storage area, a GPS race navigation system, and a rehydration system for driver and navigator.

beneath its carbon-fiber body, the singer porsche 911 safari rally car is powered by a twin-turbo 3.6-L air-cooled flat-six that offers 450 hp and 569 Nm of torque. the power is delivered to all four wheels through a sequential five-speed transmission and front, center and rear mechanical limited-slip differentials to push through sand, snow and mud. monobloc disc brakes complete the design alongside BFGoodrich all-terrain tire-wrapped aluminum alloy wheels.

project info:

custom workshop: singer vehicle design

original model: 1990 porsche 911 964 safari

collaborators: tuthill porsche

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Porsche’s 911 Dakar Is Awesome, but Remember the Singer ACS?

This utterly bananas turbocharged, air-cooled rally monster debuted last year and is one of the coolest things ever..

Porsche dropped images of its almost-too-good-to-be-true 911 Dakar on Wednesday, and while I’m borderline freaking out about seeing it in the metal next week, it reminded me of the time last year when Singer and Tuthill got together to make their own Dakar-ready 911 . So, since Porsche is keeping mum about the Dakar for now, let’s watch a 450-hp air-cooled 911 absolutely destroy all kinds of terrain.

This video from Top Speed is my favorite because it just shuts up and lets the sound of the twin-turbo 3.6-liter flat-six do the talking. I’ve never driven a Singer personally, though I hope to rectify that one day, but I’ve been up close with a few, and this ACS Prototype is a whole other animal.

In case you’re curious, aside from the previously mentioned engine, this car has a five-speed sequential gearbox, which drives all four wheels. Each corner of the car gets dual dampers which are multi-way adjustable and capable of nearly a foot of travel. The car’s wild, all-carbon bodywork hides dual spare wheels and tires and the interior is fully-FIA-spec for rally. The Singer ACS is ready to race.

This other video from Top Gear does a great job of going over all the car’s particulars in detail with Tuthill’s boss, Richard Tuthill.

Of course, while the ACS is a super wild, bespoke off-road racer and likely costs as much as the GDP of Luxembourg, the odds of me driving it are slim to none. Conversely, the 911 Dakar – if it goes into series production, fingers crossed – stands a good chance of landing in my driveway at some point and that’s pretty freaking exciting.

Keep an eye on Jalopnik next week for coverage of the 911 Dakar and the LA Auto Show.

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Le Corbusier’s triumphant return to Moscow

The exhibition of French prominent architect Le Corbusier, held in The Pushkin Museum, brings together the different facets of his talent. Source: ITAR-TASS / Stanislav Krasilnikov

The largest Le Corbusier exhibition in a quarter of a century celebrates the modernist architect’s life and his connection with the city.

Given his affinity with Moscow, it is perhaps surprising that the city had never hosted a major examination of Le Corbusier’s work until now. However, the Pushkin Museum and the Le Corbusier Fund have redressed that discrepancy with the comprehensive exhibition “Secrets of Creation: Between Art and Architecture,” which runs until November 18.

Presenting over 400 exhibits, the exhibition charts Le Corbusier’s development from the young man eagerly sketching buildings on a trip around Europe, to his later years as a prolific and influential architect.

The exhibition brings together the different facets of his talent, showing his publications, artwork and furniture design alongside photographs, models and blueprints of his buildings.

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Irina Antonova, director of the Pushkin Museum, said, “It was important for us to also exhibit his art. People know Le Corbusier the architect, but what is less well know is that he was also an artist. Seeing his art and architecture together gives us an insight into his mind and his thought-processes.”

What becomes obvious to visitors of the exhibition is that Le Corbusier was a man driven by a single-minded vision of how form and lines should interact, a vision he was able to express across multiple genres.

The upper wings of the Pushkin Museum are separated by the central stairs and two long balconies. The organizers have exploited this space, allowing comparison of Le Corbusier’s different art forms. On one side there are large paintings in the Purist style he adapted from Cubism, while on the other wall there are panoramic photographs of his famous buildings.

Le Corbusier was a theorist, producing many pamphlets and manifestos which outlined his view that rigorous urban planning could make society more productive and raise the average standard of living.

It was his affinity with constructivism, and its accompanying vision of the way architecture could shape society, which drew him to visit the Soviet Union, where, as he saw it, there existed a “nation that is being organized in accordance with its new spirit.”

The exhibition’s curator Jean-Louis Cohen explains that Le Corbusier saw Moscow as “somewhere he could experiment.” Indeed, when the architect was commissioned to construct the famous Tsentrosoyuz Building, he responded by producing a plan for the entire city, based on his concept of geometric symmetry.

Falling foul of the political climate

He had misread the Soviet appetite for experimentation, and as Cohen relates in his book Le Corbusier, 1887-1965, drew stinging attacks from the likes of El Lissitsky, who called his design “a city on paper, extraneous to living nature, located in a desert through which not even a river must be allowed to pass (since a curve would contradict the style).”

Not to be deterred, Le Corbusier returned to Moscow in 1932 and entered the famous Palace of the Soviets competition, a skyscraper that was planned to be the tallest building in the world.

This time he fell foul of the changing political climate, as Stalin’s growing suspicion of the avant-garde led to the endorsement of neo-classical designs for the construction, which was ultimately never built due to the Second World War.

Situated opposite the proposed site for the Palace of the Soviets, the exhibition offers a tantalizing vision of what might have been, presenting scale models alongside Le Corbusier’s plans, and generating the feeling of an un-built masterpiece.

Despite Le Corbusier’s fluctuating fortunes in Soviet society, there was one architect who never wavered in his support . Constructivist luminary Alexander Vesnin declared that the Tsentrosoyuz building was the "the best building to arise in Moscow for over a century.”

The exhibition sheds light on their professional and personal relationship, showing sketches and letters they exchanged. In a radical break from the abstract nature of most of Le Corbusier’s art, this corner of the exhibition highlights the sometimes volatile architect’s softer side, as shown through nude sketches and classical still-life paintings he sent to Vesnin.

“He was a complex person” says Cohen. “It’s important to show his difficult elements; his connections with the USSR, with Mussolini. Now that relations between Russia and the West have improved, we can examine this. At the moment there is a new season in Le Corbusier interpretation.” To this end, the exhibition includes articles that have never previously been published in Russia, as well as Le Corbusier’s own literature.

Completing Le Corbusier’s triumphant return to Russia is a preview of a forthcoming statue, to be erected outside the Tsentrosoyuz building. Even if she couldn’t quite accept his vision of a planned city, Moscow is certainly welcoming him back.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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Moscow in Winter: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

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Travelers who enjoy bundling up for a snowy climate will appreciate all that Moscow has to offer, come winter. This ornamental Russian city shows its vibrant cultural heritage when temperatures plummet and the snow starts falling on Red Square. Unlike other cities, whose residents scurry away to hibernate in December, the people of Moscow embrace their sub-zero climate in style. They don their furs and ushanka hats (traditional hats with earflaps) to peruse Christmas markets, dine out at restaurants, and attend the opera.

In winter, Moscow's scenery looks awe-inspiring under a dusting of snow. There's something undeniably charming about seeing historic sites like the colorful, tented rooftops of Saint Basil's Cathedral capped with a layer of icy frost. The food here is warm and comforting, and the cultural winter events are not to be missed. Plus, it's cheaper to visit Moscow during the winter and it's far less crowded with tourists.

Moscow is not where you go to get a suntan over the holidays. In fact, the Moscow winter is enough to chill any hearty tourist to the bone—but that's all part of the fun. The average high for December, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is 27 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 2.7 degrees Celsius); for January, it's 23 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 5 degrees Celsius); and for February, it's 26 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 3.3 degrees Celsius). Take these average temperatures with a grain of salt, however, as it certainly isn't abnormal for the air to dip into the teens.

The Moscow cold is often accompanied by generous amounts of ice and snow deposited by frequent winter storms. The city goes unfazed by these storms—cars still drive around and people in boots trod through the snowpack. You'll see thick icicles growing on roof overhangs, so be sure not to linger underneath them while you're out touring the area's magnificent cathedrals.

Lastly, don't be surprised if your flights in or out get canceled or delayed. This can be one of the drawbacks to traveling in the winter, in general.

What to Pack

Stuffing your suitcase with bulky (and heavy) winter clothing can be frustrating and expensive, which tends to deter Moscow winter travel altogether. A trip to the city between early December and late February requires enough accessories to cover the extremities: wooly hats, cold-weather socks, knit scarves, and a good pair of gloves. Also pack a coat that falls below the hips, weatherproof boots, and ski pants, if you have them. Remember, fashion is second only to avoiding hypothermia in this polar city.

The Moscow winter calendar is brimming with cultural events for travelers to attend each winter. Many events take place during the Christmas holiday; then, the city caps off the winter with a farewell festival, come February.

• The annual Russian Winter Festival , which spans an entire month starting mid-December, takes place in several locations throughout the city. Head to Izmailovo Park or Revolution Square to see everything from over-the-top ice sculptures to traditional dance performances. Watch the professional ice skaters and visit food trucks that serve traditional fare.
• Moscow's New Year’s Eve celebration is one of the city's biggest events of the year. Tens of thousands of people spend it in Kremlin—Moscow's central complex—watching the Kremlin tower strike midnight, while fireworks crack in the background. Others attend the Christmas tree light show at Red Square.
• Christmas in Russia falls on January 7, and the week between New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day is a time for Russians to relax. Families focus on spending time together at home, preparing traditional foods like ukha (fish soup) and sauerkraut. Tourists can use this uncrowded time wisely by seeking out the city's culinary gems. Make sure to check the hours of operations on restaurants, shops, and other businesses before visiting them during this week. While much of the city's businesses might be closed, you might get special treatment at the places that stay open.
• Maslenitsa , Russia’s farewell-to-winter festival, occurs in late February or early March. This pagan celebration is marked by games, contests, and cultural traditions. It’s held in the Red Square area every year and draws crowds of Muscovites and visitors alike.

Winter Travel Tips

• In order to obtain a Russian travel visa, you'll need to be invited by a relative or friend who is a citizen or a hosting tour company.
• Traveling to Moscow in the winter helps you avoid the summer crowds; however, flight delays due to weather are common. Plan an extra day on either end of your trip in case you get held up.
• If you plan to visit a Russian banya, a Slavic steam bathhouse, take note that most people bathe in the buff. However, most bathhouses are separated by sex.
• Plan alternating indoor and outdoor activities so that you don't get too cold. A visit to the Tretyakov Gallery, the State Armory Museum, or the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts provides a nice respite from the frigid temperatures.

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