Singer ACS revealed: Retro Porsche 911 goes rallying
US-based Porsche restoration specialist Singer has unveiled the All-Terrain Competition Study (ACS) -
a rally-ready version of the classic Porsche 911 inspired by the 959 Safari and other 'safari' style Porsche rally cars of the 1980s.
Developed in collaboration with British Porsche 911 rally specialist Richard Tuthill, two examples of the ACS were commissioned by a long-term Singer client: one designed for "high-speed desert rallying" finished in Parallax White, and another built for "high-speed, high-grip tarmac events" and painted in Corsica Red.
The commissioning customer has allowed Singer to facilitate other customers keen on securing a Singer ACS of their own, and while a price has yet to be announced, they'll likely have to pay a significant sum for the privilege.
Based on a 1990, 964-generation Porsche 911, the Singer ACS has been fitted with a bespoke lightweight body, with carbon-fibre panels "suited to quick replacement" and "easy underbody access", and a strengthened monocoque chassis designed for off-road use.
Off-road suspension with around 265mm of suspension travel hides underneath the swollen wheel arches, with dual five-way adjustable dampers fitted to each corner, delivering a significantly-increased ride height over a standard 964-series 911.
A set of 16-inch forged aluminium wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres fill the arches, and hide four-piston steel brakes connected to a hydraulic handbrake inside the cabin.
Powering the entire package is a 3.6-litre, twin-turbocharged version of the iconic 'Mezger' air-cooled flat-six engine, developing 336kW of power and 569Nm of torque – though the mill's exact outputs can be tuned to meet "the demands of each event".
Water-to-air intercoolers and a radiator mounted inside the front clamshell feed the six-cylinder engine, which sends drive to all four wheels through a five-speed sequential gearbox and a permanent all-wheel-drive system.
Front, centre and rear mechanical limited-slip differentials are standard-fit, as are an assortment of other off-road goodies including a long-range fuel tank and two full-size spare wheels, one at each end of the car.
Inside, occupants sit in FIA-certified, competition-spec bucket seats, and are surrounded by a FIA-specification roll cage finished in red and black. The driver and navigator both benefit from a hydration system, with the latter given access to a race GPS navigation system controlled via a large touchscreen.
On the outside, the Singer ACS draws numerous styling cues from the 1980s Porsche rally cars that it's inspired by, with a single-piece front clamshell, 959 Safari-inspired rear end, gold Singer badging and dual central exhaust tips.