Rob Dickinson: Singer’s Founder, Executive Chairman and Creative Director explains: “In the 1980s you could order a new 911 Carrera with the pumped-up bodywork of the Turbo but powered by the company’s latest, naturally aspirated flat six. It became known as the Carrera with Super Sport Equipment. Our services reference this car and celebrate the era with a vision for an ultimate, naturally aspirated, G model 911, reimagined for the twenty-first century.
"At its heart is a remarkable flat-six, bringing together our learnings from the last fifteen years, and adding variable valve timing. The 911 has an incredible following in Japan, so we’re excited to be showing a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer to enthusiasts here for the first time, and to be back with our friends at Cornes Group, who do such a wonderful job of supporting owners here.”
The restoration process
The process begins when the owner of a Porsche 911 (Type 964) sends their car to Singer with the request to carry out a personalized restoration. Originally manufactured by Porsche more than thirty years ago, these sports cars have been on the road ever since, covering thousands of miles in the hands of many drivers.
The first step of the restoration involves the owner’s car being carefully disassembled. The interior is removed, as is the exterior bodywork and all mechanical components, until the steel monocoque (chassis) is revealed. The chassis is painstakingly assessed, cleaned, and prepared so that it is in optimal condition for the next stages of restoration. During this phase, chassis strengthening, developed in consultation with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, is applied to enhance the rigidity of the original Type 964 monocoque.
Leather working
The car displayed at Cornes Day features a remarkable leather working technique. The interiors have been specified with stitched and burnished leather seams – achieved through a long and precise hand-applied, edge sanding and painting technique, requiring 400 hours to complete for each car. This stitch style is derived from the world of luxury leather goods and highlights Singer’s mastery of leather working techniques. The car being shown at Cornes Day is presented in Celeste Passalacqua and combines the stitched and burnished leather seams with velvet corduroy cloth in Mars Pink.
Engine and transmission
The engine in a 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer draws on long experience with the 911 and learnings from the DLS program, where the company’s first four-valve cylinder head was born. This expertise allows Singer to continue exploring the performance potential of the Type 964’s iconic flat-six, on behalf of its clients, through a continuous process of careful optimization and the development of a revised four-valve cylinder head. Singer have jointly developed the execution of this engine with Cosworth, who have deployed their unparalleled experience, specifically in the areas of variable valve timing, combustion chamber design and intake and exhaust path.
The engine represents multiple firsts. It is the first engine restored for a Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer to feature variable valve timing, optimizing drivability at low speeds, and power at high revs. It is also the first naturally aspirated engine restored by Singer to use water-cooled cylinder heads combined with air-cooled cylinders, and an electrically powered fan, utilizing learnings from the DLS Turbo program.
Together, these features help the 4.0L flat-six to develop 420HP and broaden the torque delivery across a wider range of engine speeds, while enabling owners in a growing range of countries to restore their cars through Singer’s services.
The engine will rev to over 8000 rpm and, to encourage drivers to explore that range, an optimized, six-speed, manual gearbox can be specified, sending power to the rear wheels. A raised gear shifter may be specified with an exposed shift mechanism, underlining the engineering craftsmanship. A newly developed titanium exhaust system provides free breathing for the flat-six and its famous soundtrack.
Chassis
On behalf of owners, Singer joined forces with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the high-performance engineering arm of Red Bull Technology Group, to increase the strength and torsional rigidity of the original 964 chassis through the restoration process.
Red Bull Advanced Technologies assessed the 964 chassis using their world-class capabilities in simulation and structural analysis. Their work led to the development of a chassis strengthening system, using composite and steel reinforcement, applied to the 964 monocoque at the beginning of the restoration process.
The original Type 964 monocoque remains at the heart of the car, augmented with this strengthening to provide an optimized foundation for each subsequent stage of the restoration, with increased rigidity benefitting handling, braking and overall refinement.
Heritage and cutting edge
Singer’s experience with carbon fibre enables careful balancing of iconic DNA with cutting-edge engineering and material science. While inspired by the G model cars of the 1980s, the bodywork is reimagined for aesthetic and functional performance. The use of carbon fibre allows reduced mass and enhanced stiffness, further sharpening dynamic responses in the manner that Singer’s clients have come to expect.
Inspired by the Super Sport Equipment available in period, the carbon fiber body accommodates wide front and rear bodywork. A deep front spoiler optimizes cooling and airflow at the front of the car, while intakes in the leading edges of the rear fenders direct cooling air to the engine compartment.
The 911 Carrera could be specified in period with or without the famous whale tail rear wing, and Singer’s restoration services allow today’s drivers the same choice. A fixed wing or speed-activated wing manage airflow over the rear of the car for stability at speed. High-performance auxiliary driving lights may also be specified, rising from the front hood when activated and folding down flush when not in use.
Ground control
In common with the 911 Carrera cars in period, the dynamic performance of the engine is enhanced with a sophisticated approach to suspension, brakes, wheels and tyres, enabling drivers to cover ground rapidly, where the conditions allow.
Suspension developed for Singer’s turbocharged services provides the foundation for compliant, sporting handling. New, four-way adjustable dampers with electronic damping control can be adjusted from the driver’s seat and incorporate a nose lift system.
Carbon ceramic brakes developed through the DLS services may be specified, sitting behind 18” centre-lock wheels, providing deep reserves of stopping power.
Tyre technology has developed dramatically since the end of the twentieth century and the use of the latest Michelin Pilot Sport tyres allows the restored car to transmit its power effectively to the road. The driver may select from five drive modes (Road, Sport, Track, Off and Weather) to adjust the levels of intervention from the traction control and electronic stability control, depending on the road conditions and their own capabilities.
Driver-focused interior
Singer’s restoration and modification services enable owners to personalize the interior presentation of their car according to their personal preferences, through bespoke paint, leather, and material finishes. Lightweight sports or track seats may be requested, providing the perfect driving position in combination with the raised gear shifter mechanism.
In front of the driver, the familiar 911 instrument layout is reimagined, with hand-built gauges bringing high-watchmaking standards into the cabin. Singer’s mastery of traditional leatherworking techniques allows owners to request stitched and burnished leather seams throughout the cabin for the first time. Technology is incorporated with restraint, allowing for discrete navigation and phone connectivity.
Why not Sign-up to Receive these Articles by Email each Day on our newsfeed site
>> Scroll down to read more articles like this which have been published recently on this blog <<
You can also read additional current and archived articles on our dedicated magazine website
Low Cost and Free Publicity - Your company can easily benefit from some publicity like the posts above for a contribution towards our layout costs (£75 to £95 plus VAT), payable in advance or you can receive the service absolutely free of charge if you advertise (see below).
We post articles up to twice a day and never delete them - we only archive them each year so that they continue to remain visible to search engines.
To have your story published - just send us your news item, logo and image(s) and we will review the material, make any necessary changes to the wording / wordcount and then advise you when it will be published.
If you are a regular advertiser in our printed and online publications, placing series bookings for adverts or subscribing to our VIP Packages, you will qualify for a specific number of free postings on this blog while you continue to advertise with us. See our media pack for more details.
Also, if you purchase one of our Online and Print Combo packages, Featured Articles or Advertorial packages shown in our media pack, posting on this blog is included in the price.
For details and rates for all of our advertising options in print and online, download our media pack contact us or visit our website.
Door Industry Journal is a trading style of Clearview Group Limited - Company No. 06999111
No comments:
Post a Comment