Singer ACS: this is the Porsche 911 Safari we all want

When we think of Singer, impressive reinterpretations of iconic Porsche models built on modern underpinnings come to mind. Although for many the American company’s work might be considered sacrilege -though it also carries out full restorations-, the truth is it has a large number of admirers. And it’s no wonder, given that it produces creations as astonishing as the Singer ACS, the Porsche 911 Safari we all want.

It’s true that just a few days ago we told you about the possibility of Porsche planning to bring the Porsche 911 Safari back to life, but Singer has beaten them to it. The ACS is not an interpretation of the modern 911 Safari, but a genuine tribute not only to the legendary German sports car that raced in rallies, but also to the Porsche 959 that performed the same role.

Both models were champions of the Paris-Dakar Rally in the 1980s, which is all the more reason to pay them homage. With this premise, the Singer ACS -All-Terrain Competition Study-, a special order for one client, is a restomod of the highest order that aims to evoke the off-road characteristics of its forebears, wrapped in modern touches and today’s technology.

This mysterious client, who has ordered two units, made one indispensable requirement of Singer: that the engine of the ACS be air-cooled. Both are based on a Porsche 911 of the 964 generation, although very little of that model remains. Now we find a considerable widening of the bodywork, LED headlights, a central dual exhaust, a duck-tail-style spoiler and considerable ground clearance.

In fact, the Singer ACS features suspension adjustable across five different positions depending on the demands of the terrain and the type of driving to be undertaken. It also has an underbody protection plate made of aluminium, half a centimetre thick. However, the highlight lies in its mechanical section.

This is represented by a 3.6-litre air-cooled flat-six engine. It produces 450 CV and is managed through a five-speed sequential gearbox and a permanent all-wheel-drive system with rear, centre and front limited-slip differentials. On top of all this, we must add the involvement of Richard Tuthill during development, a renowned rally tuner for Porsche in the United Kingdom.