At this point, the trend of modifying Porsche 911s for off-roading purposes is practically a phenomenon. Various companies, including the famed tuner RUF, have displayed their own take on the Safari 911 idea. Even Porsche itself may be dabbling in it. And now Singer, a company practically synonymous with restomodded Porsche 911s, is joining in as well.

The Singer All-Terrain Competition Study: a Safari 911 built for and partially by a racer

Singer Vehicle Design’s latest 911 project is called the All-Terrain Competition Study, Top Gear reports. As with many of the California-based company’s other works, it’s based on the 964-gen air-cooled 911. But it’s not solely a Singer production.

That, in and of itself, isn’t unusual. Singer has collaborated with outside organizations and individuals on previous 911 works. For example, in 2018 it worked with Williams Advanced Engineering, the British F1 team, to create the Dynamics and Lightweight Study, Road & Track reports. And to craft the ACS, Singer again turned to British racing talent for assistance. Only instead of a team or organization, it collaborated with racer Richard Tuthill, R&T reports.

Having Tuthill’s help in building a Safari 911 makes a lot of sense, R&T reports. While he hasn’t explicitly built one, his shop, Tuthill Porsche, has run air-cooled 911 ice-driving workshops for years. And many of the shop’s prepared 911s have gone on to win off-road events like the East African Safari Classic, Roadshow reports. To call him a “’ Porsche rally specialist’ doesn’t quite do justice,” Automobile reports.

And the rally connection doesn’t stop with Tuthill’s involvement. The Safari 911 formula draws inspiration from Paris-Dakar Rally racers like the Porsche 959. And in the case of the Singer ACS, that inspiration goes beyond just a spiritual ancestry, Motor1 reports.

The Singer ACS combines the Safari 911 with Porsche 959 flavor

Safari 911s typically have rear-wheel drive. But the Singer ACS, like the original 959, has AWD instead, MotorTrend reports. And its AWD system has three limited-slip differentials.

Also, like the 959, Singer’s Safari 911 has a twin-turbocharged engine, a 3.6-liter air-cooled flat-6. Singer claims the ACS’s engine makes 450 hp and 420 lb-ft, but it can go higher, Car and Driver reports. And it’s linked to a 5-speed sequential manual, The Drive reports. But all this is merely the start.

Instead of the 964 911’s metal body panels, the Singer ACS has custom carbon-fiber ones, Autoblog reports. The car’s frame is also stiffened and the interior is fitted with an FIA-spec roll cage and racing seats. It also has custom long-travel suspension that features two five-way adjustable dampers on each wheel. As a result, the ACS has 12” of ground clearance and 12” of travel, Hagerty reports.

Besides the suspension, Singer’s Safari 911 also rides on forged aluminum wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. In case of punctures or blow-outs, it has two spare tires on board. If you get stuck, there’s a built-in tow hook. And to prevent underbody damage, the ACS has multiple aluminum skid plates, The Drive reports.

Although the interior is stripped-down for racing purposes, it’s not barren. Besides the roll cage and race seats, the ACS has a GPS navigation screen, a carbon-fiber hydraulic handbrake, and an onboard rehydration system. Plus, Singer fitted it with a long-range fuel tank.

It’s not a one-off

Naturally, Singer’s take on the Safari 911 won’t come cheap, Petrolicious reports. Past builds have started around $650k, Car and Driver reports. And just getting a donor 1989-1994 964 will set you back about $50,000-$75,000 on Bring a Trailer. Though admittedly, a well-maintained original 959 is easily worth $1 million, Hagerty reports.

However, if you want your own Singer Safari 911, you’ll be able to get one. Singer already made two for the commissioning client, Autoweek reports. If you have the donor car and the cash, the company will make you a customized ACS. And theoretically, you’ll be able to drive away to enter the Baja 1000.

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