Singer Vehicle Design unveils newly reimagined Porsche 911, the DLS Turbo
Inspired by the full-blooded endurance racers of the 1970s, this bold Dynamics & Lightweighting Study is the ultimate in bespoke, retromodded supercars
Singer Vehicle Design builds meticulous modern iterations of the Porsche 911, restorations that go far beyond the original car and enhance every facet of driving experience. Founded in 2009 by Rob Dickinson, the California-based manufacturer is a source of under-the-radar icons for those in the know – cult doesn’t ever cover it. A Singer vehicle is entirely bespoke and handcrafted, truly ‘reimagined’ with design details, materials, finishes and performance that far exceed the original specification.
Over the years, the company has worked its way through Porsche’s back catalogue, focusing on the air-cooled ‘964’ variants of the 911 that Porsche built from 1989 to 1994. For legal reasons, Singer states explicitly that it doesn’t ‘manufacture or sell automobiles’; instead, it ‘restores and reimagines’ Porsche 911s ‘at the direction of its clients’.
Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer – DLS Turbo
This neatly side-steps any objections the German brand might have, but also gives Singer some leeway to explore the wilder side of design and performance. The latest model, the DLS Turbo, does exactly that. Inspired by Porsche’s fearsome 934 and 935 racing cars of the late 1970s, which dominated endurance events like Le Mans and Daytona, the ‘Blood Orange’ DLS (Dynamics & Lightweighting Study) Turbo was created for a customer who wanted to focus on track driving; the Moet Blanc car is a more road-focused design.
Dickinson has a strong emotional connection with the original 1970s-era machines, with their expansive body kits, rear wings and hugely uprated performance. Every Singer is the result of a complete reconstruction, including new carbon-fibre bodywork and aero kit. The original engine is also rebuilt, with outputs of over 700hp made possible by new high-performance components.
The price? Seven figures is a good starting point. A ‘reimagined’ car of this complexity and sophistication is not a cheap option; there are plenty of traditional restorers who can make your Porsche 911 feel like new. Instead, a Singer is practically another category in itself, a true bespoke supercar imbued with a deeply felt historical association.
Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer, from $1m, SingerVehicleDesign.com
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.
-
First look – Bottega Veneta and Flos release a special edition of the Model 600
Gino Sarfatti’s fan favourite from 1966 is born again with Bottega Veneta’s signature treatments gracing its leather base
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
We stepped inside the Stedelijk Museum's newest addition in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's Stedelijk Museum has unveiled its latest addition, the brand-new Don Quixote Sculpture Hall by Paul Cournet of Rotterdam creative agency Cloud
By Yoko Choy Published
-
On a sloped Los Angeles site, a cascade of green 'boxes' offers inside outside living
UnStack, a house by FreelandBuck, is a cascading series of bright green volumes, with mountain views
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
We sample the latest sports car from bespoke British manufacturer Theon Design
With the GBR002, Theon Design have transformed a classic Porsche into a low-key bespoke supercar, uprating and enhancing the iconic 964 model to exacting customer specifications
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
New-generation car camping and roof tents for luxury-loving adventurers
Car camping is having a moment. While Hyundai and Porsche can get you kitted up, we explore other options
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
The Marsien is an all-terrain supercar that takes the Porsche aesthetic into new territories
The Marsien by Marc Philipp Gemballa is a limited edition off-roading supercar inspired by the golden era of rallying Porsches
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Driven: the electrically enhanced Porsche 911 raises the bar for the sports car stalwart
The new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS marks the debut of Porsche’s T-Hybrid system, boosting performance and efficiency. We get behind the wheel
By Rory FH Smith Published
-
Bentley rolls out the latest version of its majestic grand tourer, the Continental GT Speed
Available as both coupé and convertible, the fourth generation Bentley Continental GT Speed harnesses hybrid power to become a record breaker for the brand
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Coming soon: a curated collection of all the new EVs and hybrids that matter
We've rounded up new and updated offerings from Audi, Porsche, Ineos, Mini and more to keep tabs on the shifting sands of the mainstream car market
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Porsche transforms the Macan into its newest all-electric model
The new Porsche Macan 4 and Macan Turbo are compact electric SUVs that mark a major step in the company’s transformation into a luxury EV maker
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
24 transportation design innovations for 2024
From electric cars to new airports and sports boats, here’s a non-exhaustive list of 24 of the most interesting transportation design innovations to expect in the coming year
By Jonathan Bell Published