Singer Has Revealed An Exquisite Lightweight 911 With A 500bhp Air-Cooled Flat-Six

We always knew Singer Vehicle Design’s collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering was going to produce some stunning cars, but my word, we were not prepared for this.

It’s the result of the ‘Dynamics and Lightweighting Study’, and will be one of two re-imagined 964s from the programme to be showcased at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We’re in love right now, and we suspect you might be too.

Singer calls it the “most advanced air-cooled Porsche 911 in the world,” and a lot of that claim is down to the engine. The specs were revealed a while ago, and they’re pretty astonishing. Derived from a 1990 3.6-litre Porsche flat-six, it’s grown to 4.0 litres. It features titanium con rods, aluminium throttle bodies and an exhaust made from titanium and Inconel. It develops 493bhp, and is capable of revving to over 9000rpm.

Williams developed the engine with input from Porsche engineer Hans Mezger - the man responsible for some of Stuttgart’s most legendary engines - but it’s by no means the only special thing about this car.

The unique bodywork is all carbonfibre, contributing to a circa 1000kg weight figure. There are bespoke BBS wheels shod in bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s. The suspension is a double wishbone setup at the front, and adjustable dampers made especially for the car feature. The brakes are carbon ceramic, and there are even electronic aids like stability control traction control and ABS hiding behind the retro looks.

Power is sent rearwards through a six-speed manual transmission, and - of course - that ‘box is bespoke. It has magnesium casings, and it’s shorter than the stock unit to allow the engine to be moved forward for better weight distribution. Then there’s the shifter, which has an exposed linkage made from titanium and magnesium. It sits between a pair of custom leather-trimmed Recaro bucket seats.

The want could not possibly be stronger right now.