For more than 15 years, Singer Vehicle Design has built its reputation on transforming classic air-cooled Porsche 911s into some of the world’s most coveted bespoke sports cars. Now, the California-based luxury specialist has revealed new technical insight into the engine development behind its latest Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe and Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer – a project that combines heritage-driven design with cutting-edge engineering from legendary British performance firm Cosworth.
At the heart of Singer’s latest restoration services is an extensively reworked naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six developed from the Type 964’s iconic M64 engine architecture. Producing 420 horsepower and revving beyond 8,000 rpm, the engine represents a series of firsts for Singer, including variable valve timing, water-cooled cylinder heads paired with air-cooled cylinders, and an electrically powered fan inspired by lessons learned from the company’s DLS Turbo program.
“Our services reference the wide-bodied, naturally aspirated cars of the 1980s,” said Rob Dickinson, Singer’s Founder and Creative Director. “The goal was to pursue the ultimate, naturally aspirated G model 911, reimagined for the twenty-first century in both coupe and cabriolet body styles. At the heart of the car, we wanted a remarkable flat-six, with optimized throttle response, the reward of thrilling horsepower at high revs, and prodigious torque throughout the rev range for maximum real-world driver engagement. To deliver this mission, we brought together our learnings from the last fifteen years of working intimately with the 911 and partnered with Cosworth to bring their experience and capabilities to bear on the development process for a very special engine.”
The collaboration underscores Singer’s continued evolution from boutique restoration house into one of the luxury automotive world’s most engineering-focused brands. Drawing on expertise first developed during the company’s Dynamics and Lightweighting Study program, Singer refined its four-valve cylinder head design while Cosworth contributed its experience in hypercar engine manufacturing, variable valve timing, combustion chamber development, and intake and exhaust optimization.
The result is a broader torque curve, improved drivability at lower speeds, and sharper high-rev performance designed to elevate real-world driver engagement. Internally, the engine incorporates ultra-low-friction surface coatings derived from top-tier motorsport applications, while fully machined intake and exhaust ports, along with precision-machined combustion chambers, maximize both performance and consistency.
Singer says the engine’s character was intentionally designed to encourage drivers to explore the upper reaches of the rev range. To complement that experience, owners can specify an optimized six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels, as well as a raised gear shifter with an exposed shift mechanism emphasizing the car’s engineering craftsmanship. A newly developed titanium exhaust system completes the package while amplifying the signature soundtrack of the naturally aspirated flat-six.
The restoration process itself remains deeply rooted in craftsmanship and personalization. Each project begins when the owner of a Porsche 911 Type 964 commissions Singer to carry out a bespoke restoration tailored to their individual preferences. The donor vehicle is completely disassembled until only the original steel monocoque remains, allowing Singer to clean, strengthen, and prepare the chassis before rebuilding begins.
Throughout the process, owners work directly with Singer to personalize engineering, materials, and specifications, reinforcing the company’s philosophy of “A Relentless Pursuit of Excellence.” According to Singer, all 100 allocations for the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer have already been spoken for, while limited availability remains for the 75 planned Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet restorations.
Singer will showcase examples of its restoration services, including a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026, where the company is set to headline as the event’s 2026 Central Feature marque.
Founded in California in 2009, Singer has become globally recognized for reimagining classic Porsche 911s through a combination of obsessive attention to detail, modern engineering, advanced material science, and deeply personalized craftsmanship. Its latest engine program further reinforces the company’s position at the intersection of analogue driving purity and contemporary high-performance engineering.
