Singer’s latest is a 414bhp naturally-aspirated wide body hero with pop-up lights

Call it what you like, this is quite simply a gorgeous car. It’s the latest from California’s finest rebigulater of Porsche 964s, and references a very unique spec of 911 Carrera available in the Eighties. Yes, this is what Singer geeking out looks like.

“In the 1980s you could order a new 911 Carrera with the pumped-up bodywork of the Turbo but powered by the company’s latest, naturally aspirated flat-six,” said Singer boss Rob Dickinson. “It became known as the Carrera with Super Sport Equipment.”

And lo, this fresh creation is officially known as [deep breath] the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer [and release] for reasons you all know. Long name, short story: at heart, it’s a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre 964 with a gloriously Eighties suit.

The first step is stripping and inspecting a donor 964 completely – because these things arrived just when Tim Berners-Lee was busy helping future mankind watch dog videos on their phones – before cleaning and prepping each one for restoration.

The bare chassis is then… fully restored using methods developed in consultation with Red Bull Advanced Technologies (no, it won’t dive bomb down the inside), and strengthened to handle 21st century power. And hoo boy does it have some power.

You’ll remember Singer’s wonderful DLS programme. That project’s engine learnings, like a four-valve cylinder head, are transferred into the 4.0-litre flat-six on offer here. Developed in collaboration with Cosworth, it’s the first Singer to get variable valve timing, and the company’s first naturally aspirated engine using water-cooled cylinder heads and air-cooled cylinders. Like we said, this is Singer geeking out.

The fruit of such geekery is 414bhp and a redline stretching out just past 8,000rpm. Yes, it’ll sound just like you imagine, not least because that engine is attached to a newly developed titanium exhaust system. And a six-speed manual gearbox sending those titanium-infused horses to the rear wheels.

You’ll be able to better control those horses via four-way electronically adjustable dampers – complete with a nose lift – and carbon ceramic brakes. There are five drive modes that vary the traction and stability control, and a set of Michelin Pilot Sports wrapped around 18in wheels.

While we’re outside, shall we discuss that new suit? It’s a full carbon fibre body, embiggened at both axles and replete with a deep front spoiler (better cooling) and the option of the whale tail rear wing (better wow).

And then comes the perhaps rather more controversial bit: you can option in "high performance auxiliary driving lights, rising from the front hood when activated and folding down flush when not in use". Yes folks, a Porsche with pop-up headlights. Frankly, we're all in, because any chance to own a car with pop-up headlights should be taken immediately.

There’s even more wow inside. Naturally every Singer is bespoke and personalised – hence why the two cars featured here are different – but broadly each one features hand-built gauges, ‘traditional leatherworking techniques’ throughout, and tech, but applied “with restraint”.

Restraint has been applied to the production run, too, with just 100 units of the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer available. And don’t ask how much: it all… depends.

“The Super Sport Equipment package was intended for what Porsche described as ‘the connoisseur of high performance’,” said Dickinson. “We’ve used this as inspiration for our latest services and as a home for this special engine. Hans Mezger’s masterpiece - restored, reimagined and reborn - is at the heart of the car”. 

So call it what you like, because it's quite simply a gorgeous car.