It’s always an interesting read when Singer shares insights from its engine development for the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe & Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer, the latest services from the California-based luxury specialist that restores and reimagines classic Porsche 911s in collaboration with their owners.
Rob Dickinson, Singer’s Founder and Creative Director said: “Our services reference the wide-bodied, naturally aspirated cars of the 1980s. 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.”
Heritage and Cutting Edge
The restoration process draws on Singer’s long experience with the 911 and learnings from the DLS program, where the company’s first four-valve cylinder head was born. This expertise allows Singer to continue exploring the performance potential of the Type 964’s flat-six, on behalf of its clients, through a continuous process of careful optimization and the development of a revised four-valve cylinder head. Singer have jointly developed the execution of this engine with Cosworth, who have deployed their unparalleled experience, specifically in the areas of variable valve timing, combustion chamber design and intake and exhaust path.
The engine in a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe or Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer represents multiple firsts. It is the first engine restored by Singer to feature variable valve timing, optimizing drivability at low speeds, power at high revs, and a more linear torque curve across the entire rev range. It is also the first naturally aspirated engine restored by Singer to use water-cooled cylinder heads combined with air-cooled cylinders, and an electrically powered fan, utilizing learnings from the DLS Turbo program.
Cosworth’s industry-leading expertise in hypercar engine manufacturing has also been applied throughout the development process. Following restoration, the internal components of this iconic engine incorporate ultra-low-friction surface coatings pioneered at the highest levels of motorsport, enabling reliable operation at extreme speeds and loads. The cylinder head features fully machined intake and exhaust ports, along with precision-machined combustion chambers, to maximize performance and ensure consistent cylinder-to-cylinder repeatability.
The Results
Together, these features help the 4.0L flat-six to develop 420HP and broaden the torque delivery across a wider range of engine speeds, while enabling owners in a growing range of countries to restore their cars through Singer’s services.
The engine will rev to over 8000 rpm and, to encourage drivers to explore that range, an optimized, six-speed, manual gearbox can be specified, sending power to the rear wheels. A raised gear shifter may be specified with an exposed shift mechanism, underlining the engineering craftsmanship. A newly developed titanium exhaust system provides free breathing for the flat-six and its famous soundtrack.
The Restoration Process
The process begins when the owner of a Porsche 911 (Type 964) sends their car to Singer with the request to carry out a personalized restoration. Originally manufactured by Porsche more than thirty years ago, these sports cars have been on the road ever since, covering thousands of miles in the hands of many drivers.
The first step of the restoration involves the owner’s car being carefully disassembled. The interior is removed, as is the exterior bodywork and all mechanical components, until the steel monocoque (chassis) is revealed. The chassis is painstakingly assessed, cleaned, and prepared so that it is in optimal condition for the next stages of restoration. During this phase, chassis strengthening is applied to enhance the rigidity of the original Type 964 monocoque.
The original M64 engine is removed from the chassis during disassembly, and work begins to prepare the iconic flat-six to be the heart of a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe or Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer.
Personalization and Availability
Each restoration is unique. Every owner shares their personal preferences and requirements for bespoke engineering as part of the process of working with Singer to personalize their own 911. Prices for Singer’s restoration services are dependent on the specification requested by each car’s owner. All 100 allocations for a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer are spoken for. Limited availability remains for the 75 allocations for a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet Reimagined by Singer.
Singer at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026
Examples of Singer’s services, including a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer will be at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Singer will headline as the 2026 Central Feature marque.
Above contents © 2026 Singer Vehicle Designs, reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee , @rexmcafee
