The Notorious Singer ACS Has Reappeared as the Most Extreme Safari Build Available for Purchase

      Joe Macari

      When Singer introduced its All-terrain Competition Study (ACS) in January 2021, a WRC-inspired off-road racing vehicle, it captivated Porsche enthusiasts and many others. Unfortunately, it drew the ire of Porsche corporate. Within two months, the Safari 911 was removed from Singer’s website and social media platforms. Since then, it hasn't been mentioned or showcased on a broad scale, but a Singer ACS has recently appeared for sale in the U.K.

      Richard Tuthill, the former rally professional who now leads the renowned family business Tuthill Porsche, commissioned two Singer ACS vehicles. At Tuthill’s request, one ACS based on a 1990 Porsche 911 was created in Parallax White for “high-speed desert rallying,” while a Corsica Red version was designed for “high-speed, high-grip tarmac events.”

      Although the ACS was tailored to Tuthill's specifications, he had no objections to other Singer customers requesting a similar build. However, Porsche's legal team deemed the Singer ACS too perfectly reminiscent of the brand.

      A cease-and-desist order was issued due to the prominent display of the automaker’s name on the Singer vehicle. In an email response at that time, Porsche USA emphasized its duty to customers “to ensure that Porsche products – designed and engineered by us – can be clearly and easily identified…We do this by ensuring only products created or directly licensed by us can carry the Porsche name.” The spokesperson added, “Occasional reminders are necessary.”

      This request was quite surprising considering Singer exclusively modifies classic 911s, specifically the 964, and its other projects bear the Porsche name, logo, and branding. Nonetheless, Singer eliminated all references to the ACS from its promotional materials and released new press images with the “Porsche” logo digitally removed from the vehicle. Interestingly, Porsche unveiled its own 911 Dakar the following year. While the Dakar’s high off-road design resembles the Singer ACS, they are fundamentally different vehicles.

      Now available for sale is the notable Parallax White off-roader, with the transaction managed by upscale vehicle sales and service expert Joe Macari. Neither Singer nor Tuthill disclosed pricing at its launch; however, Tuthill mentioned that the ACS would cost “a bit more” than a standard Singer, which typically approaches the million-dollar range.

      The Singer ACS boasts carbon fiber body panels, 5 mm protective undercarriage plates, front and rear clamshells, competition-style carbon fiber bucket seats, race-spec GPS, a monocoque chassis, an FIA-spec roll cage, and two full-size spares of its 16-inch all-terrain tires, among many other rally-ready modifications. Its twin-turbo, air-cooled 3.6-liter flat-six engine produced 450 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Depending on requirements, the powertrain could be adjusted for increased output. The Singer ACS was fitted with a 5-speed sequential gearbox, permanent all-wheel drive, and a long-range fuel tank.

      The listing provides specifications and images but no information about the vehicle’s status since Porsche instructed Singer to halt its promotion. Judging by the photos, the ACS appears to be in pristine condition, likely kept at Tuthill’s company or in a private garage. Moreover, the vehicle seems to look somber when indoors. As one of only two existing models, and given its intriguing backstory, it would not be surprising if the Singer ACS sells for over a million or two. Hopefully, the eventual buyer will also have the means to take it off-road often.