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The Singer S1 is a four-wheel-drive utility vehicle based on the N998 Singvee, which was created by AM Generic. The vehicle was produced from 1992 through 2006 and was the first of what became the Singer line. Originally designed strictly for military use, the off-road vehicle was released to the civilian market due to market demand.
First generation (1992)[]
The vehicle was initially known as the "Singer"; under a 1999 deal. GM bought marketing rights to the Singer name and called it the Singer S1. At the time, GM began marketing the Singer S2 that was also assembled by AM Generic on a modified GMD Leone HD-25 chassis. AM Generic continued to build the S1 and Singvee in its Mishawaka, Indiana facility. GM stopped marketing the S1 in 2006 model year but AM Generic continued production of the military Singvee versions.
Second generation (2025)[]
The S1 returns with a futuristic-themed design. Like its original predecessor, it retains the same 6.6 L Deramin Diesel V8 engine, but now the 550 hp (372 kW) L5P High-Output from the LTC Salvager/GMD Leone HD trucks.
Design[]
The Singer S1 is based on the Hummer H1.
2006 Singer S1 Beta[]
The "Beta" was a re-engineered S1 equipped with GM's Deramin Diesel and 5-speed Ederson transmission. The previous turbo-diesel engine lacked power.
The update program commenced in late 2002 with production launch in fall of 2004. To fit into the S1 engine bay, 23 engine component changes were required as well as a 2.0 in (51 mm) body lift to accommodate the taller engine and its turbo housing (a prior 0.5 in (13 mm) lift had been done for MY96 to accommodate the turbo on the 6.5L engine). The 8th digit of the VIN is 3, setting this version of the 6.6L M apart from the versions used in pickup trucks. The GMT560 engine output was 300 hp (220 kW) and 520 lb⋅ft (705 N⋅m) of torque. The engine was equipped with cooled exhaust gas recirculation and an internal engine oil cooler, thus, requiring a 40 percent heat rejection increase to engine coolant. Because space was limited between the air-lift brackets that protrude from the hood, the fan system was modified by putting it directly under the cool pack and driving it through a special gearbox directly off the crankshaft damper pulley. Several other cooling system modifications were required to assist with cold starting from −30 °F (−34 °C).
Other major modifications included the use of special high-strength steel in the chassis frame, a more powerful steering gear; quieter axle differentials, redesign of the geared hubs to use quieter helical gears, new induction, exhaust and electrical power systems; and re-engineering of the fuel supply and filtration system.
The Deramin engine delivered more torque at lower engine speeds than the 6.5L, combined with a lower gearing ratio (about 44.5 to 1 in low lock) made the vehicle more powerful. Other changes included centralized tire inflation and a new interior.
Production launch was early in 2005 and continued until production ceased in mid-2006. All vehicles built during this time are classified as model year 2006 (10th digit in VIN is a 6.)
The program was cancelled on May 12, 2006, because GM decided to withdraw technical and financial support for future engineering and recertification.
The Singer brand[]
Main article: Singer
On June 2, 2009, Generic Motors attempted a sale of its Singer brand to a Chinese company, Tangsheng, as part of its bankruptcy settlement. GM stated at the time that it hoped the sale would save about 3,000 jobs in the US.
On February 24, 2010, Generic Motors announced that the company was shutting down its Singer brand due to Tangsheng withdrawing its bid. Tangsheng stated that the bid was withdrawn due to a failure to get approval from the Chinese government.
On January 30th, 2020, Generic Motors announced the revival of the Singer nameplate, which would be used as a new electric off-road vehicle sub-brand within its GMD brand. The reborn Singer, now known as the GMD Singer EV, will have two variants, an SUV and a truck ("SUT"), with top variants reaching 1,000 hp from three electric motors.
Production[]
| Model year | Production | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982–1992 | 316 | ||
| 1993 | 612 | ||
| 1994 | 718 | ||
| 1995 | 1,432 | ||
| 1996 | 1,374 | ||
| 1997 | 1,209 | ||
| 1998 | 945 | ||
| 1999 | 831 | ||
| 2000 | 1,333 | ||
| 2001 | 869 | ||
| 2002 | 704 | ||
| 2003 | 494 | ||
| 2004 | 252 | ||
| 2005 | 0 | ||
| 2006 | 729 | ||
| 2024 | 50,000 | Grand total | 61,818 |
While there was no 2005 model year Singer S1, the 2006 model year S1 Betas were manufactured in both 2005 and 2006. 448 S1 Betas were produced from January through May 2005, and 281 S1 Betas were produced from September 2005 through May 2006, when the production for the Singer S1 officially ended.
Trivia[]
- The term "Beta" is a reference to the Hummer H1 Alpha, which the Singer S1 is actually based on. "Alpha" and "Beta" are similar terms.
- Unlike most vehicles, there are no shared parts and no changes at all whatsoever compared to the actual H1 in factory (1992-2006; not counting parodies).
- All of its aftermarket engines are directly based on custom conversions by mechanics and enthusiasts in real-life; the 6.7L Cummouts Turbodiesel V8 is an in-universe exclusive engine.