For those who want the best sports cars, there is Porsche. For those that want the next level of performance, there is RUF. These are the five fastest RUF Porsches.
Unlike the German automobile manufacturers, tuners seem to come and go. However, there are some that have defied the odds and have gone on to become legends but they are few and far between.
For Mercedes Benz, there is Brabus, for BMW, there is Alpina and for Porsche, there is RUF. These are all German manufacturers in there own right that are the best at what they do, make breathtakingly amazing cars.
The common denominator between these tuners and those that have gone by the wayside is that these are all companies with long histories and compelling stories. Between these three tuners, the youngest is Brabus whose history starts in 1977 while the oldest is RUF. They have been around since 1939.
What is RUF and why is it so special?
Located in Pfaffenhausen, Germany, RUF Automobile is recognized by the German government as a manufacturer. Rather than starting with a completed car, RUF manufactures and engineers their own vehicles using an unmarked Porsche chassis. As a result, all RUF models have a certified RUF VIN and serial numbers and are recognized as production models rather than modified Porsches.
RUF produces vehicles that are devastatingly fast!
RUF Yellowbird CTR
RUF is most famous for the Yellowbird CTR or just Yellowbird. Based on the Porsche 911, RUF CTR (Group C Turb RUF) participated in the ‘World’s Fastest Cars” contest held by Road and Track magazine in April 1987 and won.
The RUF CTR accelerated from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.0 seconds, went from 0 to 100 mph in 7.3 seconds and 0 to 124.3 mph is 10.5 seconds, accelerating all the way through to 211 miles per hour. It ran the quarter mile in 11.7 seconds at 133.5 miles per hour. While this is super car territory for 2018, this was accomplished in 1987, more than 40 years ago!
Yellowbird has also been immortalized in ‘Faszination’, a YouTube video of Yellowbird driven to the limit on the Nurburgring in the hands of Stefan Roser. In my mind, this is one of the earliest ‘viral’ videos as I can remember it as the first Youtube video I had ever seen. This was more than a long time ago.
Over forty years ago, the world saw just how fast RUF could be. Needless to say, things have only gotten better. Without further ado, here are the five fastest RUF Porsches.
The five Fastest RUF Porsches
Number 5 – RUF R Turbo
The RUF R Turbo is based on the drivetrain of the Porsche 996 Turbo. It was available in a number of different configurations including rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the narrow Carrera body or turbo wide-body and coupe or cabriolet form.
Like the other RUF automobiles, the R Turbo has a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine putting out 520 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. This is accomplished with modified turbochargers, a remapped ECU, special intake runners and a custom RUF exhaust system.
Transmission options were a six-speed a six-speed manual transmission with a reinforced clutch to accommodate the torque. It was also available with a five-speed Tiptronic S option.
Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph took 3.7 seconds rocketing up to a top speed between 205 to 2014 mph, depending upon gearing.
A second version of the R Turbo was produced with output increased to 550 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque. It was this version of the Ruf R Turbo that achieved 218 mph.
Top Speed: 218 mph
Acceleration (0-60): 3.7 seconds
Power: 550 hp
Torque: 575 lb-ft
Number 4 – RUF CTR2 Sport
The RUF CTR2 was designed as the modern successor to the RUF CTR Yellowbird. Built on the 993 Carrera chassis, the CTR2 had the narrow body and rain gutters removed for better aerodynamics. The front end is also reshaped to provide better downforce and circulate more air around the vehicle. The result is a more aerodynamic shape than the Porsche 993 Carrera on which it is based.
The heart of the CTR2 is a 3.6 liter, twin-turbocharged flat six engine based on the on the engine powering the iconic Porsche 962 Le Mans racecar. It initially put out 520 horsepower and 505 lb-ft of torque but was later increased to 580 horsepower. This enabled the CTR2 to accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds accelerating through to 220 miles per hour.
In 1997, RUF entered 2 CTR2 “Sport” prototypes into the Pikes Peak Hillclimb race. The two racecars were built as road cars as well and were driven to the race itself. One of the cars was first in qualifying and second overall. However, the racing did not end there. The cars went onto win 20 other 1st place finishes nationwide.
The CTR2 was also available in both rear wheel drive and all wheel drive.
Top Speed: 220 mph
Acceleration (0-60): 3.5 seconds
Power: 520-580 hp
Torque: 506 lb-ft
Number 3 – RUF RT12
Based on the Porsche 997, two versions of the RT12 were produced, the S and the R
Unveiled at the 2004 Essen Motor Show, the RT12 used the flat-six, twin-turbocharged version from the previous generation 996 turbo motor. The engine in the S produced 676 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque. In R trim, output is 720 horsepower and 693 lb-ft of torque. The RT12 series was targeted at “hardcore” performance enthusiasts.
In addition to special brakes and suspension system, the RUF RT12 had body faring to increase downforce and improve high-speed stability.
A total of 13 RUF TR12s were produced with only 2 ordering their car with all-wheel drive. The remaining cars were orders with rear wheel drive.
The official 0 to 60 time for the RUF RT12 was 2.8 seconds with a top-speed of 219 miles per hour. However, it was also available with a taller gearing option that gave the vehicle a top speed of 224 miles per hour.
Top Speed: 224 mph
Acceleration (0-60): 2.8 seconds
Power: 720 hp
Torque: 693 lb-ft
Number 2 – RUF CTR 2017 Yellowbird
The second RUF vehicle that was designed and developed entirely in-house pays tribute to the legendary Yellowbird. The rear-wheel drive RUF CTR 2017 Yellowbird is built upon a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and body. Like other RUF models, the CTR also has an integrated roll cage.
The engine of the RUF CTR 2017 is also 3.6 liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine inspired by the engine in the original Yellow Bird. Engine output is 700 horsepower and 649 lb-ft of torque at 2,750 to 4,000 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per happens in 3.5 seconds while requiring just 9 seconds to rocket to 125 miles per hour accelerating all the way through to 225 miles
Putting power to the ground is a newly developed six-speed manual transmission and limited slip differential. Stopping power comes from six-piston fixed calipers up front and four-piston calipers in back.
Since most of the vehicle is made of carbon fiber, the RUF CTR 2017 tips the scales with a dry weight of 2,640 lbs. As with the RUF CTR3, the CTR 2017 will be limited to just 30 units.
Top Speed: 225 mph
Acceleration (0-60): 3.5 seconds
Power: 700 hp
Torque: 649 lb-ft
Number 1: RUF CTR3 Clubsport
The fastest RUF vehicle ever produced is the CTR3 of which 30 were ever produced. Unlike the other RUF vehicles, the body of the CTR3 was designed by RUF themselves and was inspired by the Le Mans racers of the 1950s and 60s.
Incorporating many design elements from the Porsche 987 Cayman and 997 Turbo, the CTR3 is a mid-engined vehicle incorporating a transversely mounted 6-speed transmission.
The RUF CTR3 is powered by a 3.7 liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine producing 777 horsepower. This is sufficient to propel the 3,100 pound vehicle from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds, accelerating to a top speed of 233 miles per hour.
To keep the weight of the vehicle down, the CTR3 is made of aluminum with the front made of the steel. The body panels are constructed from a Kevlar-carbon composite material.
The only component shared with Porsche is the front axle from the 911.
A second updated version of the CTR3 called the CTR3 Clubsport was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. It has a revised engine putting out 777 horsepower and 725 ft-lbs of torque at 4,000 horsepower. Only 7 of the CTR3 Clubsports were ever produced.
Power, speed and exclusivity often comes at a price. In this case, almost almost $1 million dollars.
Top Speed: 236 mph
Acceleration: 3.2 seconds
Power: 777 hp
Torque: 725 lb-ft
Conclusion
Porsche makes some of the best cars in the world. RUF takes Porsche cars to the next level. Starting with only a Porsche chassis, RUF builds all of the major components of the vehicle from scratch. This includes the engine, transmission, brakes, suspension and other systems. The result is automotive perfection.
While RUF vehicles cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, they represent great value because of the workmanship and performance that comes with every vehicle.
A RUF, any 911 based RUF is on my bucket list and I am sure, on those of many others.
What do you think? Are there any RUF vehicles that should be on this list?
