RUF has forged its reputation on the preparation of Porsche models. But for more than 40 years now, the preparer has become a manufacturer in its own right. We went to Germany in the Stuttgart region to celebrate an anniversary, that of the 35th anniversary of Yellow Bird, which has given its letters of nobility to the company. For the occasion we took in hand its descendant: the CTR 4, also called CTR Anniversary. A 911 which, as you will see, is not really one…
If it all started in 1939 with the creation of a first garage by Alois Ruf, the brand’s history really took a turn in 1963 with the preparation of a first 356 . It’s heartbreak. Since 1974, RUF has specialized in the repair and then the optimization of Porsche models. Then, everything accelerated and the preparations became ever more advanced.
Engines boosted with great bursts of Turbo, chassis revisited from top to bottom, innovative gearboxes… there are no more limits. So much so thatin 1981, RUF is officially recognized by the German government as builder. Indeed, from then on we no longer speak only of preparations. From now on at RUF, we create RUF!
It is possible to know the resale or trade-in value of your vehicle thanks to the auto Turbo rating of your Porsche 911, the alternative to the Argus rating.
At RUF, the cars arrive new from Porsche and are completely dismantled and then rebuilt with new parts, whether bodywork or mechanics. All models also have a roll bar. They call it a « re-creation » and that’s what makes RUF considered by the German government as a full-fledged car manufacturer.
The first RUF worthy of the name is the BTR in 1983 . But in the range, there is one model in particular that changed everything. In 1987, the brand launched the CTR (Group C Turbo RUF), which is nicknamed Yellow Bird in reference to its attractive body color. A RUF preparation of the 911 Carrera 2 pushed to 470 hp – at the very least – thanks to two large turbos…
Able to reach the crazy speed – in 1987 – of 343 km/h, this CTR simply imposes itself as the fastest car in the world on the Nardo circuit in Italy, in front of the most powerful supercars of the moment badged Ferrari or Lamborghini.
With 1,170 kg on the scale and a 0 to 100 dispatched in 3.7 seconds, it even allows itself to achieve the best time on the reference track, the Nürburgring. For the little anecdote, while all the competitors are aiming for optimal trajectories so as not to lose the slightest tenth of a second, Stefan Roser, the driver of this CTR, almost completed the complete lap of the track! Yes, it was another time.
Everything has been redesigned on this CTR. The body has been completely disassembled and reinforced. Externally it is distinguished in particular by superb 17-inch rims and the huge rear spoiler of the Turbo. Specific shields have also been fitted to reinforce engine cooling. Even the mirrors have been changed to improve aerodynamics.
On board, what an atmosphere! Two bucket seats, a roll bar, a new steering wheel… and a speedometer graduated up to 350 km/h… In fact there too, the objective was to reduce the weight as much as possible . For this, there are race-type door panels, less carpeting. And it goes even further, because many body parts are now made of aluminum (doors, front fenders, bonnet in particular).
A few more details? The engine displacement is increased. The mechanical parts are also reinforced to assume the preparation, because the engine and its cooling are literally boosted! The new exhaust now distills a very specific sound… Finally, a 90-litre tank now ensures decent autonomy for this mechanical ogre.
The best ? In 1981, the 911 Turbo did not have a manual gearbox. RUF will then design one which will then serve as the basis for his next creations, such as the CTR that we have in our hands. Want even better? A wheel placed between the seats allows you to manage the pressure of the turbos grafted on the Flat6…
At start-up, we find the sound so characteristic of the Air-cooled Flat6. A system abandoned by Porsche in 1998. The sound is fabulous! To this, the exhaust and the Turbo are added to bring a racing atmosphere.
The craziest thing is that this RUF turned out to be less difficult to drive than a vintage 911 . The tires are wider, the body is more rigid, and above all it has a new rear axle (multi-link) making it more precise and progressive in its reactions. It will be necessary to wait 6 years (1993) for the manufacturer Porsche itself to adopt an equivalent on its new generation of 911, type 993…
Two years later, in 1995, RUF released the CTR 2 based on the 993 Turbo. Its particularity was to be devoid of all-wheel drive, despite its 520 hp. What to allow him to pick up world’s fastest road car title again of its time, with a V-max of 350 km/h.
Today RUF mainly offers three models: – the SCR (2018): for pure, old-fashioned driving pleasure with its atmospheric 4.0-litre 510 hp Flat-6 and its mechanical gearbox – the CTR 3: built like the prototypes of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a carbon monocoque structure and a steel cage chassis. Because Yes, since 2007 RUF has been building Supercars! – and finally the CTR Anniversaire or CTR4: the direct descendant of the Yellow Bird.
Launched in 2017 for the 30th anniversary of the Yellow Bird, the CTR 4 is based on an in-house aluminum chassis (and no longer Porsche) then clad in a monocoque body entirely in carbon fiber. All the work remains artisanal, entirely done by hand in the workshop, in the style ofa racing car with haute couture sauce . Production is limited to 50 examples and at present 20 models have been built and sold at a unit price of one million euros.
With this CTR, RUF offers the absolute dream of every Porschist! Under his body inspired by the 911 type 964 of the 90s – certainly the most beautiful 911 of all time – its Flat6 – 3.6 liter biturbo develops 710 hp while the total body weight is only 1,250 kg … The fusion of the retro look with the most modern technologies. A beautiful tribute to his ancestor! Of course, we were curious to see what it feels like to have an RUF in your hands…
All those who have already had the chance to drive or even drive a Porsche (worthy of the name) know it: we are close to perfection when it comes to sports cars. But RUF’s philosophy is to offer more, and above all differently… To maximize the potential of the Stuttgart models to achieve unparalleled performance and sensations. To offer their own vision of the Porsche in short, with a neo-retro sauce. And what a result!
On board, we discover a refined old-fashioned cabin… No multimedia screen, an analog instrumentation block and plenty of carbon (seats, cockpit). We also benefit from a good old mechanical gearbox, which has become very rare on the new 911s… And exceptional on a sports car of such power!
Because at the back, it’s 710 real horses just waiting to be unleashed. And what a breath! The push is endless. The accelerations are monstrous. The pick-ups are just as impressive, whatever the ratio. Above all, I clearly feel the lightness of the machine, which has one of the best “weight/power” ratios in the world.
A few figures: 0 to 100 km/h shot down in 3.5 s… same exercise up to 200 km/h in 9 s… and a V-max of 360 km/h. It talks about ! But the most sensational remains what we live behind the wheel. In recovery with the wheels perfectly aligned, you must always measure the pressure on the right pedal. All that is needed is a slightly curved road (so classic) for the catapult to be carried out in a crab. Because of course, this CTR is pure propulsion in order to offer unfiltered, optimal riding sensations.
Thus, we find a little the sensations of the Supercars of the 90s. But with a very modern precision of controls . Nothing is disunited, everything remains very rigid, we never fight with the hoop because the whole communicates perfectly and without latency. Of course, that must be another story on a technical circuit… But whatever the case, the sensations today are quite simply unique. It doesn’t seem to me that there is an equivalent in the automotive world…
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