RUF Automobile

For more than 70 years the name RUF has been associated with competence in the automotive industry.

In 1939 Alois Ruf senior founded the company “AUTO-RUF” as a general service garage in Pfaffenhausen, Southern Allgäu region. After the Second World War a gas station was added. In 1955 Ruf expanded again with a separate bus company. In the 60s the company gained invaluable experience by servicing and restoring Porsches.

Upon the death of Alois Ruf senior in 1974, his son, Alois Ruf junior, took over directorship at the age of 24. He vowed to continue the development and philosophy of innovation and quality for his company. This direction has set the international benchmark for sport automobiles. At the same time RUF has always remained true to the Porsche 911, an automobile with one-of-a-kind features.

The first RUF enhanced Porsche model made its debut in 1975. Two years later, the turbo charged 911 engine, which was enlarged to 3.3 liters by RUF through the use of larger pistons, had a distinct performance increase, 303 bhp instead of 260 bhp. The engine output was transmitted to the rear axle by a proto type of the RUF five-gear-transmission. This proved to be the first step towards a development that has become the backbone of RUF production and reputation.

This version was well received by customers as a sports car in 1978 and resulted in numerous orders.

Porsche offered its 911 with a far below its true performance potential output. RUF’s enhancement reached 217 bhp with 3.2 liters.

RUF Automobile responded to customers’ demands in 1981 with their own five speed transmission. In the same year RUF received the prestigious and coveted Manufacturers’ Certification from the German Federal Vehicle Officers.

The company’s first “work of art”, representing the culmination of RUF engineering advancements for the 911, was brought together in 1983 with the introduction of the RUF BTR. This model, with a 3.4 liter turbo engine with 374 bhp and five speed transmission, was available in either a narrow body or turbo body configuration.

The construction of each vehicle begins at the bare chassis level in the RUF tradition of handmade craftsmanship. RUF does not restrict developments to the engine, transmission, or chassis, but also addresses improvements in wheels and brakes – a novelty in the industry.

In cooperation with Dunlop, RUF designed in 1985, 17 inch wheels using the Dunlop RunFlat System, a system which was originally intended for the Porsche 959. This ingenious technological advancement guarantees maximum safety, even during high speed motoring.

Developments continued at an increasing pace and in 1987 the newest RUF high speed sports car, the CTR, received its certification for normal road use. The “Yellowbird”, a 469 bhp twin turbo coupé, exceeded the top speed world record for production cars on the Nardo race track at 342 km/h. In the same year, RUF Automobile GmbH became an approved manufacturer with the US authorities for safety and emissions (EPA and DOT).

New developments continued and the CTR and BTR became available with a six speed RUF transmission. Following the success of the 17 inch wheel design, further work led in 1991 to the introduction of 18 inch wheels.

Driving pleasure at its finest

In fall 1996 the development of a new, challenging project was finished: Just like the Yellowbird, presented in 1987, the CTR 2 with a top speed of 340 km/h sported an array of technically innovative features underlining its deserved position atop the RUF model range.

The CTR 2 engine event met the stringent US emissions standard with an excellent performance and many favourable press reports. The 3.6 liter flat six twin turbo’s peak power output was tuned to 520 bhp at 5,800 rpm. Beyond its aerodynamic value, the CTR 2’s rear wing served as an air box with an integrated inlet to feed the twin intercoolers. Beginning a new tradition, the RUF CTR 2 had an integrated roll cage that completely fit into the interior of the car. This added an additional measure of safety without sacrificing ease of entry in and out of the car.

For the Porsche 993 twin turbo, RUF has offered with its turboR an increase in performance to 490 bhp since 1997. In numerous tests against the best high-powered sports cars, this car was the winner in the sector of drivability, performance and maximum speed.

With the introduction of the water-cooled 996 and Boxster model generation came new prospects for future RUF products. The RUF 3400 S, unveiled at the 1999 Essen Motor Show, enhanced the power available to the Boxster line. The 3400 S has a power output of 310 bhp.

The new millennium still sees RUF covering niche markets for customers with special requirements. That is why the 385 bhp RUF RGT, which was built on the basis of the 996 Carrera, came to be with a normal aspirated engine with a dry oil pump with a separate oil tank. It was certified for sale in the United States.

In 2002, following along with RUF’s turbo traditions, the Rturbo was launched; a car with 520 bhp and capable of a top speed of over 345 km/h. Customer options are nearly limitless: They have the choice of a Carrera body shell, wide body turbo shell, or sport version. There is also the option for an Rturbo cabriolet.

For the model year 2002, RUF created the logical evolution of the 3400 S: the 3600S. Powered by the optimized 3.6 liter naturally aspirated engine of the 996 Carrera (with up to 345 bhp), the 3600 S betters the concept of the comfortably powerful roadster even further through the combination of a uniquely designed exhaust system, rear carbon fibre undertray, and advanced frontal aerodynamics.

Additionally, RUF created the next more powerful RUF Rturbo having 550 bhp in 2002 and 590 bhp in 2003.

In spring 2004, the sports version of the RUF RGT with 395 bhp and principally created for the American market, revived the philosophy of the pure sportiness of the 911 Carrera from 1973: A light weight construction along with a naturally aspirated engine. The rear spoiler design of the sporty RGT stylistically follows the fashion of “duck tale” of 1973.

For modern sports cars, there is often not enough ground clearance, especially in city traffic. In summer 2004, RUF began offering a sport suspension that is hydraulically height adjustable and offers 50 mm more ground clearance by pressing a button at speeds up to 60 kilometres per hour.

At the Essen Motor Show in November 2004, RUF presented the RUF Rt 12. This RUF turbo is based on the 997 Carrera, with a 650 bhp 3.8 liter twin turbo engine.

The RUF Kompressor kits, developed for the water cooled Boxster S 3.4 liter, Cayman S, 996 3.6 liter and 997 Carrera models without direct injection, offer an output of 430 to 465 bhp and combine best possible acceleration with highest possible torque.

In June 2005 RUF and STUDIOTORINO presented the RUF RK Spyder with a 3.8 liter Kompressor engine with a power output of 420 bhp. The world premiere of the RUF RK Coupé with a STUDIOTORINO chassis and a 440 bhp 3.8 liter Kompressor engine took place in California in August 2006.

One month later RUF Automobile GmbH was affiliated to the VDA (The German Association of the Automotive Industry).

In April 2007 RUF presented the proto type of the latest super sports car from Pfaffenhausen: the RUF CTR 3.

The RUF CTR 3 is an independent development with technical highlights like the 700 bhp bi-turbo mid engine with a sequential shift six speed gearbox. The mid engine design provides exceptional balance and agile handling, while the longer wheel base provides better driving stability at high speed. Production of the CTR 3 started in 2008.

In May 2007 the RUF Rt 12 won 1st place of the readers’ choice of the German “sport auto” magazine in the category of super sport cars in front of Bugatti 16.4 Veyron and the Ferrari 599 GTB.

On the 25th anniversary as an international authorised car manufacturer, RUF built the edition model 3400 K – a Kompressor sports car which is available in two body versions: as Coupé and Roadster.

In October 2008 RUF presented the first German electric automobile: the eRUF. In March 2009 we presented another spectacular electric prototype at the Geneva motor show. This prototype was developed in cooperation with Siemens Corporate Technology. The power output is 270 kW (367 bhp) and offers phenomenal torque of over 900 Nm. Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h is 5 seconds, maximum speed is 250 km/h.

In 2009, the successor of the Rt 12, the Rt 12 S was introduced. The S has advanced standard equipment with integrated roll cage and a ceramic brake system. The output of the twin turbo engine was upgraded to 685 bhp – 35 bhp more than the extremely successful Rt 12. Standard equipment are ceramic brakes and an integrated roll cage. Thereby, RUF managed to bring the performance to perfection.

The Rt 12 S stands for a super sports automobile for every day use, which is unprecedented with a maximum speed of 360 km/ and maximum torque of 880 Nm.

Since August 2009 RUF offers Diesel power. Two RUF options, 288 bhp and 310 bhp, upgrade the standard Porsche Cayenne Diesel (240 bhp).

Not only as an automobile manufacturer, but also as an automobile refiner, specialists in vintage car restoration and rebuilds of classic RUF and Porsche automobiles, RUF has made a name for itself. RUF also carries out service and crash repair.

RUF Automobile GmbH in Pfaffenhausen currently employs 65 people.