RUF Automobile

Porsche's sensation in the late 1980s was the 959, a high tech 911 with sophisticated four-wheel drive, adjustable chassis and a 450 bhp twin turbo engine. 

It was the time of top speed records and RUF introduced its record breaking car in 1987: The CTR, a lightweight 911 with a high tech engine. 

The use of lighter materials such as aluminium for doors and bonnet knocks a full 200 kg off the Carrera's body weight. From a capacity of 3,366 cm³ the company's very first twin turbo flat six produces 469 bhp at 5,950 rpm delivered to the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission. 

330 mm cross-drilled & ventilated Brembo brakes provide the negative acceleration.

The CTR features the Denloc system which has been developed in cooperation with the tyre manufacturer Dunlop. The system enabled one to drive home with a flat tyre.

In 1987 the CTR faced the sports car establishment at the Volkswagen test track Ehra-Lessien. The Formula One World Champion Phil Hill and the Le Mans winner Paul Frère set up a top speed of 339,8 kph, thus making the RUF CTR the fastest production automobile!

One year later, Bernd Ostman, today chief editor of „auto motor und sport“, even reached 342 kph at the Nardo Track in Italy. With the CTR, RUF had developed a super car suitable for everyday use that exceeds the performance of the Ferrari F40. 

10 years after the CTR's presentation, the time was right for a successor: Just like the "Yellow Bird" presented in 1987, the CTR 2 sports an array of technically innovative features underlining its top position within the RUF model range.

For the first time ever, the combination of carbon fibre brake discs and 19" forged magnesium wheels is used in a road legal sports car. The 3,600 cm³ flat six twin turbo's peak power output is 520 bhp at 5,800 rpm.

Beyond its aerodynamic use, the CTR 2's rear wing serves as an airbox and as an inlet to feed the intercoolers.

Apart from RUF sports seats, instruments & gauges, the interior attracts one's attention with an Integrated Roll Cage (IRC) which can not be seen at the very first sight.

However, these are only a few aspects of a car the media compare to the likes of the McLaren F1 or the Ferrari F50...

Exactly 20 years after the legendary CTR "Yellowbird" and 10 years after the second CTR, RUF announces the all new CTR 3. The CTR 3 was presented in April 2007. While the first two CTR generations still had their engines in the rear, the new CTR 3 has a mid engine design. However, one thing that the CTR 3 has in common with its two predecessors is that it is a pure driving machine. The CTR 3 is made to involve the driver in the driving experience.

The mid engine design provides exceptional balance and agile handling, while the longer wheel base provides better driving stability at high speed. The body of the CTR 3 is a completely new development which is not based on any existing mid engine concept. It is aerodynamically designed for high speed. The body is constructed in steel, aluminium and Kevlar-carbon. Galvanized steel is used for the front structure and the passenger compartment. The engine and transmission are fixed in a space frame and modular tubular frame construction. The passenger compartment is protected by the latest version of the famous RUF integrated rollcage which is integrated into the A pillar and tube frame. The doors, with integrated side impact protection beams, and the front hood are made of aluminium. The body shell is made of kevlar-carbon composite.

The concept of this classic sports car was maturing in Alois Ruf's head for a long time. Together with his design and engineering team he now realized this idea. RUF has 30 years of experience with turbo charged boxer engines. The CTR 3's twin turbo charged 3.8 litre flat six cylinder engine has an output of 700 hp at 7,000 rpm. The maximum torque is 657 ft/lbs at 4,000 rpm. The maximum torque is 657 ft/lbs at 4,000 rpm. This engine design combines a compact construction with high performance. Each turbo charger is provided with an intercooler which is placed in front of each rear wheel.

The sequential shift 6 speed transmission in the CTR 3 is a new design and is transversally mounted. It can manage torque up to 855 ft/lbs. A shift indicator on the dashboard shows the gear in use. A limited slip differential is provided to maximize performance. The sport suspension is designed for high level driving dynamics and safety. The front axles use McPherson struts and an anti-roll bar. The rear axles utilize motor sport technology with horizontal coil over shock absorbers fixed over pushrods connected to the wheel carriers.

The brake system is designed to match the high performance of the engine and suspension. Both front and rear axles utilize 6 piston fixed light alloy callipers and ventilated, cross drilled ceramic composite discs. Each brake disc is 380 mm in diameter. A specially designed Bosch anti-lock braking system is standard.

The CTR 3 rolls on forged aluminium wheels with centre lock. At the front 255/35 ZR 19'' tyres are mounted on 8.5'' x 19'' wheels, while at the rear 335/30 ZR 20'' tyres are mounted on 12.5'' x 20'' wheel.

The interior can be designed to the customer's taste, from a functional a functional light weight finish to sporty luxury finish with leather and alcantara. The aluminium gear shirt lever for the sequential shirt transmission is a central unit to the interior. In addition, the 260 mph speedometer shows the driver that the CTR 3 is made for high performance.

The lightweight construction allows for an empty weight (according to DIN) of 3,086 lbs. The result is a power to weight ratio of only 4.4 lbs per hp.

The performance of the CTR 3 is incredible. The acceleration from 0-100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) takes only 3.2 seconds. The maximum speed is 375 kph (235mph).