The Brand New Ruf That Isn't Based On A Porsche Still Looks Like One Anyway

We got all excited when the non-Porsche Ruf was announced a few days ago, but its completely carbonfibre body is a copy of, you guessed it, a 1980s 911
The Brand New Ruf That Isn't Based On A Porsche Still Looks Like One Anyway

You know we said Ruf had built its own car that for the first time wasn’t based on a Porsche? Well, as it turns out, it’s not quite the split from convention that we imagined.

In homage to the 1987 CTR Yellow Bird, a completely bonkers 210mph version of the contemporary 911, Ruf has clothed its brand new carbon-tubbed CTR 2017 in a body that, well, let’s just say Porsche might be a bit miffed if Ruf hasn’t asked permission.

The reason for bothering with an all-new chassis, then? Porsche’s latest are too big to get the effect Ruf wanted.

The Brand New Ruf That Isn't Based On A Porsche Still Looks Like One Anyway

It’s 1987 styling all over again, with flat-cut five-spoke alloys and a gigantic spoiler, yellow paint and upright, round headlights. But the details are very much 2017, like the lower ride height, the modern headlight technology and the obviously not Porsche interior, clothed in Alcantara at almost every surface apart from the tartan leather seats.

That amazingly wide body is all carbon, too, so you really, really wouldn’t want to crash it even at low speed. Is it a slice of pure hotness or is it a shame that Ruf didn’t come up with its own styling to match all the effort it put into building the chassis?

The Brand New Ruf That Isn't Based On A Porsche Still Looks Like One Anyway

Either way, it’s fast. A dry weight of just 1200kg makes it lighter than a McLarenn 720S, but taller gearing for the 700bhp twin-turbo Ruf means it’s not as fast. Expect 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and 0-124mph in less than nine, but the top speed of 224mph does trump the McLaren’s 212mph.

Traction comes from 305-section rear tyres that dwarf the 245-section fronts, and it needs plenty of grip to contain the 649lb ft of torque at just 2750rpm. The engine, a Porsche-mimicking 3.6-litre flat-six, is built by Ruf itself based on the design of the engine in the 1987 Yellow Bird.

We don’t know whether to love it for blending the old and the new so completely, or wish the exterior was more than just a carbon copycat.

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Comments

Toni Sukles

I need it…for reasons…

03/08/2017 - 09:58 |
318 | 2
DragzMR2

old design combined with new technology? I NEED IT

03/08/2017 - 10:03 |
168 | 4

Perfect formula for me and a lot of other folks.
Screw all your fancy gimmicks, I need a pure, modern (and affordable, LOL) driving machine, that looks like a refreshed oldie.

03/08/2017 - 15:53 |
14 | 0
DeKileCH (Opel Squad)

In reply to by DragzMR2

I really hope more manufacturers follow this line.

03/08/2017 - 17:16 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

The 1980s era of retro styling really appeals to me so I’m glad RUF have managed to keep it alive. To me it’s perfect, the old styling and the new technology is perfect, though I can understand why it may not be everyone’s cup of tea…

03/08/2017 - 10:04 |
28 | 6
Anonymous

Wait.

You didn’t force a carbon copy pun into the headline?

That’s just unnatural and wrong.

03/08/2017 - 10:15 |
216 | 8
Jakob

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

What a missed opportunity. You guys need to hire a new headline writer.

03/08/2017 - 11:06 |
20 | 0
That Audi guy

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

It’s their first try….
Can’t be too Ruf with them

Sorry

03/08/2017 - 14:46 |
88 | 0
Freddie Skeates

Nobody does Porsche better than Ruf. And not only in the sense of improving them turning them up to 11, but now in the stereotypical sense that they release cars that look the same as they did 30 years ago and call them ‘new’

[Clarkson intensifies]

03/08/2017 - 10:15 |
36 | 2
BV86_OFISHAL (AUDM Fanboy)

i’d rather have a singer 911

03/08/2017 - 10:21 |
6 | 2

Troll detector ringing here

03/10/2017 - 01:00 |
0 | 0
Mark Mason

Se..se…se…se…SEVEN HUNDRED BHP? All carbon fiber body? Looks lije an 80s Porsche? I need it. I need it now.

03/08/2017 - 10:38 |
18 | 4
Anonymous

It looks RUFly like a Porsche!

03/08/2017 - 10:43 |
92 | 10
The Prius Of Brands Hatch

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Out.

03/09/2017 - 01:35 |
10 | 0
Dat muscle guy (Sam Stone)(Camaro Squad)(Die augen leader)(E

I like it

03/08/2017 - 10:53 |
2 | 2
Anonymous

Sooooooo, any chance of a BTR reboot?

03/08/2017 - 11:20 |
2 | 0