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

Wogmidget

Ruf’s styling department is almost as unimaginative as Porsche’s

03/08/2017 - 12:00 |
4 | 6

I’m not sure you understand the concept of Ruf.

03/08/2017 - 13:02 |
14 | 0

That’s like saying Shelby is unimaginative because they all look like Fords. Or Alpina because they all look like BMWs.

03/08/2017 - 15:48 |
6 | 0
lowie t

“Not based on a porsche”
Still exactly the same as a porsche.

03/08/2017 - 12:06 |
4 | 2
Itsuki

It’s only February and I’ve found my car of the year already. Nothing can top this imo

03/08/2017 - 12:37 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Itsuki

Its March actually

03/08/2017 - 13:33 |
12 | 0
Bring a Caterham To MARS

It’s official.
RUFs always will be…

03/08/2017 - 12:41 |
24 | 0
Nishant Dash

Stop f**king lyin

03/08/2017 - 12:41 |
4 | 6

Y downvotes

03/08/2017 - 14:59 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

The rear looks like Rockstar’s version of Porsche :D

03/08/2017 - 13:07 |
14 | 4
Anonymous

makes me go ruf ruf, ri rike rit!

03/08/2017 - 13:14 |
2 | 4
Anonymous

This is the coolest car of the year so far for me. 700hp manual rwd and looks of a retro porsche? Yes please.

03/08/2017 - 13:18 |
54 | 0
Anonymous

Ruf just raised the Roof, no?

03/08/2017 - 13:29 |
4 | 2
Anonymous

I really like it. Look very retro and stylish with the flat rear lights.

03/08/2017 - 13:31 |
6 | 0