C.J. Ichiban

First of all to you (pl) who've got one in your garage...congratulations.

secondly- damn you bastards.

for everyone who wonders how cool it is- this is for you.

Yesterday I spent about 7 hours in Pfaffenhausen at the RUF factory, getting a tour from Alois himself and hanging around to see some guys order their RT12s. It was really a great experience overall thanks to RUF dallas for setting it up. the shop is really cool because they do everything from welding to paint to engine dyno, chassis dyno to assembly right there in different sections. I also got to check out the ctr3 prototype which is housed in an area 51 off campus a bit.

of course photos aren't allowed which sucks but then again it would be bad if someone dropped a fender or cylinder head on the ground because you're taking flash photos

so- when you go to youtube and type in rt12- you've all seen that video of the mexico blue on the nordschliefe, right? well if not go check it out.


anyway- they've got that car around to demonstrate to future customers how great and driveable the car really is.

So, H.P. takes me out around the local roads, flying around 80km speed limit curves at 230-250, demonstrates that the car will roll forward at 8mph with just modulating the clutch in second gear, and how if there is a really slow local tractor going 30mph you can drop anchor from 150mph and stop in time.

this is where I almost wet myself.


so after some high and low speed braking, rolling and driving, it's my time behind the wheel.

first off- the clutch is super light, really easy to engage compared to my experience in a series of standard porsches, and my highly modified 993TT. it really just rolls forward with no sputtering and no drama thanks to the ECU which keeps just enough fuel to stop it from that stuttering crap I've had in my 3 911's previously at parking lot speeds.

secondly- shifting is easy. no drama there...it's just kinda scary how the car makes you feel safe.


so, after a few easy turns, I let it rip in 3rd gear- full throttle.

650hp really just leaves you breathless and searching for superlative adjectives to relay what it's really like. it just feels like you're a golf ball and you get slammed down the fairway- really fast. that's the closest thing I can think of in regards to the acceleration.

the torque is really cool and yet somehow while I'm flying around 2 lane roads, hitting curves doing 145 mph or so I just think to myself- **** this car is worth over $400k don't crash it, don't be that guy- but really the traction is so good. I never felt like it wanted to snap loose or anything- completely unlike my gt3, or especially my TT (with 580hp and no tcs)- I could feel the downforce and AWD really working with the tires to keep me planted. I kept waiting to feel the tires chirp or the suspension skip off something but it just kinda squatted and chucked into each turn, holding it all right on line.


Oh and slamming the brakes before entering the little farm village was fun too. same thing though, just brake noise and the car slows down- tires don't smoke or skip or chirp. this feels like the safest and controlled yet explosive car in the world.

so...who wants to buy me one? nevermind didn't think so.


so afterwards, me and the bulgarian guy, and the macedonian guy who are both ordering theirs- (black and ferrari orange/red, respectively) were discussing with Alois, and H.P. about why a softer suspension set up is better...

RUF said
*it makes the car more predictable on real roads- and allowing the car to lean a bit here and there keeps all the wheels on the ground instead of snapping off the tarmac with a car too stiffly set, but basically their opinion is that having a bit more play (as opposed to a full cup car style set up) allows the edges and limits to be progressive and not snap- bang -you're on fire upside down in turn 3. So obviously it's tricky to set up but you want the softest suspension you can use on the track rather than the stiffest one you can stand on the road, but it's up to each customer to test their car and Ruf makes the adjustments to suit their needs.


I've got some more written up on my other blog at www.cjwilson.mlblogs.com but don't want to bore you guys with OT stuff.

-c.j.

eclou

Sounds like someone is having fun! I personally would have avoided the test ride. It kind of spoils you forever. Keep it coming CJ!!

C.J. Ichiban

what I really need is a co-driver like in WRC so I can shoot photos and videos while driving...I've got to say the euro delivery is a good time for all who consider it- especially in a TT in the spring or summer, that would be the best.

eclou

CJ who was your delivery specialist? Tilmann perhaps?

leonsamonas

CJ,

sounds like you had fun, i remember a similar first test drive with HP. I read your private message last week and didn't get a chance to reply...I suppose now I don't need to

all the best

TT Surgeon

I'm jealous!

ToffeGT2

You can't go wrong with Ruf, thanks for the write up...

TT Surgeon

It would be hard to get back into that GT3 after driving that 650hp Ruf.

OldGuy

DOes any one know how much it costs to drop off your GT3 and have them turn it into a RUF?
I only know the prices from scratch.

C.J. Ichiban

leon- dude I sent that PM 6 months ago!

TTsurgeon, I've already got a twin plug TT at home, so of course the straight line speed is already down but nothing revs up and screams like the GT3. especially through the tunnels in italy. I'll post a youtube video tonight.

Paul/ OG- uh well I'm not sure what they do as a package but "at Ruf we fear no job, never have"

so you can get that thing painted and converted...the Camoflage RGT...I can see it now!


they did conversions on 996 gt3's so I'm sure they'll do it. just gotta figure out what they do for the cylinder heads and stuff to get the extra HP- but RUF does amazing body work in germany! the real cool thing about all the RUF vin # cars is the Integrated Roll Cage...really stiffens it all up in a good way and gives you a huge piece of mind.

tetzlafh

C.J., did you get to see Porsche 901 #37 or the Yellowbird?

As for the "Area 51" site there is some really sick cars in there depending on customer rotation.

OldGuy

Chris its not that hard to get back into a GT3 -its the difference between the rush of power of the RGT or
the rush of handling responsiveness the GT3 gives you. People will give up the power for the responsiveness all the time. Thats why alot of TT owners go to a GT3.

Stummel

how much faster does the rt12 feel compared to the andial?

C.J. Ichiban

stummel to be honest when you're holding on for dear life it's all the same! I know my car is faster than a ctr2, or a 996 rturbo (except maybe the 590 2wd), but it's kinda the same thing, andial made the car really driveable, and when I put new PS2 tires on recently it made the whole driving experience much better. RT12 is faster and high end speeds 150+ (waaaaaay better aero) for sure but for 30-80mph or 50-130 mph you can't tell too much difference.

brakes are so much smoother and more powerful on the RUF, as is the ability to lug out of gear and still make power, like they say "the torque saves the tranny- you shift less"

but at that level of acceleration (0-60 under 4 seconds easy) they're both stupid fast, but the andial is flexy and has way less traction than the rt12 being 11 years old now...but to be honest- for what it is (decade old car), my TT is blazing fast...for sure the most brutal acceleration I've ever felt...it's just so much more stable to go fast in the RUF.

C.J. Ichiban

oh and Tetz I got to see both the 901 and yellowbird, also there was an Estoril blue RGT, a white custom RGT with sequential shift, cup suspension, plexi windows, etc for a customer in dubai or Saudi arabia...2 ferrari 512bb, a few 356's, a Ford GT that they custom painted for a customer, a vintage 550, tons of cool cars!