RUF Unveils Coolest Air Cooled Creation Ever
Legendary builder RUF dazzles with three amazing models for Monterey Car Week.
Air Cooled
The air-cooled engine has made a triumphant return, albeit with a twist. Amid the Monterey Car Week extravaganza, the recently unveiled RUF Tribute is causing quite a stir. Its allure lies in an entirely fresh air-cooled flat-six engine, meticulously crafted by the hands of Alois Ruf Jr., all elegantly encased within a timeless exterior. This marvel pays homage to the original air-cooled 911 - a vehicular masterpiece that ignited the passion within Ruf Jr. to establish his eponymous automotive enterprise.
An Ode to The Golden Era
The foundation of the Tribute is a shared carbon monocoque with the RUF CTR Anniversary, a nod to the revered Yellowbird from the 1980s. The carbon monocoque platform is the only rear-engine chassis featuring a manual transmission in the industry, according to RUF. And that amazing combo encapsulates the manufacturer's philosophy for the future.
The Tribute boasts the iconic G-body Porsche 911 silhouette, featuring distinctive flared rear fenders, five double-spoke center-locking wheels, rear bumper vents, and the signature whale-tail rear wing. Notably, it is fortified with an integrated roll cage to bolster structural rigidity and enhance on-track safety. Unlike its predecessor's vibrant hue, the Tribute dons an elegant Olive Diamond Metallic attire.
Formidable Performance
Under the scrutiny of a rearward gaze, the engine bay reveals pushrod-actuated coilovers, akin to the engineering within the CTR Anniversary. The inheritance continues with the double-wishbone suspension and formidable brakes - a six-piston arrangement at the front and a four-piston setup at the rear.
Masterpiece of a Motor
Yet, the unequivocal star of this spectacle is the engine. Alois Ruf's brainchild, a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged air-cooled flat-six, unleashes a remarkable 550 horsepower. This potency is a product of billet-aluminum heads, pioneering four-cam three-valve technology (an unprecedented feat within air-cooled systems, as declared by RUF), variable valve timing and lift, and a cutting-edge dry-sump oil system. While performance benchmarks are held close to the vest, it is reasonable to anticipate a sprint to 60 mph that slightly trails the CTR Anniversary's swift 3.5-second sprint time, despite the Tribute's 150 hp deficit.
But Wait, There's More!
In tandem with the Tribute, RUF unveiled two additional gems at Monterey: the CTR3 Evo and the R Spyder. The CTR3 Evo is a performance-oriented iteration of the CTR Clubsport, armed with a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine delivering a remarkable 800 horsepower and 730 lb-ft of torque. Setting it apart from convention, the CTR3 Evo employs a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission equipped with paddle shifters, solidifying its dedication to the track. Constructed around a steel chassis and adorned with a carbon fiber exterior, the CTR3 Evo embodies power and purpose, tempting owners to chase its exhilarating top speed of 236 mph.
RUF Stuff
The R Spyder, reminiscent of Porsche's 911 Speedster, is an aesthetically captivating creation. Its open-top design is accentuated by the double-rollover bar, while a departure from tradition presents individual windscreens for its occupants. Powering the R Spyder is a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that bestows 515 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque.
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