Tuesday 7th March 2017

2017 Ruf CTR - Geneva 2017

The Yellowbird turns 30 with a carbon chassis, 710hp and a manual gearbox - to the Nordschleife!

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For those not in the know, it would be easy to miss (and indeed dismiss) the new Ruf CTR. See to most eyes it probably looks like an old 911; not only do we see plenty of those already, the whole Ruf stand is old Porsches...

964-aping looks hide carbon monocoque

Except this isn't old - it's brand new. To mark 30 years since the original Yellowbird was launched (and that video was made), Ruf has produced another CTR that's not only its first car entirely designed and engineered in house, but also the world's first rear-engined car with a carbon monocoque. Not just another 911 then.

That bespoke monocoque is clothed in carbon panels; combined with lightweight steel for both the crash structures and the integrated roll cage Ruf claims a dry weight of 1,200kg. Call it around 1,300kg with a driver and fluids. Bear in mind a Huracan Performante is 1,382kg dry.

And the Lamborghini has to make do with 640hp. This CTR uses a twin-turbo 3.6-litre flat-six said to be "inspired by the design of the original" but producing 710hp at 6,750rpm and 649lb ft at 2,750rpm. A newly developed six-speed manual is the only gearbox option, power goes to only the rear wheels through a limited-slip diff and Ruf claims a 225mph top speed, passing 62mph in less than 3.5 seconds and 125mph in less than nine on the way. Wow.

710hp through a manual, an LSD and rear wheels...

Elsewhere the CTR uses double wishbones at each corner, carbon ceramic brakes (380mm front, 350mm rear), centre locking forged wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres. At the front they measure 245/35ZR19 and at the back they're 305/30ZR19. Interestingly that's the same width of rear tyre as you'll find on a new 911 Carrera GTS, with 250hp less...

The interior is described as "a further acknowledgement of the 2017 CTR's analogue philosophy", which is a lovely thing to hear in a show dominated by talk of electrified mobility, connectivity and autonomous driving. The seats are also carbon, the pedals are aluminium and Alcantara is used extensively with leather for "a balance between modern and retro design."

Estonia Ruf says of the car: "We began development on the new CTR five years ago with the goal of creating a thrilling, analogue driving experience that combines an amazing power-to-weight ratio, manual transmission and modern racing technology." Sounds good enough to us! Ruf will build just 30 of these new CTRs, with production due to begin by 2018. Get moving!

[m444ttb]

I may be in a minority, but I'd take this over a Singer I think.

[m444ttb]

Davey S2 said:

Ideally you'd have one of each.

I'd imagine the money side of that 'problem' is unlikely to be the issue too. It sounds like getting on Ruf's list is likely to be why you won't have both.