Porsche 911: Ruf Equipped V8 Beats Porsche to the Punch

The German turner
Ruf Automobiles is
known for modifying
Porsche offerings by
providing among other
things, more power
and better handling.

And later this year,
the tuner will release a
997 based 911 equipped
with a V8 water-cooled
engine located at the rear
of the car. It is reported
to be a 90-degree V8 of
4.5-liters making 550 hp

and 369 lb. ft. of torque at a screaming 8500 rpm. Additionally, the engine is
a modern light-weight design that weighs 100 lbs. less than the current Porsche
flat-six engine. Such is good news as it will result in less weight near the rear
axle which will benefit the car's handling. The power will be delivered through
a six-speed manual gearbox with a shortened shift action.

The engine is being developed independently by Ruf with input from
Reinhard Konneker who was an ex-Porsche engineer and who also
worked with the BMW Sauber F1 team.

Other modifications by Ruf to the standard 911 include a RGT-8 badge,
an integrated roll cage, 19 inch Ruf wheels with a single center retaining
nut (similar to F1 race cars), and ceramic brakes.

Furthermore, customers will also be offered the 'Frere' package
that includes special front bumpers and front nose as well as a different
dashboard. The name of the package is a tribute to the great Belgian
racer Paul Frere who won the 1953 Le Mans driving a Porsche 550.

To be sure, the Ruf V8 engined 911 will be expensive at about
$300,000. For the next 911 (likely code name 991 or 998), Porsche
will offer its own V8 engined 911 and the price should be about
one-half the cost of the Ruf unit.

Have an auto question or comment? You can email it to me at
Kbusch3@verizon.net. Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the Best
for the Price..." www.DriveTheBestBook.com.