Ruf set to launch Cayman-based CTR3 supercar
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UPDATE: We've spoken to Ruf, who have corrected us regarding the Porsche Cayman. The CTR 3 is not Cayman-based. The car's body is designed by Ruf. Only the taillamps are sourced from the Cayman. The car's transmission is a 6-speed sequential gearbox, not a seven-speed as had been rumored.
UPDATE 2: New post with full technical specifications provided by RUF here.
Fabled über-performance builder Ruf, the house of mad genius that brought us enthusiast miracles such as the legendary CTR "Yellow Bird," appears ready to knock everyone's socks off once again. This time, the wow factor is attached to the company's new CTR3, a Porsche Cayman-based supercar that makes its debut today in Bahrain, where is likely no shortage of individuals able to pony up the car's projected $300,000 price tag.
Under its aluminum and carbon-fiber skin, which makes the CTR3 look like something that would have appeared right at home dueling the likes of the Toyota GT-ONE, Porsche 911 GT1, and McLaren F1 in LeMans races past, the new RUF has the heart of its bigger and equally insane brother, the 911 RT12. Its 3.8L twin-turbocharged six delivers 700 horsepower and 656 lb-ft of torque, all of which is sent rearward via a rumored seven-speed sequential gearbox. Top speed? Figure around 224 mph. Can an assault on the Nürburgring by this earthbound cruise missile be far off?
[Sources: Jalopnik, Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Nick 11:54AM (4/11/2007)
Jesus I love it. So glad they finally gave the Cayman what it deserved from the start.
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Tommy 11:58AM (4/11/2007)
...how do you figure 224MPH exactly?
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Jake 12:09PM (4/11/2007)
Absolutely beautiful. I wonder how much longer Porsche can hang onto the 911 when the Cayman is clearly a better drivetrain layout and can handle the power?
*Still wishing for a 993 911*
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allonblack 12:17PM (4/11/2007)
This is absolutely stunning.
Someone please find me larger pictures :D.
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Toy Yoda 12:24PM (4/11/2007)
The front looks nice, but the back looks weird. Hopefully they will give it to StudioTorino for a butt-lift.
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CoffeeJones 12:27PM (4/11/2007)
#3
> I wonder how much longer Porsche can hang onto the
> 911 when the Cayman is clearly a better drivetrain
> layout and can handle the power?
Whether or not this is true, the 911 is the very symbol of Porsche. It's why the rear engine layout and general shape hasn't changed in decades.
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Mr. Oak 12:27PM (4/11/2007)
I believe in Porsche engines in endurance racing. I believe in RUF for tuning Porsche engines to the nth degree. However, in RUF trim, that thing be the source of some spectacular pyrotechnics by hour 6 of LeMans. Hope it lasts until nightfall, the show would be even better.
I too, also believe that the Cayman has a lot of potential, but is being held down because of the 911.
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brad 12:29PM (4/11/2007)
Agreed. This thing is sweet enough to make me forget all about the "stock" GT3, GT3RSb and the GT2!
On a sidenote, if anyone is ever in Bavaria, it's definitely worth dropping these guys an email or call - I did it in 2003 and ended up getting a 2.5 hour personal tour of their facilities (it's very small) and a ride in the 996-based Rturbo. They were more than accomodating, despite the obvious fact that I was about €230,000 shy of driving one away...
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Nick 12:37PM (4/11/2007)
> 2. ...how do you figure 224MPH exactly?
The RUF press release states 360 km/h, which equates to 224 mph.
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Yago Bal 1:33PM (4/11/2007)
The rear is amazing -reminds me of the Auto-Unio record breakers- but the front is as disapointing as a regular Porsche...
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nagmashot 2:18PM (4/11/2007)
RUF is not a Porsche tuner.. RUF is a independent car producer by German law since 1981 and US law(DOT and EPA) since 1987. You will find not a single Porsche lable or production number on any RUF (complet cars).
Yes they produce cars based on Porsche technic... but it is only based on.
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Alex Nunez 2:26PM (4/11/2007)
Good point, nagmashot. The lead-in has been corrected to reflect that.
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Ty 3:26PM (4/11/2007)
In the words of a peanut brained celebrity: "That's Hot!"
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HotRodzNKustoms 3:27PM (4/11/2007)
They have tried and tried again to replace the 911 and it keeps selling better than any replacement Porsche can even come up with. Face it, the 911 will be here as long as there is a high end 2+2 sportscar market and everytime they make a new one those crazy Germans will figure out a way to keep it right up at top of the sportscar market. Though I do like this CTR3 thing, it is a lot of money for a Boxster coupe, personally I would be a bit more inclined if they made a Boxster CTR3 but still not $300,000 interested.
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Nick 4:09PM (4/11/2007)
Maybe the other models would sell better if Porsche didn't intentionally water them down so they slot in below the 911? Such was the case with the Cayman.
And $400,000 for this thing is peanuts, it's in the same league as the Carrera GT ($440,000), and then some.
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Mike 5:39PM (4/11/2007)
Ugly
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frank.filipponio 10:01PM (4/11/2007)
Oh God, I want this car. Although you can get a Carrera GT for similar money, I still love it.
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tealcyfre 10:57PM (4/11/2007)
I agree it would be good if Porsche could be freed from being forever wed to the rear-engine 911 layout however strong the historical association. I agree with the observation that one thing in particular the 911 layout has going for it is the 2+2 configuration. Perhaps with the coming of the Panamera the pressure to continue the 911 forever will be reduced, and, if Ruf shows the way, it may be possible to shift, however slowly, to a mid-engine configuration of greater potential.
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purist2 6:42PM (4/12/2007)
Hey people FORGET IT!! The car is NOT based on the CAYMAN. I read the German car magazine "Auto Motor und Sport" Yesterday and they say it is 911 front chassis and the rear is a own engineered by Ruf aluminium tubular frame - so no Cayman-stuff at all! - I am so happy to tell you that - because the PURE 911 ROCKS - and Ruf knows that ;)
see: www.auto-motor-sport.de
the m5-board also knows it already, it is in the thread: http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=1016602
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CaymanS 9:22PM (4/12/2007)
Is it rear engined? NO
Does it have tiny back seats? NO
So what car does it more closely resemble? The CAYMAN
Why? Because the mid engine Cayman handling dynamics are superior to the rear engined 911. Keep your useless back seats and rear weight biased 911 for a GT, the Cayman is a better racecar and this car proves it. Don't forget, the Cayman shares 50% of it parts with the 911. I drove a lot of different 911s, and bought a Cayman S, those in the know know why.
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