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Ruf developing all-electric Porsche Cayman
Despite the fact that Lotus seems to have the inside line on electric sportscars, longtime Porsche tuning firm Ruf has chosen the Cayman for its new electric supercar. Comparisons to the Tesla Roadster are sure to come up, and we're happy to oblige. Compared to the latest Tesla drivetrain, the Ruf is expected to debut with a bit less overall power (150kW compared to 185kW) but will have considerably more twisting force (650Nm versus 375Nm). In other words, if the Ruf were a hatchet, the Tesla may be a scalpal, so to speak. A lithium-ion battery pack of unknown output will provide power to the motor. We don't yet know if the Ruf will sport multiple gears, but it seems distinctly possible in order to attain its planned top speed of around 125 miles per hour. We'd bet that any comparisons between the two electric sportscars will end at price, as the Ruf is sure to command an even heftier sum than the $100k Tesla Roadster. We'll find out next month what that price is and if it's worth it. Uh never mind... of course it'll be worth it.
NOTE: the photo above is of the RUF CT3 supercar, which is not based on the Cayman but sure does look like it.
[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JZeke 2:32PM (9/25/2008)
The Cayman only weighs 231lbs more than the Tesla (at 2954lbs) so the performance could be comparable...
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Stanton 4:25PM (9/25/2008)
The Tesla weighs about 700 pounds more than the Elise it's based on. Unless Ruf decides to sacrifice range by only using a small battery pack, it'll be a neat trick if their electric Cayman ends up any less than 500 pounds heavier than a standard Cayman.
Tim 2:39PM (9/25/2008)
Holy cow that thing is awesome, and of course the future. Green, fast and good looking. what else do you want?
Greetz tim - http://dignova.com
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Torrent 2:53PM (9/25/2008)
Green, Fast, Good looking and AFFORDABLE.
But anyway, I think this may not turn out as bad as it sounds. I mean the Tesla is a great example of an electric sportscar, so why leave Tesla to enjoy the fruits of their labor, when it could have some good, healthy competition?
Good move, IMO.
Andre 2:38PM (9/25/2008)
Man, A lot of EV incarnation news popping up lately..
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Ben 2:43PM (9/25/2008)
Awesome! The one complain I have about electric cars is the douche bag eco styling. I cant wait for the mainstream to start developing electric or hybrid cars that look applealing. But I guess if you make the green cars look applealing than the rest of the line up big oil will flip out! Kilowats are cheaper than gallons!
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Noz 5:44PM (9/25/2008)
Douchebag eco styling?
Next time you sit in am aircraft, think about that stupid statement. That douchebag eco-styling called AERODYNAMICS is saving your ass from falling out of the sky, saving your ass from loads more dollars you'd otherwise have to pay to get from A to B.
Ben 6:39PM (9/25/2008)
Noz
Ill keep that in mind when I want my car to fly. Most This isnt AEROBLOG.
And yes cars such as the Prius, Volt and FCX do have douchebag eco-styling
Mi key 2:52PM (9/25/2008)
Wow! That's a Cayman gone Wild.
From a Weight and Performance aspect which would be better a Hybrid version or an EV model or would it be just the same?
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mr.ed 3:24PM (9/25/2008)
Typical exotic. Impaired/zero rear visibilty.
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graham 3:08PM (9/25/2008)
Just wondering...
Why is it that if an electric car debuts we are given the power and torque in kW and nm? I have no problem with metric, but output figures of a car from... well... anywhere outside of the United States are almost always converted into hp and lb-ft to put the numbers in more relative terms? I never really questioned in until now, I just assumed kW and nm went hand in hand with electric, but really they don't any more than any other power source.
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Casper 7:24PM (9/25/2008)
I guess you could convert it, but in terms of electricity, theres no English units for electricity. Its all in volts, amps, and ohms, which are all based off the (more intelligent) scientific system.
Seriously though, this country needs to get off the English system, it makes no sense.
The Other Bob 3:08PM (9/25/2008)
I was just thinking that GM should create an electric Corvette. They could put the electric motor in place of the rear transaxle and adjust battery placement for f/r/ balance.
I know all the Corvette people out there just threw up a little, but think about it for a sec.
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graham 3:13PM (9/25/2008)
To put the power in context a standard Cayman makes 180kW power and a Cayman S produces 217 kW.
To put it in another context, this electric motor makes 201hp compared to 245 and 295 for the Cayman and Cayman S respectively
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MUSASHI66 3:24PM (9/25/2008)
Scalpal?
I am sure you meant Scalpel.
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bkosen 5:24PM (9/25/2008)
it's starting to look like a good starting grid for an all ev class. scca are you taking notes?
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why not the LS2LS7? 4:10PM (9/25/2008)
There is much discussion as to whether the RUF CT3 is based upon the Cayman or not. Kinda odd it looks so much like a Cayman and is mid-engined but is based upon the 911. Many in the know seem to suggest that the CT3 is based upon the Cayman but Porsche doesn't want them to say to, because Porsche is always slightly apprehensive about the idea of the (cheaper) Cayman being perceived as more capable than a 911.
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BoxerFanatic 6:00PM (9/25/2008)
Either way they did a real number on the wheelbase.
The back end of that car is REALLY long, even compared to the V10 Carrera GT.
The wheels and fenders are much further rearward than the Cayman or the Carrera (996/997).
The slotted rear cover looks a bit old-school, but it doesn't do many favors, and it suffers from the same bubble-roof look as the Cayman. Too tight a compound curve in the roof skin makes it look very round and overly tall in the center.
The front obviously looks 997-like, but that is an easy skin change.
The wheels seem to be centerlug, like the CGT, and it does use re-purposed euro-red Boxster/Cayman tail lights.
Interesting concept, the CT3, but not graceful enough to be truly porsche. Porsche could do better, aesthetically, at least, the mechanicals underneath ARE Porsche, for all intents and purposes. RUF does good work, but their new aesthetics for their body kits, and this CT3, are slightly heavy-handed. Luckily not quite as heavy handed as Gemballa, or as distorted as 9ff's love of chopped roofs, though.
Mirko 6:51PM (9/25/2008)
Another customer for AC Propulsion?
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Gary 11:37PM (9/25/2008)
Is a top speed of 125 miles per hour considered amazing?
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