Ruf CTR-2 First, some history on Ruf products. Alois Ruf, probably one of Porsche's largest customers, started his own company, appropriately named Ruf Automobile GmbH. Zuffenhausen makes the legendary Porsche's, while Ruf modifies and enhances the Porsches. The Pfaffenhausen enhancements start with a Carrera 2 chassis. By the time the Porsche is fully modified and transformed, the car can legitimately carry a Ruf serial number, rather than Porsche's. There are some odd 200 Ruf cars distributed around the globe, with a single CTR-2, with a fat list price of $280,000. While the mechanics at Ruf have tended to overachieve mechanically, the cars tend to exhibit understated styling, marginally passing for standard Porsches. However, the CTR-2 departs from Ruf tradition in a stunning manner. The rear spoiler, in particular, makes the latest Porsche 911 Turbo look somewhat out dated. And what's even better, the piece of composite material serves dual purposes: its shape provides downforce for high-speed stability, and the internal ducting directs air to twin air-to-air intercoolers nestling in the CTR-2's haunches. Other exterior specialities include Ruf Sport mirrors that hug the A-pillars, rear bumper and rocker panels of composite material and a redesigned front spoiler, also of composite, with ducting to a force-fed oil cooler. Two things are apparent by their absence; namely, the standard Porsche's roof rain gutters, which are removed; and the quarter-panel roof seams, ordinarily simple lap joints, are welded. One advantage of this is a cleaner appearance; another is reduction of wind noise at elevated speed. The changes inside are well executed, yet subtle. There is an integrated roll- cage linking the A- and B-pillars with the winshield header. Its fully trimmed presence is essentially transparent, giving added robustness to the structure. Specially crafted Ruf seat offer enhanced lateral support. Amenities are not sacrificed for performance; air conditioning, a stereo system, power windows and mirrors still remain. Especially noteworthy are the CTR-2's brakes, massive discs of carbon fiber, the first application of such race-car technology on a road car. Diameters are 14.0 inches, front and rear; as is typical with this material, the discs are neither cross-drilled nor vented. Two advantages of carbon-fiber discs are their utter lack of fade--in fact, they relish heat--and they're light weight. Ruf figures a savings of 66 lb. compared with the weight of conventional iron discs. The carbon fiber breaks of the CTR-2 gives it a stopping distance of 126 feet from 60 mph, and 216 feet from 80 mph. The suspension of the CTR-2 displays Ruf specialities as well; indeed, these could be bought off-the-Ruf-shelf, so to speak, for lesser Porsches. Springs and shocks are specially calibrated. Wheels of 19-in. diameter are magnesium, but forged as opposed to the more conventional cast variety; this, for added strength and uniformity. Dunlop SP 8000s are fitted; the fronts, at 245/35ZR- 19, are rather wider than Zuffenhausen's spec 225s; the rears are comparable 285/30s, albeit 1 inch taller. The hyper-performance of the CTR-2 is attributed to the enhancing of the Porsche turbocharged 3600-cc flat-6. The Ruf twin KKK turbos are larger than the Zuffenhausen specification, giving the CTR-2 a peak boost of 16.0 psi versus the standard 13.1 psi. Under the hood of the CTR-2 is a twin- turbo flat-6 with aluminum crankcase, cylinders, and heads. The valve- train is a SOHC 2-valve/cylinder system. The maximum engine speed of the CTR-2 is 6700 rpm. The CTR-2 provides 520 bhp at 5800 rpm, and 505 pound- feet of torque at 4800 rpm. All this adds up to zero to sixty in 3.6 sec and the quarter mile at 11.4 seconds at 137 mph. The estimated top speed of the CTR-2 is 217 mph. The manual six speed CTR-2 has a rear mounted engine, with rear wheel drive. The CTR-2 has been legalized with the EPA in 49 states in the United States, and has a projected 15.0 mpg in the city. Pfaffenhausen's Ruf Automobile GmbH does a good job enhancing Zuffenhausen's Porsche. With a considerable sum amounting to $280,000 one have in his possession an elegant car.
