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2010 Geneva Motor Show: RUF RGT-8 V-8 Powered Porsche 911

 
6 3,344 views Mar 4, 2010
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RUF RGT-8 V-8 powered Porsche 911

HI-RES GALLERY: RUF RGT-8 V-8 powered Porsche 911

Anyone familiar with the Porsche 911 has probably seen a RUF-modified version, even if they didn't know what they were looking at. For those in the know, however, RUF's various takes on the 911 have been impressive works of modification--from the all-electric eRUF Greenster to the 685-horsepower RT12. The latest in the line, the RGT-8, made its debut this week at the Geneva Motor Show, and it sports V-8 power.

Heresy, you say? It may well be--dumping the famous flat six for a right-angle mill takes some guts, but the V-8 that replaces it definitely has some prodigious figures. The 4.5-liter unit turns out 550 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 370 pound-feet of torque at 5,400 rpm. And the new V-8 is designed in-house by RUF.

Hemispherical four-valve cylinders, a 180-degree "Flatcrank," dry-sump lubrication and a total weight of under 440 pounds make for a compact, race-oriented engine. Paired to a short-throw six-speed gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels, the RGT-8 is no longer pure Porsche, but it should still satisfy even the most demanding of performance purists.

Ceramic brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, 19-inch RUF alloy wheels, custom bodywork, an integrated roll-cage, and an available Frere package inspired by the 550 Coupe raced by Belgian Paul Frere, round out the RGT-8's features. Hit up the second page for the full spec sheet.

[RUF]






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Comments (6)

  1. By Bruceincary Posted: 3/4/2010 10:57am PST

    Oh good I get a bastardized Cayman interior in my "Roof"
    Change for changes sake?
     
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  2. By Chris Johnson Posted: 3/4/2010 12:03pm PST

    Yes because you bought a Ruf for a flashier interior.
     
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  3. By phil12321 Posted: 3/5/2010 9:11am PST

    In the late 80's porsches was developing a car to be named the 969 with design cues similar to the more exclusive 959. If ever to be produced it would have been cheaper than the 959 and would have had a V-8 engine sourced from porsche's indy engine program. So the idea of having a V-8 in the back of a 911 has always been conjured up by porsche afficianados and developers.
     
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  4. By Nordschleife Posted: 3/7/2010 11:32am PST

    Nordschleife (Today 10:00 AM)
    Really amazing accomplishment for Ruf!! Here's what I know: It's a completely new motor including its block specifically designed by Ruf. It does not use ANY existing block or parts from ANY other motor. Every part is scratch designed and built! It is designed by a famous Porsche engine designer that has worked on everything from 908, 917, TAG, Indy V8, 911 and is the designer of the Porsche Spyder RS motor.
    Jack
     
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  5. By Nordschleife Posted: 3/7/2010 11:33am PST

    The motor is manufactered by a famous F1 engine builder. It has no belts, everything is internal for simplicity, reliability and compactness. The horsepower and redline are conservative figures. It is a true dry-sump. A future turbo version is projected to give over 1000 hp! If you lay out a "flat six" vs a 90 degree "V8" the benefits are the "V8" has natural space under the cylinder heads for the turbos and exhausts where a "flat six" is compromised forcing the motor to become wider. The "Ruf V8" is more compact and efficient overall. This motor is a "flat crank" same as the 917 or Spyder RS motor. "Flat crank" motors sound and function completely different than normal V8's. Porsche has been wanting to do this since 1971 http://www.pelicanparts.com/literature/911-928_prototype_blueprint.htm . If this motor goes into Porsche's RSR it will be a huge advantage over the competition and the existing "flat six" RSR especially with a new gearbox that will lower the motor further; MUCH MORE HORSEPOWER, LOWER CG, LIGHTER WEIGHT and MORE COMPACT vs "flat six". This motor is adaptable for rear, mid or front applications.
    Jack
     
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  6. By Nordschleife Posted: 3/7/2010 12:10pm PST

    This explains a lot: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/529307-porsche-apocalypse-ruf-s-911-v8-2.html
     
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