Ruf CTR
| Ruf CTR "Yellowbird" | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ruf |
| Production | began in 1987 (29 built from scratch, rest converted from customer cars) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | sports car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Related | Porsche 911 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.367 litres (205.5 cu in) twin-turbocharged flat-6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,273 mm (89.5 in) |
| Length | 4,290 mm (169 in) |
| Width | 1,775 mm (69.9 in) |
| Height | 1,311 mm (51.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,150 kilograms (2,535 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ruf BTR |
| Successor | Ruf CTR2 |
The twin-turbo Ruf CTR (Group C, Turbo Ruf) also known as the CTR Yellowbird or simply Yellowbird, was a limited-production, high performance sports car produced by Ruf Automobile of Germany.
Introduced for the 1987 model year and based on the Porsche 911, the CTR featured an enlarged and highly tuned version of Porsche's 3.2 litre flat-six cylinder engine, lightened body panels, an integrated roll cage (adding chassis stiffness in addition to occupant safety), upgraded suspension and braking systems, a custom-designed transmission, and several unique trim pieces such as polyurethene bumpers, and the use of the fender-mounted oil filter (a Porsche feature for the 1972 MY only) necessitated by relocating the oil tank forward to clear the intercooler on that side.
Much attention was given to aerodynamic considerations, with the body being de-guttered/seam welded and the use of filler panels for the door pillars and 935-style mirrors. Prototype models had NACA-style intercooler intake ducts over the rear fenders (later dropped, as it was discovered that air was pulled out, rather than in, at speed due to a low-pressure area), while later models had additional slots in the rear bumper corners for the air to exit.
Ruf rated the car 469 bhp or 469 PS, not making a distinction between the units. It is said that 469 horsepower was the lowest dynamometer reading of all the CTR engines tested while the average figure was closer to 500 or even higher. Ruf would later admit that ‘we use very big horses in Pfaffenhausen’.
Developing understated 469 bhp (350 kW) and 408 lb·ft (553 N·m) of torque and weighing in at only 2,535 pounds (1,150 kg), the CTR provided stellar performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.65 seconds and a top speed in excess of 210 miles per hour (340 km/h). Although the Porsche 959 was faster to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h), the Yellowbird could outperform all competition when it came to top speed, topping out at 213 miles per hour (342 km/h), a top speed that made it the fastest sports car in the world at the time of its release.
The car received its nickname, "Yellowbird", during testing by Road & Track magazine, whose staffers noted the contrast created by its yellow paintwork against the overcast skies on the day of their photo shoot.
The Ruf CTR had its first appearance in April 1987 at the "World's Fastest Cars" contest of the American car magazine Road & Track where it was designated "The Fastest Production Car in the World". It did 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 4.0s, 0-100 mph (161 km/h) in 7.3s, 0-124.3 mph (200 km/h) in 10.5s, 1⁄4 mile (402m) in 11.7s reaching 133.5 miles per hour (215 km/h) and reached a top speed of 211 mph (340 km/h), beating the competition by 10 mph (16 km/h). Paul Frère shouted "This is faster than I've ever gone in my life!" during a ride.
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Wikipedia