RUF Rt 12
Encyclopedia
The Ruf Rt 12 is a sports car built by Ruf Automobile of Germany
and based on the 997-Generation
.
The Rt 12 features specially developed Ruf bodywork, giving the vehicle a unique appearance while functioning to increase downforce
, improving high speed stability. Large cross-drilled brakes are included, although some debate has arisen as to how much of an upgrade the system provides over the factory-optional ceramic brakes (PCCB) that Porsche offers on "S" model 997s. Alois Ruf Jr, the company's owner, is doubtful of the lifetime of the PCCB system which seems to explain this choice of brake system. In addition, Ruf chose to replace the factory "active" suspension system with a static system of their own design. A Ruf system with hydraulic control, developed together with Öhlins, which can raise ride-height in situations such as driveway entries is available as an option.
13 were made and AWD is available as an option. All but two customers have ordered their Ruf Rt 12 with AWD.
, Porsche Carrera GT
and Mercedes-McLaren SLR. Other vehicles such as the Dauer 962 Le Mans
, Bugatti Veyron
and McLaren F1
have higher top speeds, but each of these examples is considerably more expensive.
Although the top speed is officially reported as 219 mi/h, there is a taller gearing option which is reported to boost the car's figures in 685 bhp form to a speed in excess of 227 mi/h. Since every Rt 12 is manufactured to customer specification with a variety of major choices such as rear or all wheel drive, suspension systems and engines, the actual weight and performance figures vary between each individual car.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and based on the 997-Generation
Porsche 997
The Porsche Type 997 , also simply called the 997 is the current version of the 911 family sports car built by German manufacturer Porsche in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen...
.
Model information
Ruf introduced the model in Fall 2004 at the Essen Motor Show as the first of their offerings built on Porsche's new 997 platform. A twin-turbocharged, 3.6 litre flat-six cylinder engine based on the previous 996 series Turbo engine provides 530 and 560 bhp options while the bored-out 3.8 litre option produces 685 bhp; targeting customers demanding more performance and hardcore handling than Porsche 911 Turbo and GT2.The Rt 12 features specially developed Ruf bodywork, giving the vehicle a unique appearance while functioning to increase downforce
Downforce
Downforce is a downwards thrust created by the aerodynamic characteristics of a car. The purpose of downforce is to allow a car to travel faster through a corner by increasing the vertical force on the tires, thus creating more grip....
, improving high speed stability. Large cross-drilled brakes are included, although some debate has arisen as to how much of an upgrade the system provides over the factory-optional ceramic brakes (PCCB) that Porsche offers on "S" model 997s. Alois Ruf Jr, the company's owner, is doubtful of the lifetime of the PCCB system which seems to explain this choice of brake system. In addition, Ruf chose to replace the factory "active" suspension system with a static system of their own design. A Ruf system with hydraulic control, developed together with Öhlins, which can raise ride-height in situations such as driveway entries is available as an option.
13 were made and AWD is available as an option. All but two customers have ordered their Ruf Rt 12 with AWD.
Performance
The Rt 12 is amongst some of the fastest production cars in the world, with a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds and 219 mph (350 km/h) top speed with standard gearing, giving it superior straight-line performance when compared to the current generation of supercars, such as the Ferrari EnzoEnzo Ferrari (car)
The Enzo Ferrari is a 12 cylinder mid-engine berlinetta named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It was built in 2002 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre body, F1-style electrohydraulic shift transmission, and Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide ceramic composite...
, Porsche Carrera GT
Porsche Carrera GT
The Porsche Carrera GT is a mid-engined sports car that was manufactured by Porsche in Leipzig, Germany.- History :The development of the Carrera GT can be traced back to the 911 GT1 and LMP1-98 racing cars. Due in part to the FIA and ACO rule changes in 1998, both designs had ended. Porsche at...
and Mercedes-McLaren SLR. Other vehicles such as the Dauer 962 Le Mans
Dauer 962 Le Mans
The Dauer 962 Le Mans is a sports car based on the Porsche 962 racing car. Built by German Jochen Dauer's Dauer Racing, a racing version of this car went on to win the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans with the support of Porsche through the use of regulation loopholes.- Road car :Dauer Racing produced...
, Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid-engined grand touring car. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of . The original version has a top speed of...
and McLaren F1
McLaren F1
The McLaren F1 is a supercar designed and manufactured by McLaren Automotive. Originally a concept conceived by Gordon Murray, he convinced Ron Dennis to back the project and engaged Peter Stevens to design the exterior of the car...
have higher top speeds, but each of these examples is considerably more expensive.
Although the top speed is officially reported as 219 mi/h, there is a taller gearing option which is reported to boost the car's figures in 685 bhp form to a speed in excess of 227 mi/h. Since every Rt 12 is manufactured to customer specification with a variety of major choices such as rear or all wheel drive, suspension systems and engines, the actual weight and performance figures vary between each individual car.
Impressions
As with many modern Ruf cars and their Porsche equivalents, the Rt 12 is praised for its exceptional ability to act as a practical every day car despite its supercar performance figures. The car is usable in town and is capable of pulling at 30 mi/h in sixth gear despite the high pressure turbos. The car is reported to have excellent stability and handling to match its engine output.External links
- Official site
- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1877188541544667183Google Video 4 minutes of Rt 12 footage, German languageGerman languageGerman is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
] - Pistonheads review of the Rt 12
- RUF RT12 @ Bruntingthorpe [HD]