First test drive: RUF RT12. Part I
Apparently the owner said ”I want a car that becomes famous.”
His wish might very well come true considering the car will decorate
a first page or two in the world of car magazines.
Red and wild, finally it stands there before us: RUF RT12.
RUF RT12 is Ruf Automobiles’s version of the latest Porsche 997.
But instead of a normal aspirated engine they are using a tuned engine from the
996 Turbo with at least 650 hp.
The best of all: this privately owned Monster is to our disposal for two days…
The test drive starts with me in the passenger seat and the man responsible for building the RT12s behind the wheel.
It doesn’t take long before we travel at a hair raising speed (200 km/h+) on these small and twisty roads. The Autobahn is still miles away.
I’m perfect in these bucket seats and the pattern of the fabric goes really well with the carbon fibre interior.
When the engine is warm is time for me to pilot this Beast.
It’s always nervous to drive a car like this; you do all you can to avoid embarrassing stalls.
But the RT12 is surprisingly easy to drive.
Well, off we go. I’m very keen on feeling the acceleration of this car (to say the least!)
My spontaneous feeling is FEAR. I’m scared, but I definetly don’t want to get out!
This car is insane and will just keep on. There is absolutely nothing stopping me as long as I
keep the pedal to the metal. This is without doubt the fastest car I have ever driven.
But is it really a car? I’m rather thinking Ruf is selling an experience on four wheels.
Lovely to look at and feel, and just pure insanity when it comes to acceleration.
Without blinking you have 200 km/h on the odometer, but you will like to brake again just to relive the acceleration again.
Compared with the RUF R Turbo (550 and 590 hp Nardo) I had expected more turbolag and push, but the power is delivered almost like a n/a engine, linear.
There can’t be too many engines like this around.
To test the engine I try 5:th and 6:th gear from low speed and floor it.
To my surprise the car accelerates without protest and quite fast as well.
I wonder how many GTI:s you can overtake on 5:th gear only?
The handling feels superb, but to test the limits on a public road like this (too many damn farmers!) feels too dangerous considering the stakes.
My only complaint is that the car would travel a bit better with Ohlins rather than the Bilsteins mounted. Especially the return feel a bit better with the Ohlins. And with the Ohlins you can lift the car to avoid body damage.
Sound…yes, lovely tunes stream out of the four 80 mm pipes at the back.
I am happy that Ruf chose to let some road and engine noise enter the cockpit.
Comfort is a nice thing, but there’s nothing that beats a bit of racy feeling.
Part II to come next...
Day turns into night…We measure the performance and go flat out on the Autobahn
All pics (c) by myself.
What comes here? All of a sudden the BMW M6 seems a bit uninteresting.
In front of Kirchenheim castle.
In your face!
From behind. 4x80 mm tips
The owner of the castle. She has 52 rooms. How many do you have?
She looks as excited as myself behind the wheel I think.
In front of the Ruf showroom
RUF RT12 and BMW M5
The original RUF Yellowbird. This is number 8 finding a new owner.
In front of the RUF workshop
This car is EVIL!
Some details
Nice key. Yes I would like to keep that in my pocket.
Rear wing unpainted so that people should notice the material it’s made of.
Getting rid of the ugly IC intake of the 996TT isn’t a bad idea after all…
I wonder what the design of the 997TT will be?
BIG brakes
Next...
Performance hunting in the night… (note the smoke from the tires)
BMW M6 vs. RUF RT12.
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