First test drive: RUF RT12. Part I

[Erik]

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? :D
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.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-2.JPG

In front of Kirchenheim castle.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-3.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-4.JPG

In your face!

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-10.JPG

From behind. 4x80 mm tips

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-5.JPG

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.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-6.JPG

In front of the Ruf showroom

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-9.JPG

RUF RT12 and BMW M5

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-11.JPG

The original RUF Yellowbird. This is number 8 finding a new owner.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-12.JPG

In front of the RUF workshop

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-13.JPGhttp://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-22.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-14.JPG

This car is EVIL!

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-15.JPG

Some details

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-16.JPG

Nice key. Yes I would like to keep that in my pocket.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-17.JPG

Rear wing unpainted so that people should notice the material it’s made of.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-19.JPG

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?

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-20.JPG

BIG brakes

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-21.JPG


Next...

Performance hunting in the night… (note the smoke from the tires)

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-7.JPG

BMW M6 vs. RUF RT12.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-8.JPG

[Sander]

Nice must be fun driving the Ruf:incar:

[Benman]

Excellent write up and first class pics Erik!:thumb:

That car looks apropriate in front of a castle.:) :0:

Ben:addict:

[7:53 RS6]

Nice Erik:thumb:
As i drove the RUF 590 Nardo press car whit about 610hp i know how fun you had whit this beast:MTM:

When the bussines start to roll, you know who to sign up to be the test driver for RUF Sweden:0:

[AriciU]

Great write-up, cars and pictures man! That M6 is very nice too. Love the colour. The only thing i don't like about the RUF is the front spoiler, don't know what it is but something just doesn't work in the front.

[krm]

I am lost for words. Thanks, and looking forward to Part II!

:love:

[CarbonFibre]

Did you post this twice? I see a thread 7445 and 7446 with different replies, lol.
Anyway, sweet car. I really want to see part 2.

[Erik]

Originally posted by CarbonFibre
Did you post this twice?

Yes, I copied it. Too many just surf the RS6 forum for some reason.

[CarbonFibre]

Oh, okay didn't notice. You're always on when I'm up late doing work that I should have gotten done hours if not days ago (hmm time zones). And then your site hinders my progress further since I still haven't taken this yellow wire out of my computer (only have myself to blame). Haha, I can't write essays for crap. It takes me forever to start, and I always put it off until the very last second (bad combination).

PS: Too bad I can't mark my post being off-topic. :vgrumpy:

[jonas_dg]

nice one man, good read :0:

[Exhaust]

Nice pics erik!


The trip to RUF seemed to be very funny. :D


I hope you enjoyed the test of the new RUF beacuse I have heard that is a lot of torque in that car ;)

Do you have any videoclips from the trip to germany?

have a nice day!

[J.Seven]

Great rigth up and amazing pics, thanks for sharing Erik, can´t waite for part II :thumb:

J.Seven

[Erik]

Originally posted by Exhaust
I hope you enjoyed the test of the new RUF beacuse I have heard that is a lot of torque in that car ;)

Do you have any videoclips from the trip to germany?


Yes - a lot of torque. 900 Nm? :confused: :D

No video clips. I travelled light this time. Camera only. I regret it, but what's done is done.

[CarbonFibre]

870 Nm :D
or 642 lb. ft.

[Exhaust]

Originally posted by Erik
Yes - a lot of torque. 900 Nm? :confused: :D

No video clips. I travelled light this time. Camera only. I regret it, but what's done is done.


Ok..

I must say that you are a very great fotogarf. very nice Macro shot on the new RUF.


BTW, I have forgot to ask about the petrolprices in germany, is it corresponding what we got in sweden?

have a nice day:D

[Erik]

RUF R Turbo - convertible and 4 sale.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-3000.JPG

At last we ended up at Nürburgring. Cannonball 8000

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-23.JPG

8:05 RS6 instructing us how to drive as fast as possible.
Chasing a Gumball Porsche in our 320d automatic...

Hertz BMW vs. Gumball Porsche
0 - 1, but we'll be back...

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-24.JPG

Two cars you can't get in the :harass: USA. M3 CSL and GT3 RS.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/Ringen-RS4-2005-1.jpg

Kelleners M6 from Finland

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/Ringen-RS4-2005-2.jpg

Cannonball 8000 RS6 Avant

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-3001.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-3002.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-3003.JPG

[7:53 RS6]

Thats very sad that a big country as USA cant enjoy CSL/GT3 RS
as they are surley one of few drivers cars out there :confused:

Nice pics!
Need to post mine soon, 3 Pagani Zonda at once, many brand new redy to ship GT40 and lots more nice.
Accually the factory that convert GT40 to Euro standard is at the ring. One day am seeing like 10 of them all coverd in stipes of white protecting plastic. I must say i kind of like the GT40 espesally now that Gulf has aggread that Ford can paint the cars in the GULF blue/orange, man i would die for one in that paint:dance: :wo: :wo: :thumb: :applause: :love:

[Erik]

Originally posted by 8:05 RS6
Thats very sad that a big country as USA cant enjoy CSL/GT3 RS

They don't get the RS6 Avant either :hahahehe:

Actually one of the red cars is an S4 Avant.

[jonas_dg]

hey Erik, just a quick question, I recently bought myself an EOS350D (18-55/55-200 lenses) and I was wondering how did you manage the effect on this picture? http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Erik-5.JPG
I love the blurryness of the background and the soft focus on the car (I have no real idea what I'm talking about btw :D)
You did it before on a black 911 (RUF one but with standard 911 tags) Simply an awesome effect.

[Erik]

Originally posted by jonas_dg
I love the blurryness of the background and the soft focus on the car (I have no real idea what I'm talking about btw :D)
You did it before on a black 911 (RUF one but with standard 911 tags) Simply an awesome effect.

Thanks.

You take your 55-200 lens and put it at 200, then you use the lowest aperture possible.

If you have a less expensive lens that is probably 5.6. (70-200/5.6)

I use a 70-200/2.8 lens, hence I can use 2.8 instead which is much better.

You will probably soon understand why you should spend a lot of money to buy a good lens :D

http://www.tobinphoto.com/cameras-canon/lg_70-200.gif

Go to the library and read a book about basic photography, there's much to learn!

If you want to experiment. Take a photo using the lowest aperture, mid, and highest and see the difference. Do it in a rather light environment, not at night. The longer time the camera is "open" (shutter time) the less blur you will see in the distance.

I didn't use photoshop or any filters (except UV which is a must have) to enhance the picture.

[jonas_dg]

ok thanks for the short introduction there Erik :) :thumb: