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View Full Version : First test drive: RUF RT12. Part II (or how fast is it?)



Erik
October 4th, 2005, 09:26
This is part II. For part I please click here. (http://www.rs6.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7445&highlight=ruf)

It’s getting dark. We mount a GPS-antenna on the roof of the RT12 and the rest of the equipment inside the car. We’re heading for a road that is no longer in use, but still in good shape. Luckily on the countryside there are not too many neighbours around.
We run the RT12 5-6 times before we feel there’s enough data and time for some top speed testing. However Alois Ruf, who knows the Autobahn better than most, says we’re not going to be able to reach top speed, “only” about 350 km/h is possible on this stretch.
Even a straight piece of road becomes twist when the speed is really high…

OK, I’m not going to bore you any longer. Here we go, the information everybody’s been waiting for.

Performance - RUF RT12 650 hp (RWD):

0-60 mph: 3.15 seconds
0 - 100 mph: 6.62 seconds
0 – 124 mph: 9.7 seconds. (0 - 200 km/h)
¼ mile: 11.0 @ 134 mph (216 km/h)
Highest speed reached: 350 km/h.
Consider the fact that the car was on Pirelli P Zero Rosso street tires.
Front: 255/35/ZR19 Rear: 305/30/ZR19
Measured with GPS 100 Hz, 1 person in the car.


Having measured and discussed the performance for a while it seems Mr Ruf is very happy with the evening. To our surprise Alois Ruf has never measured the performance of the RT12
this accurate. Instead he claims he gets the “butt-feeling” when he drives the car and knew it was fast! It’s late in the night, but we return home and celebrate with Champagne.

Because Ruf is a car builder, not a tuner, it is possible to configure your car exactly the way you want it. Ruf will build your car from the ground and inside the factory there are already 3 RT12s in various stages. Since everybody in this batch seems to have chosen the red-orange color they all look the same, but they are all unique. One is rear-wheel driver, the other four-wheel drive. One has Ohlins (better choice IMO), the other Bilstein. Some have carbon fibre brakes, others classical steel brakes. And all the options when it comes to the interior!
The integrated roll cage is a very neat Ruf invention and a must have IMO.
It’s all up to you, your wallet and what you tell your spouse.

The days go by. Having gone through and analysed the performance figures I re-visit the test drive in my head and realise this is probably car history being written – just like when the Yellowbird was released. The competition is much harder nowadays that’s for sure, but the RT12 beats cars like the Ferrari Enzo, Pagani Zonda S, Mercedez SLR McLaren and Porsche’s own Carrera GT at a fraction of the price. And I am sure the RT12 is a more reliable car in many cases.
Ruf’s new creation has everything needed to be the best.

Next up… RUF R Spyder and RUF Cayenne. We go flat-out in the BMW M6 (270 km/h) and see the Ruf Cayenne disappear into the horizon…

http://www.ruf-automobile.de/
http://www.rufautocenter.com/

Erik
October 26th, 2005, 19:41
In the Kirchheim park. The RUF RT12 makes the M6 look pale.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-100.JPG

RUF R Spyder, RUF RT12 and RUF Cayenne in front of the Castle.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-101.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-102.JPG

The one an only. RUF RT12

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-103.JPG

RUF Turbo, for the 550 kit.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-104.JPG

RT12 keys on the carbon fibre wing

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-105.JPG

The BMW M5 and the M6

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-106.JPG

Mounting the GPS inside the RT12

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-107.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-111.JPG

Inside the BMW M6 following the RUF Cayenne and RT12 (nearest)

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-108.JPG

Thirsty beasts. RT12 and M6 filling up before the 350 km/h run.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-110.JPG

RT12 under my wide angle.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-112.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-113.JPG

The RT12 and an Audi TT :D ;)

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-114.JPG

Yellowbird N#8. A rare piece of art. Still among the fastest cars you can buy.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-115.JPG

Rear view of RT12

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-117.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-118.JPG

RT12 (Audi A2 in the back)

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-119.JPG

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-120.JPG

Carbon fibre side (for 997 only) and RUF mirrors.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-121.JPG

Big bad ass brakes

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-122.JPG

A perfect place to go drag racing. RT12 and RUF Cayenne. in the night.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-109.JPG

0-100 km/h in 3.15 secs and 0-200 in 9.7 secs. on street tires.
Go home Enzo and CGT! I'd love to go on the track and over take cars that cost many times more than the RT12.

http://www.rs6.com/pics/Various/RUF-Sept-123.jpg

All pics (c) Erik B www.RS6.com Send me a pm if you have any questions.

There are more pictures here:
http://www.sportbilen.se/reportage.php?id=318
64 pics: http://www.sportbilen.se/index.php?page=bildspel.php?cat=rufrt12_

biXen
October 31st, 2005, 23:51
That is one ugly seat fabric, but this car is God so I don't think I'd care. Really hoped you'd have some video. Hopefully Ruf will put some promo vids on the net like they did with the RTurbo. What an amazing car, I'd kill for a ride in one of those :bow:

clam
November 5th, 2005, 12:45
Erik, you should visit PSI motorsport some time.

I've heard that RUF "ain't all that", mostly marketing, and Belgian tuner 'PSI motorsport' is actually the king of Porsche tuning.
I know nothing, so perhaps in your position you could make a comparison between the two companies.

http://www.psi-motorsport.com/porschetuning/index.php (website sucks)
http://www.ortonusa.com/porsche/ (PSI USA)

reviews
http://www.europeancarweb.com/tuned/0207ec_tunedporsche/ (RTS-1, scroll dow)
http://www.ortonusa.com/porsche/pdf/996tt.pdf (RTS-3)
http://www.ortonusa.com/porsche/pdf/excellence.pdf (807hp RST-4)

I'd put my money on PSI motorsport. They actually build winning Porsche race cars. While RUFs' single moment of glory seems to be the Yellowbird.

Erik
November 7th, 2005, 07:44
Originally posted by clam
While RUFs' single moment of glory seems to be the Yellowbird.

I'm happy to visit PSI sometime.

Manthey Racing is another good Porsche tuner.

But saying that RUF is about marketing that's totally wrong.
They're actually quite bad at marketing, better at doing understated products.

0 – 124 mph: 9.7 seconds. (0 - 200 km/h) ...
:hahahehe:

CarbonFibre
November 11th, 2005, 21:14
Notice that the PSI may have over 800 horsepower, but barely even has more torque than the Ruf (672 lb. ft. vs. 642). It's not all about power, and Ruf are a proven company as one of the best. That RTS-4 also has a race clutch and probably isn't something you'd want to drive every day while I bet the RT12 isn't that bad at all. I notice the US web site for PSI only actually provides dyno graphs up to the 650 horsepower level.

If you just want raw power, Evolution Motorsports already has an engine kit for sale that makes in excess of 800 horsepower and they have broken 1000 on test engines that aren't on sale yet. This and they have dyno graphs for all of them. I'd still rather have the Ruf.

http://www.evoms.com/

Benman
November 11th, 2005, 23:33
Erik,

All I have to say is that the RT12 better be in Gran Turismo 5! Cause that will be the closet I ever get to driving one!:D

Sweet, sweet car and yes, RUF is all that!:thumb:

Ben:addict:

RS4Ever
February 21st, 2006, 08:48
a real eye popper! :love: :love:

i love it!

the color, the stance.. the performance


i like this pic a lot and the one above it... beautiful beast!


thanks erik

kiza
May 12th, 2006, 05:42
must be nice:rolleyes: