RUF CTR 3
While generating 700hp and 657 ft-lbs of torque from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter boxer engine is incredible, such things are hardly out of the ordinary at RUF. What is amazing, however, is that this car, while looking an awful lot like a Carrera GT, is actually loosely based on a 997 Turbo. Even more amazing is that RUF designed the car with the engine mid-mounted, rather than in its standard rear-mounted position.
The entirely new body of the CTR 3 is made of steel, aluminum and carbon-Kevlar, with aluminum for the doors and carbon-Kevlar for the body shell. This makes for an incredibly light (3,086 lb) vehicle.
The combined low weight and high horsepower help the CTR 3 to accelerate to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds with a run to 124 mph in just 9.6 seconds. RUF claims a top speed of 234 mph!
RUF CTR 3:
Get complete specs on the brakes, wheels and transmission after the jump:
Exactly 20 years after the legendary CTR “Yellowbird” and 10 years after the second CTR, RUF announces the all new CTR 3. The CTR 3 was presented in April 2007 at the grand opening of the new RUF facility in Bahrain. While the first two CTR generations still had their engines in the rear, the new CTR 3 has a mid engine design. However, one thing that the CTR 3 has in common with its two predecessors is that it is a pure driving machine. The CTR 3 is made to involve the driver in the driving experience.
The mid engine design provides exceptional balance and agile handling, while the longer wheel base provides better driving stability at high speed. The body of the CTR 3 is a completely new development which is not based on any existing mid engine concept. It is aerodynamically designed for high speed. The body is constructed in steel, aluminium and Kevlar-carbon. Galvanized steel is used for the front structure and the passenger compartment. The engine and transmission are fixed in a space frame and modular tubular frame construction. The passenger compartment is protected by the latest version of the famous RUF integrated rollcage which is integrated into the A pillar and tube frame. The doors, with integrated side impact protection beams, and the front hood are made of aluminium. The body shell is made of Kevlar-carbon composite.
The concept of this classic sports car was maturing in Alois Ruf’s head for a long time. Together with his design and engineering team he now realized this idea. RUF has 30 years of experience with turbo charged boxer engines. The CTR 3’s twin turbo charged 3.8 litre flat six cylinder engine has an output of 700 hp at 7,000 rpm. The maximum torque is 657 ft/lbs at 4,000 rpm. The maximum torque is 657 ft/lbs at 4,000 rpm. This engine design combines a compact construction with high performance. Each turbo charger is provided with an intercooler which is placed in front of each rear wheel.
The sequential shift 6 speed transmission in the CTR 3 is a new design and is transversally mounted. It can manage torque up to 855 ft/lbs. A shift indicator on the dashboard shows the gear in use. A limited slip differential is provided to maximize performance. The sport suspension is designed for high level driving dynamics and safety. The front axles use McPherson struts and an anti-roll bar. The rear axles utilize motor sport technology with horizontal coil over shock absorbers fixed over pushrods connected to the wheel carriers.
The brake system is designed to match the high performance of the engine and suspension. Both front and rear axles utilize 6 piston fixed light alloy callipers and ventilated, cross drilled ceramic composite discs. Each brake disc is 380 mm in diameter. A specially designed Bosch anti-lock braking system is standard.
The CTR 3 rolls on forged aluminium wheels with centre lock. At the front 255/35 ZR 19” tyres are mounted on 8.5” x 19” wheels, while at the rear 335/30 ZR 20” tyres are mounted on 12.5” x 20” wheel.
The interior can be designed to the customer’s taste, from a functional a functional light weight finish to sporty luxury finish with leather and alcantara. The aluminium gear shirt lever for the sequential shirt transmission is a central unit to the interior. In addition, the 260 mph speedometer shows the driver that the CTR 3 is made for high performance.
The lightweight construction allows for an empty weight (according to DIN) of 3,086 lbs. The result is a power to weight ratio of only 4.4 lbs per hp.
The performance of the CTR 3 is incredible. The acceleration from 0-100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) takes only 3.2 seconds. The maximum speed is 375 kph (235mph).
Power
515 kW (700 bhp)
at 7,600 rpm
max. Torque
890 Nm
at 4,000 rpm
Displacement
3,746 cm³
Performance
0-62 mph (0-100 kph) in 3.2 seconds
0-125 mph (0-200 kph) in 9.6 seconds
Top speed
234 mph (375 kph) – dependent on the gear ratios
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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