New Ruf model - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Seem to remember that GT Pretty Pictures had a review of this car not too long ago. I remember it because not only was it pretty darn awesome (and the quickest unless you go follow the Gemballa road), but it also was specced a rather fetching dark green with tartan trim. Nice if you're colour blind no doubt, profoundly shit if you're not. Nice car. But it's not a Porshce, rather one that's been thatched around with. They even put a 996 dash in, the goons. Discuss ?

Bloody tartan - the muppets. Anyhow, no it's not a porsche, it's better. It's a Ruf! The whole concept of large poke, decent handling and lighter mass is a good one though.

See here... www.realdriver.com/road_tests/ruf_3400s/ruf_3400s.php

That's the old 3400, with 3.4 litre old 996 engine and shite headlamps. The new 3600 uses the more powerful facelifted 996 3.6 320bhp lump.

I don't know about the hybrid Boxster concept but it always raises the great debate about just what RR says: Boxster strengths (awesome handling, right?) and 911 strengths (performance and 'character') - so why not - gasp - ditch the 911 altogether and just concentrate on the mid engine layout all the time? Because for whatever reason - and I suspect Domster's 911itus is necessary to explain here - there is a bizarre quality that affects the handling by placing the engine way out back. And it is, I don't know why, rather magical to drive. Their 996 Turbo R appeals immensely; I simply love it's understatement. Indeed, they have substituted a standard Carrera rear flank for the standard car's wider girth. But I know what Greg means about all this 'fiddling;' I used to be an anti-tweaker but soon realised the relative quasi/semi/official legitimacy and indeed competence of the German tuning houses for home made motors. Wasn't it Mercedes where several board memebers were supposed to have been Brabus owners? Bleargh.

I appreciate that, but I THOUGHT it might be of interest. Evidently not, so I'll crawl back under my rock.

Ahhh, sorry Podie, it is of interest but I read it last year, is all. It's all moved on ol' chap.

It's an interesting point regarding the layout. Porsches ultimate show case model will have the best mid engine configuration. Kind of leaves the old 911 design out in the cold. I personally wish they would ditch the rear seats in the 911 and move it's engine to the mid point. Better balance with just enough classic 911 elements - flat six etc.

RR - steady now - you are in danger of being buggered to death by a bunch of overweight Bavarians with a penchant for lederhosen and bizarre sexual retribution if you continue with this sacrelige.

My all time fave Porsche is probably the 993TT. It looks and sounds like a classic mixed with brut force. But you have to admit, moving that engine a bit more inboard woun't ruin it's character at all. It would still be rear engined with the rear vents etc, but technically it would be mid mounted for better balance. Or am I talking gash? Who the hell uses the rear seats anyhow? 911's should be for young blokes with no kids anyway.

Er, indeed, DeR. RR, best wash your mouth out with soap, then a few hail mary's. Nice to see that it wasn't us Boxster owners getting the Roberta Flack though - nice change !

Well, if they ditched the rear seats DeR couldn't get DeR Jnr in the back. Actually, have you got a kiddie seat in the back, DeR ? I can imagine you out on one of your early morning jollies, with the nipper in the back, in a kind of Marge Simpson, opening-credits kind of way.

I'm sure Domster wasn't praising the classic rear mounted layout when he flew off the road backwards scaring the badgers.

The engine is in the front of a pug 205 GTi, but it didd'nt stop me slinging one in a field tho >> Edited by iguana on Monday 25th November 16:52

How did you manage that? Pug's are fool proof. You fool!

Well whats a Boxster then if not just that? on early 996/box its the same car from the A post foward & you can easily shove a 996 lump in one for a few more horses if you really want 'em.

Ever since I developed a desire to road test lamp post rigidity/high powered impact ratios, Mrs DeR has been somewhat reticent to hop on board anything vaguely M.Falconnesque that has resided garageways, much less entrust little Mme. Inheritor therein. Hence, sort of, the LS430, post EVO VII apocalypse. Which is why, ultimately, my salvation for family based Euro jaunts will ultimately have to be something featuring the prefixes, M, RS or S. The beetle is therefore strictly for cattle/ non-believer terrorism, mostly of an early [pre-mist lift!] Sunday morn.

Balls!, the 1.9 gti has a twitchyer rear end than my old 325i bob marley. Come off the throttle just a bit and the old trailing arm rear end (al la pre '89 911) on the pug would try and overtake in miliseconds. This was a few years ago mind you, when i was far too fast for my skill level & before i got to drive hundreds of 911s and learn NEVER to back off mid bend.

The boxter isn't all I described though. My Ideal porsche would look exactly like a 993 from the outside in every respect. It's just that upon close inspection it had no rear seats, being the only clue to it's hidden layout. What do you think?

DeR. RS? DAZ Excuse me for being thick.

Daz - RS as in RS6. Just a thought though, do Brabae ever depreciate? What the hell are these guys gowna do about the 'official' Merc/AMG new breed of supercharged V8s and twin-turbo V12 currently on-board their hyper expresses? Kinda makes them seem a little unnecessary, doth it not? Still, imagine an E73 version of the current E55 AMG? In that quite evil black, it's just begging to be thrashed for some preposterously overpriced Euro fizz in Cannes and whilst the family Robinson quietly snooze away, I can exercise the right heel and perfect the Terry Thomas sneer as one rifles past the shuffling Citroa. Bloody peasants.

Talking of those mercs, I saw an E55AMG going for 25k the other day. Pretty good saving on the 60k list eh? Remember those hefty ol 'chrged jags too - the XJR? 60k odd list has now dropped to 12k privately! Handy for a barge like second car.

DeR RS audis - top performance motors. But in your case having the beetle I'd compliment it with something with an auto gearbox (E55 kompressor) Brabae (?) depreciate like crazy. When you think their 7.3 litre engine puts out 580bhp, and used to sell in the E-class for about £210k and in their S-class for about £240k. Merc now have their E55 kompressor throwing out nigh on 490 bhp, for about £65k. Their new S55 and S600 are both pumping out nigh on 500bhp at a cost of less than £90k. If Brabus were to only operate in this market they'd be up scuppered. If you get their brochure they are also invloved now in tuning/styling addons not just the complete cars. With Mercedes playing the performance card it's the only way for them to commercially carry on I would have thought. It's funny but you don't see much RHD Brabae on the roads in blighty, but I understand any Authorised Mercedes service centre can service them. Your point about a few MB directors having Brabus merc is spot on according to my Germanic "friends". DAZ PS - It should be noted there is definite cooperation between Brabus and Daimler Chrysler as demonstrated by the Brabus Smart (Not as quick as you imagine it is going to be with the Brabus name, but fun on roundabouts).

RR, DAZ, danker! When Larry Lexus has been deemed to have pampered his last, the ubermeistery of Bavarian super saloondom will undoubtedly beckon. Frankly, I might do a Roadrunner special and go for a multi-pack punt, like, say, a nice clean medium mileage M5 and an early Elise/Tiv and then spend the balance on a celebratory slap up binge round at Mrs. Miggins' pie shop! But not for another year, I suspect.

Ah well... my rock is comfortable...

Have you guys seen the new Ruf model at all? www.ruf-automobile.de/english/index1.htm It's called the 3600, and is based on the boxter chassis, but looks like a GT2. It has the latest 911 3.6 lump mid mounted. Could be the bases of the best porsche for some time, with 911 power and boxter handling. As the cars are bespoke items I guess you could also spec it in RS fashion - ditch all the heavy shite and have carbon buckets etc. Would probably weigh in at 1000kg ish, and with 320bhp, would make an ideal ratio! This would be the 'baby' version of the forthcoming mid engine nutter at 250k.