Ruf CTR-3 Roughin’ It in Bahrain

The new Porsche 911-based supercoupe from the German Porsche Tuning specialist Ruf Automobile is called CTR-3. The vehicle is unveiled in Bahrain, a Persian Gulf Kingdom where the German tuning firm is setting up a new production facility. The first Ruf-ME car will roll out from the new facility later this year.

Bahrain has been the prominent host for the Formula One Grand Prix events for four years now. Obviously, the country is trying to branch out its activities and steer away from being just an oil producer. With a high-profile automobile tuner in tow, the internationally renowned motorsports event looks like a good frontline for the country. Alois Ruf (head of the tuner company) is delighted to find new customers in the Middle East.

The coupe’s shape may be a bit bizarre but it certainly has that futuristic expression. Its outline is mildly evocative of the 1930s German racing cars. It guns a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that’s competent of unleashing 700 ponies and 656 pound-feet of maximum torque. Its acceleration blasts off from zero to 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 235 mph. It has an impressive take on its throttle power in just a few seconds’ tops.

The Ruf’s bodywork is made from alloy and others from a Kevlar/carbon-fiber composite material which results in a weight that measures 3,086 pounds. Even though the Ruf flagship is based on the Porsche 911 edition, most of its exterior car parts have been revamped. It does have an intriguing interior cabin rolling out its 47.2-inch tall two-seater rides on 255/35ZR-19 wheels and ventilated and cross drilled ceramic composite brakes allotting 6-piston fixed light alloy calipers at the front and stout 20-inch wheels at the back. It has a rollover protection in A-pillar and in birdcage. The birdcage forms a torsion resistant unit with the front chassis by combining to the sill beam and the A-pillar.

Other features include: front doors and bonnets are caved in an aluminum shell, multi-disc locking differential, Bosch Motronic with OBD-2 engine control unit, two KKK turbo chargers, two air-air intercoolers and power assisted rack and pinion steering.

Basic pricing for the Ruf CTR-3 is estimated to be $500,000.