Porsche: Ruf response to 9ff's Porsches

Hot on the heels of the Veyron-baiting 9ff GT9, another Porsche tuner is to launch its own 911-based supercar. Early rumours suggested that the Ruf CTR3 was to use the Cayman as its starting point, but boss Alois Ruf says that, despite being mid-engined, the 690bhp machine uses a rollcage- strengthened 997 floorpan as its starting point.

The CTR3 will be powered by Ruf’s own reworked 3.8-litre Porsche flat-six fitted with a pair of KKK turbochargers and intercoolers. Drive will be through the rear wheels via a sequential six-speed gearbox, which is operated by a lever rather than more-fashionable paddles.

Peak power arrives at 7000rpm, while the thumping maximum torque figure of 657lb ft is delivered at 4000rpm. The CTR3's 1475kg kerb weight means a power-to-weight figure of 475bhp per ton, easily out-muscling the Porsche Carrera GT. Performance should be spectacular as a result, with Ruf claiming a top speed of 235mph and 0-62mph in just 3.2sec.

The CTR3 uses the aluminium bonnet and doors from the 911 Turbo while the rest of the low-drag bodyshell, designed in-house by Ben Soderberg, has been constructed from a carbon-Kevlar composite. Behind the 20in wheels are six-piston brake callipers and ceramic discs front and rear.

A test car will be ready in July, and naturally Ruf will use it to go chasing Nürburgring production car records. Although Alois Ruf won't be drawn on what lap time they expect to achieve, it's likely to be significantly under the 7min 30sec mark.

It’s 20 years since the launch of the legendary CTR ‘Yellow Bird’, and the CTR3 is set to be a fitting celebration of that anniversary. Ruf says he's already taken 30 orders, although just 20 of the £300,000 supercars will be built each year, with the first deliveries scheduled for October.