Refined and ridiculously fast, you’re looking at the latest from Germany’s most dedicated non-911 manufacturers, Ruf: the family owned concern that makes the analogue rear-engined sports cars that Porsche doesn’t anymore. Launched at Monterey car week, this is blistering 200 mph+ performance with lashings of carbon fibre and a manual gearshift. Start counting the pennies.
The look, here finished in ‘Liquid Silver’, doesn’t feel the need to yell its presence. There’s no huge whale tail or superfluous side striping. The sheer confidence of the Ehra is evidence of how Ruf goes about its business. Silhouette might seem familiar, but every panel is carbon fibre, and underneath is Ruf’s own carbon-fibre monocoque chassis.
The name derives from Germany's Ehra-Lessien proving ground with its 5.4 mile straight. That’s where 1961 Formula One world champion Phil Hill took Ruf’s CTR ‘Yellowbird' to a then production car record speed of 211 mph in 1987. Just coincidentally, 211 mph is exactly the top speed Ruf now quote for the Ehra, but you’ll have to supply your own world champion to get there. What is supplied is under that rear lid, and it is quite the tailor-made power plant.
All that power
Ruf don’t modify Porsche engines. They manufacture their own. So this might be a flat six, in the 911 tradition, but it’s very much a Ruf flat six that you’ll find, a twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre flat six, to be precise. Power – all 640 bhp of it – is to all four wheels and Ruf claim a whole 3.3 seconds is needed to reach 62 mph. Manual gearbox is seven speed and you’ll be relieved to know that brakes are up to the task - six piston to the front for example. Push-rod suspension is like that on a Formula One car.
Inside is no stripped out track car though. Ruf want the Ehra to be a grand tourer so you’ll find the plushest of hand stitched chequer ‘Pasha’ leather within, titanium pedals and seats backed with carbon fibre. Five dial dash is naturally a nod to actual 911s but all else is very much a Ruf creation.
There’s something about the sheer sophistication of the Ruf Ehra that’s appealling. Sure it’s low, wide and brutally fast. And we have no doubt that the noise will be like no other. But this is no bewinged look-at-me supercar. Strictly limited production means you won’t see another on your many trans-continental trips. Not that you’d notice, going so fast. So how much to put one in your garage? Order books are now open, pricing on enquiry - we’d suggest that you have at least £500,000 available when you call Ruf’s Pfaffenhausen HQ. Beer in Berlin? On you, since you’ll easily be there first.
