Ruf Reveals 991-Based RGT-8 V8-Powered Porsche 911, Stretched Panamera [Geneva Auto Show]

The late Louis Ruf made a handsome living for many years by lending more urgency to Porsches, and his company's latest RGT-8 is a testimonial to his business acumen, to the expertise of the Ruf engineering staff, and most of all to the continuing appetite of clients for more power. Based on the 991 generation of the Porsche 911, this latest RGT-8 continues to substitute a 4.5-liter V-8 for the Porsche's standard flat-six. (The RGT-8 treatment also was applied to the 997-gen 911.) As Ruf conversions usually do, the installation here looks very tidy and well-sorted. More important, is the serious kick in the butt it delivers when the driver tramps on the go pedal. Output of the 991 911's naturally aspirated sixes ranges up to 400 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The Ruf V-8 ups the ante to 543 hp at 8500 rpm and 369 lb-ft at 4000 rp; the engine is a Ruf design, and is produced exclusively for the Bavaria-based company. The 32-valve design is all-aluminum and incorporates DOHC, a flat crank, and dry-sump lubrication. That's basic racing practice, which isn't surprising since the man overseeing its engineering was Hans Mezger, who developed the engine for Porsche's mighty 917 race cars. The price for this conversion, which includes the car, is far from cheap—about €200,000, or a little over $263,000 at current exchange rates. Of course, 543 hp might not be enough to satisfy some of Ruf's more power-hungry clientele. No worries. More muscle is gestating in the Ruf R&D section as we speak, via turbocharging. The goal for the boosted V-8 is 900 hp. If that's not enough, you may need a Hennessey Venom GT. Or therapy. Or both. Ruf's Geneva display also included a stretched Panamera sedan with unspecified performance enhancements and interior upgrades. While the lengthened body shell sort of mitigates the awkward appearance of the standard Panamera's rear half, it's still not an improvement—the RXL looks bizarre. But that probably won't matter in chauffeur-mad China, where Ruf is likely to find a number of takers for the car. from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com

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