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Boom time for bespoke 911s

Several Porsche specialists have revealed bespoke 911s over recent weeks, suggesting an increased appetite for unusual creations…

The reimagined 911 is certainly nothing new – and yet the Porsche world never fails to impress with fresh ways to reinvent the cars we know and love. One of the longest-serving creators of bespoke 911s isn’t so much a Porsche specialist as a manufacturer in its own right. RUF shot to fame in the 1980s when its first CTR – the Yellowbird – became one of the world’s fastest production cars. The family-owned Bavarian powerhouse has long since been a benchmark for 911 engineering excellence – and its latest offerings, revealed at The Quail during August’s Monterey Car Week, are no exception.

Described as a celebration of 60 years of the Porsche 911, the RUF Tribute is based on the modular platform that has already given us the CTR Anniversary and the SCR in recent times. It features a carbon-fibre monocoque, an integrated roll cage and double-wishbone suspension. The Tribute is powered by an all-new, air-cooled engine designed by Alois Ruf himself: the 3.6-litre twinturbo unit produces 550bhp at 6,750rpm and 750Nm of torque at 4,500rpm. Delivering what RUF describes as “a new air-cooled soul and charm”, the engine’s impressive specification includes billet aluminium cylinder heads. Its four-cam, three-valve technology is cutting-edge – afirst in an air-cooled car, with variable valve timing and lift. It also runs a dry sump, just like the original 911. Partnered by twin intercoolers, dual catalytic converters and a fly ‐b y‐wire throttle, it sounds like a technological tour de force. There’s no word on pricing or production numbers yet.