History - RUF Automobile GmbH - For more than 70 years, the name RUF has been associated with automotive performance expertise. RUF is renowned for their skills as an automobile manufacturer and performance tuner of Porsche automobiles.

In 1939, Alois Ruf Senior founded the company "AUTO-RUF" as a general service garage in Pfaffenhausen, Germany. In the 1960s, the company gained invaluable experience in servicing and restoring Porsches.

The first RUF enhanced Porsche model made its debut in 1975. Two years later, a turbo charged 911 engine was enlarged to 3.3 liters by RUF. This was accomplished through the use of larger pistons and resulted in a distinct performance increase, from 260 bhp  to 303 bhp. The engine output was transmitted to the rear axle by a prototype of the RUF five-speed transmission. This became the first step in product development that has become the backbone of RUF production and reputation.

As RUF’s reputation for performance grew, so did orders for performance upgrades. In responding to growing customers demands, RUF introduced their own five-speed transmission in 1981. This same year, RUF received the coveted Manufacturers Certification from the German government. This certification gives RUF the distinction of now being a manufacturer, not merely a tuner, a distinction that separates RUF Automobile from its competitors.

The company’s first car, representing the culmination of RUF engineering advancements for the 911, was introduced in 1983, the RUF BTR. This model, with a 3.4 liter turbo engine producing 374 bhp and a five speed transmission, was available in either a narrow body or turbo body configuration.

The RUF CTR high-speed sports car received its certification for normal road use in 1987. The infamous “Yellowbird”, a 469 bhp twin turbo coupé, exceeded the top speed world record for production cars on the Nardo racetrack at 342 km/h. That same year, RUF Automobile GmbH became an approved manufacturer by the US government for both safety and emissions (EPA and DOT).

Product development continued and the CTR and BTR became available with a six speed RUF transmission. RUF introduced available 18” inch wheels in 1991. In 1996, the new CTR2  was introduced with 3.6 liter engine producing 520bhp and achieved a top speed of 340km/h. The CTR2 also included the IRC, or integrated roll cage adding additional safety and structural rigidty.

With the introduction of the water-cooled 996 and Boxster model came new prospects for RUF products. The RUF 3400 S, unveiled at the 1999 Essen Motor Show, enhanced the power available to the Boxster line. The 3400 S has a power output of 310 bhp.

In 2004, the RUF RGT with 395 bhp was introduced. Created for the American market, the RGT revived the philosophy and essence of the 911 Carrera from 1973: A light weight construction along with a naturally aspirated engine. The rear spoiler design of the sporty RGT stylistically follows the fashion of “duck tail” of 1973.

At the Essen Motor Show in November 2004, RUF presented the RUF Rt 12. This RUF turbo is based on the 997 Carrera, with a 650 bhp 3.8 liter twin turbo engine.

In 2005 RUF and STUDIOTORINO presented the RUF RK Spyder with a 3.8 liter Kompressor (supercharger) engine with a power output of 420 bhp. The world premiere of the RUF RK Coupé with a STUDIOTORINO chassis and a 440 bhp 3.8 liter Kompressor engine took place in California in 2006.

In 2005 RUF Automobile GmbH became affiliated to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).

Introduced in 2007, the RUF CTR 3 features technical highlights like a 700 bhp bi-turbo mid engine mated to sequential shift six-speed gearbox. The mid engine design provides exceptional balance and agile handling, while the longer wheelbase provides better driving stability at high speed. In May 2007, the RUF Rt 12 won readers’ choice in the German “sport auto” magazine in the of super sport cars category in front of Bugatti 16.4 Veyron and the Ferrari 599 GTB.

For RUF’s the 25th anniversary as an internationally authorized car manufacturer, RUF built the edition model 3400 K – a Kompressor sports car which is available in two body versions: as Coupé and Roadster.

In 2008 RUF unveiled the first German electric automobile: the eRUF. In March 2009, the next sensational bang followed: the eRUF Roadster. The eRUF Roadster was developed in cooperation with Siemens Corporate Technology. The power output is 270 kW (367 bhp) and offers phenomenal torque of over 900 Nm. Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h is 5 seconds, with a maximum speed is 250 km/h.

The Rt 12 S was introduced in 2009. The Rt 12 S has advanced standard equipment with integrated roll cage and a ceramic brake system. The output of the twin turbo engine was upgraded to 685 bhp – 35 bhp more than the extremely successful Rt 12.  Ceramic brakes and an integrated roll cage are standard. The Rt 12 S is a super sports automobile intended for everyday use, with an unprecedented maximum speed of 360 km/ and maximum torque of 880 Nm. With the Rt 12 S, RUF managed to bring the performance to perfection.

RUF Automobile, at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, shocked the performance community by announcing the next generation of RGT, the RGT-8. This spectacular prototype vehicle is powered by a completely new RUF designed V8 engine with a 180 crankshaft or  "Flatcrank". Four valves arranged spherically together with multipoint fuel injection ensure optimal mixture conditions while the dry-sump oil system supplies the necessary lubrication. The lightweight 4.5 litre V8 engine is a very compact design, and delivers 404kW (550bhp) @ 8500rpm and a maximum torque of 500Nm @ 5400rpm

The Porsche Service Centre in Pfaffenhausen (PSZ) opened it's doors officially for business on Januray 10th, 2011. The dedicated PSZ facility will focus on Porsche service and maintenance, the sale of items from Porsche Design Driver's Selection and will feature the most modern electronic vehicle diagnostic systems available.

The service area, with 780 square meters of floor space, is equipped with five hydraulic car lifts as well the parts department, service bays for electronic test  measurements, tire fitting and engine and gearbox maintenance.

The extensive Porsche experience of the RUF staff ensures professional service not only for the current Porsche range but also for older models covering the entire range of Porsche models.

On March 1, 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, RUF Automobile introduced the next generation of the Rt series, the Rt 12 R Coupe. This car proudly announced it's German heritage wearing a brash color scheme replicating the German tri-color flag. The Rt 12 R can boast an amazing 730hp version of the liquid-cooled boxer six. It is available in both rear wheel drive or all wheel drive, with an standard integrated roll cage and a ceramic brake system.

RUF has made a name for itself, not only as an automobile manufacturer, but also as specialists in vintage car restoration and the rebuilding of classic RUF and Porsche automobiles.