Ruf, the legendary Porsche tuner, has announced that it is still building its RCT Evo, even though the 911 it is based on went out of production 27 years ago. The original Ruf RCT Evo, based on the 964, debuted in 1993 and, as the company’s website says, “if it’s still popular, don’t stop making it.”
Why the company has decided to make a new announcement now is unclear. Perhaps the recent renaissance of 964 tuners from Singer to Rauh Welt has created a new generation of demand for pent-up versions of the once-neglected air-cooled flat-sixer. In any case, Ruf wants you to know that for € 350,000 ($ 425,200 USD and, oh, you have to supply your own base car), he is still building what is essentially a new and improved 964.
After all, Ruf Automobile goes through the cars so thoroughly that they are considered a standalone car manufacturer, issuing their own VINs on cars with body in white obtained from Stuttgart. It is known that when early Gran Turismo games couldn’t negotiate the use of the Porsche license, they simply struck a deal with Ruf to pixel cars like the legendary 1987 CTR Yellowbird.
The RCT Evo takes the original 3.6-liter engine and tweaks it to a high heaven, with 425 horsepower (419 hp) and 420 lb-ft of torque. While this may seem timid in an era of milli-equus supercars, remember the original 964 only had 247 in the stable. In addition, the Ruf offers an optional and more aerodynamic carbon fiber body, a chassis-strengthening roll cage, wheels with central locking and new carbon-ceramic brakes.
Besides, the point of a car like this isn’t necessarily speed. A new 992 might be nice – and it is – but there’s something to be said for driving an analog chassis.
“While technology has evolved since 1990, the formula for a fun car isn’t,” Estonia marketing manager Ruf said in a statement. “The car has the same feel you would expect from a 964, but with more power and less weight. for better overall performance. In other words, she continued, “The recipe didn’t change, the ingredients just got better. “