RUF Speedster and Bergmeister
RUF Automobile Gmbh has been making Porsche 911s go faster since the 1970s and is rightly considered and respected as pioneers of the movement. During Monterey Car Week at The Quail it gave the SCR its North American debut, and presented two new open-top 993-based cars: the Bergmeister and the Speedster.
Taking inspiration from legendary Porsche hillclimb racers such as the 906, 718 RS60
Spyder and crucially the 909 Bergspyder, the
RUF Bergmeister was designed by famed Porsche designer Tony Hatter, whose credits include both the 993 generation 911 and the 911 GT1. The carbon-skinned Bergmeister is designed to offer a pure and visceral driving experience both on road and track, in a car that combines classic motorsport design heritage with up-to-date engineering excellence in a lightweight package.
The powertrain is rear mounted and dry sumped. Engineered in-house at RUF, it’s an air-cooled, 3.6-litre single-turbocharged flat six engine producing 450bhp and 600Nm of torque, connected to a six-speed manual transmission. The interior is clad in alcantara, creating a purposeful driving environment to enjoy a car that’s set up to deliver precise handling and what Alois Ruf, owner of RUF Automobile Gmbh, describes as, “The most elemental driving experience.”
Referencing the 909 Bergspyder as a key part of the brief, and also taking inspiration from the famous 1968 Adamowicz 911 that conquered its class in the Trans Am series running without a rear valance or bumper, designer Tony was able to leave as much of the engine and suspension as he could on show beneath the rear light bar and classic aero addenda. I wonder if there will be any heat glow to see at night?
The front wheel openings take inspiration from Tony’s own 1997 911 GT1 Evo design, but are cut 20mm higher than on a stock 993 to bring the car lower to the ground. The front and rear light units are new RUF lighting systems showcased for the first time at Monterey. The entire car is a pursuit of lightness – as was the original 909 Bergspyder.
Also debuting at Monterey was the RUF Speedster. Built for a customer, and by no means the first attempt to create a Speedster version of the 993, it’s surely one of the most successful. The colour is a paint to sample and as yet unnamed green. The Speedster’s body is metal, but the bumpers, front wings and bonnet are carbon fibre. Transmission is six-speed manual and the car is rear-wheel-drive. RUF was able to achieve a weight of only 1,220kg, helped by centre lock 19-inch forged wheels and carbon ceramic brakes.
The engine is 993 Carrera-based, air-cooled and naturally aspirated. It’s a dry sump, 4.0-litre with a special crankshaft, different cams, big bore cylinders, higher compression pistons, lightweight connection rods and a modern Bosch MS3 ECU. The engine revs to 8,000rpm, and produces 410hp with 415Nm of torque. The exhaust is a RUF item with long tube headers.