RUF RGT-8 Revealed with V8 Engine Transplant

 RUF RGT-8 Revealed with V8 Engine Transplant
RUF RGT-8 - 1536 - 05.03.2010

Will go into production in 2011

RUF has unveiled the next generation RGT, the RGT-8.

Based on the current 997 Porsche 911, the RGT-8 "is powered by a completely new RUF designed V8 engine with a 180° crankshaft flatcrank." It features "four valves arranged spherically together with multipoint fuel injection [which] ensure optimal mixture conditions while the dry-sump system supplies the necessary lubrication." Boasting a capacity of 4.5-liters, the V8 produces 404 kW (542 hp / 549 PS) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque.

To ensure maximum sportiness, RUF made the RGT-8 as light as possible. It comes with aluminum doors, an aluminum hood, a carbon fiber engine cover, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler. Other performance goodies include ceramic brakes, an integrated roll-cage, and 19-inch forged alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires.

In terms of styling, the RGT-8 remains pretty faithful to the standard 911. However, if you want a more exclusive appearance, RUF offers a Frère package. Inspired by the 550 Coupe, that Paul Frère drove to victory in the 1953 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Frère package consists of redesigned front fenders, a unique front end, and special interior trim.

RUF is planning to launch the RGT-8 in 2011, so look for more information to be released later this year.

Source: RUF

Almost 10 years ago to the day, RUF began to fill niches in the market with the, at that time new, water-cooled Porsche models. The first RUF RGT was based on the Porsche 996. It used the 3.6 litre engine from the GT3 as the base with the crankcase from the air-cooled 3.6 litre engines. The engine delivered 283kW (385bhp). The car itself ran on 18 inch RUF alloy wheels and the narrow body was optimised aerodynamically. The vehicle was fitted with a discrete but functional integrated roll cage.

In 2004 the story continued, this time based on the Porsche 997. Immediately recognisable by the screwed-on carbon composite fender extensions both front and rear. The power plant was a naturally aspirated 3.8 litre unit delivering 327kW (445bhp). A dry-sump oil system ensured sufficient lubrication even under tough racing conditions. A roll-cage was fitted as standard ensuring a high level of passive safety. The RGT was supplied with a chassis optimised for the race track and ran on 19 inch alloy wheels.

March 2010 and the time is right for RUF to announce 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 "Flatcrank". Four valves arranged spherically together with multipoint fuel injection ensure optimal mixture conditions while the dry-sump system supplies the necessary lubrication. The lightweight engine has a very compact design, has a capacity of 4.5 litres arranged as a V8 and delivers 404kW (550bhp) @ 8500rpm and complements with a maximum torque of 500Nm @ 5400rpm. At all stages of the design process, compactness and weight saving were of priority, the result of which is a total engine weight of less than 200kg. A 6 speed gearbox with shortened gear shift movement transfers the power to the rear axle. To ensure the best adhesion characteristics, the RGT-8 is supplied with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires running on 19 inch RUF forged alloy wheels utilising a single central retaining nut. The powertrain is rounded off with sturdy ceramic brakes as standard for optimal braking.

The current Porsche 911 forms the basis for the RGT-8 chassis which is then further optimised with bodywork components from RUF. As always, an integrated roll-cage is supplied delivering increased chassis stability and passive safety. In addition, we are pleased to offer a Frère package which enhances the standard vehicle with special front fenders, nose and dashboard components. The styling was inspired by the 550 Coupé with which Paul Frère, the Belgian race driver, won the best of class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1953.

The RUF RGT-8 production start is planned for 2011.

Body:

  • 2 seated coupé with integrated roll-cage
  • 2 racing type bucket seats
  • Aluminium doors and front hood
  • Carbon fibre engine cover and rear spoiler

Engine:

  • Lightweight-8-Cylinder-90°-engine with racing DNA
  • 180° crankshaft "Flatcrank"
  • 4,5 Liter displacement
  • Power output 404 kW (550 bhp) @ 8500rpm
  • Maximum torque 500 Nm @ 5400rpm
  • Aluminium crankcase and cylinder heads
  • Water cooled, cylinderheads and engineblock cross flowed
  • 4-valve system with spherical layout
  • 4 camshafts with hydraulically timed valve system for in- and outlet
  • Hydraulic valve tappets
  • Dry sump oil lubrication with two windage trays for each of the 4 chambers
  • Individual chamber oil suction with 2 suction intakes
  • Waterpump, generator and AC compressor are directly driven of the Engine (no belts), located at the lowest position
  • Sequential fuel injection system
  • Individual cylinder ignition coils
  • Electronic engine management system
  • Electronic throttle control system per bank with 2 butterflies
  • 3-Way catalytic converters with stereo closed loop lambda control
  • On-Board-Diagnosis for continuous monitoring of the exhaust system

Transmission:

  • Rear wheel drive with 6 speed manual gearbox

Chassis:

  • Electronic stability control system, ABS, traction control, automatic limited-slip differential
  • RUF high performance brakes with ceramic discs, perforated and air cooled
    • Front brake disc diameter 380 mm
    • Rear brake disc diameter 350 mm
  • Forged RUF alloy wheels with single central retaining nut
  •  
    • Front : 9Jx19 with 245/35 ZR 19
    • Rear : 12Jx19 with 325/30 ZR 19
    • Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires

 

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Comments (18)

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 sub39h sub39h
and what exactly was wrong with the Turbo's flat 6 and an engine remap?
March 5, 2010 7:16 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
this engine is almost 40 kg lighter than the turbo engine. and it will sound better.
March 5, 2010 10:02 am
 rnsaza rnsaza
I never imagined that a V8 in a 911 could make so much sense. Sure the c of g will be a bit higher but 40kg lighter? WOW. As for the flat plane crank... ORGASMIC is all I can say about the sound from that! Ferrari V8's and the current BMW ///M3 V8 don't have classical V8 sounds but they do sound great. My thumbs are up for this car and the concept, I wonder if Porsche might enter the current power wars and try a V8 like this in a special edition 911. I'm sure it would sell like hot cake's in the USA where V8's have a special place in the motoring public's hearts. As for the V8 vs Flat 6, the motor is in the wrong place in a 911 to start with so what is wrong with adding more choice to the 911 ito motors?
March 7, 2010 12:07 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
it is lighter than the turbo engine , but it has 200 NM less torque and the higher center of gravity will affect handling. a 180? V engine would make sense in a 911, but the fans will cry sacrilege. the only option for Porsche would be to make something like a 913 model with a 180? V8 to compete against high end sportscars.
March 7, 2010 3:38 am
 justbored justbored
@rnsaza: E92 M3 has a crosscrank engine, not flat.
March 7, 2010 6:47 am
 justbored justbored
Flatcrank, nice one :)
March 5, 2010 7:40 am
 migass migass
Porsche with a v8...next thing will see is a ferrari with a 4cyl boxer from a subaru!lool
March 5, 2010 7:55 am
 Mikeado Mikeado
Actually it's more like Ferrari putting a V10 in a 458. Actually, it's more like Novitec Rosso putting 2 cylinders into the F430 Scuderia's engine. <\Killjoy>
March 5, 2010 8:39 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
nothing out of the ordinary about Porsche an V8s, they used them since the 928. but this is a RUF with a V8 and anything is possible, Ferrari actually used boxer engines.
March 5, 2010 10:03 am
 migass migass
Porsche with a v8...next thing will see is a ferrari with a 4cyl boxer from a subaru!lool
March 5, 2010 7:56 am
 Mikeado Mikeado
So is it a 911 engine woth 2 extra cylinders? Or a very reworked Cayenne/Panamera engine? The way they talk about it, it sounds like they built it from scratch. Anyway, imagine what a Boxer-8 911 would sound like...
March 5, 2010 8:37 am
 justbored justbored
They somehow did. The Cayenne/Panamera engine is crosscrank, while this one is flatcrank. But it's also a V engine and not a boxer engine. So not a modified 911 engine.
March 5, 2010 9:21 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
justbored is right, this is not a boxer engine, it's RUF's own design.
March 5, 2010 9:59 am
 ricer8 ricer8
The Daytona 24-hour race was won this year by a team using the daytona prototype with a Cayenne V8 motor.
March 5, 2010 5:44 pm
 Iconic Iconic
Sacrilege!! It's like putting a boxer in a Ferrari, oh wait that's what the Testarossa was.
March 6, 2010 8:46 pm
 scratchy996 scratchy996
i want to see the Frere package
March 7, 2010 3:36 am
 Aesthetics Aesthetics
sound better? flat crank would make it sound like a ferrari v8
March 16, 2010 11:28 am
 Aesthetics Aesthetics
if i were ruf, i'd run a gt2 car with 4wd from the turbo s...anti lag and stuff like that
March 16, 2010 11:31 am