Ruf RK

The Ruf RK Coupe and RK Spyder are mid-engine sports cars made by Ruf Automobile in collaboration with Italian design house Studiotorino. The RK Spyder was introduced in 2005 in Turin and the RK Coupe was introduced the following year in 2006 in California.[2]

Not to be confused with Ruf R Kompressor.
Ruf RK Coupe/Spyder
Ruf RK Coupe
Overview
Manufacturer
Production
  • 2006–2007 (RK Coupe)
  • 2005–2008 (RK Spyder)
DesignerAldo Bovarone[1]
Body and chassis
ClassSports car (S)
Body style
LayoutRear mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive
RelatedPorsche 987
Powertrain
Engine3.8 L (231.9 cu in) supercharged flat-6
Transmission6-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,415 mm (95 in)
Length4,329 mm (170 in)
Width1,801 mm (71 in)
Height1,250 mm (49 in)
Kerb weight1,365 kg (3,009 lb) (dry)

Development and production

The RK is a result of a collaboration between German automaker Ruf and Italian carozzeria Studiotorino,[3] the RK Coupe and Spyder are based on the Porsche 987 Cayman and Boxster. The carrozzeria consulted with Aldo Brovarone on the designs, with the RK taking cues from the Ferrari Dino 246 GT, the Porsche 550, and the Porsche 904.

Both the Coupe and Spyder feature revised bodywork by Studiotorino, including redesigned front and rear fascias, redesigned vents afront the rear wheels, integrated door handles with electronic door latches, forged aluminum exhaust and filler cap, custom wheels. Revisions to the Coupe include a redesigned roofline removing the rear quarter windows and adding a new rear hatch to replace the sloping rear glass with a smaller upright piece and adding "flying" buttresses based on the existing pillars.[4]

Though RK Coupe and Spyder were limited in production by Ruf to 49 Coupes and 49 Spyders, Studiotorino's website indicates that between 2005 and 2007 they constructed three RK Spyders and one R Spyder, a naturally aspirated version of the RK, as well as two RK Coupes.[5][1]

Performance

Power comes from a 3.8 litre flat-6 engine from the Porsche 997 911 which has been supercharged in both models (the RK stands for Ruf Kompressor), with the RK Spyder rated at 313 kW (420 hp) and 450 N⋅m (332 lbf⋅ft) of torque and the RK Coupe rated at 324 kW (434 hp) at 7,000 rpm and 470 N⋅m (347 lb⋅ft) of torque at 5,500 rpm. This allows the RK Spyder to accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of 285 km/h (177 mph).[6] The RK Coupe, the better performer of the two, has a top speed of 314 km/h (190 mph),[7] and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds and from 0-97 km/h (60 mph) in 3.8 seconds.

Ruf also produced a naturally aspirated version of the RK Spyder, called the R Spyder, whose engine is rated at 350 hp (261 kW) at 6,600 rpm and 400 N⋅m (295 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4,600 rpm, propelling the car from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 280 km/h (174 mph).[5]

References
  1. "studiotorino". www.studiotorino.com. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  2. "RUF Automobile GmbH – Manufaktur für Hochleistungsautomobile – History". Retrieved 2020-05-25.
  3. Hall, Jim (2006-09-26). "Video Exclusive: RUF RK Coupé". Road & Track. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  4. "STUDIOTORINO unveils Cayman-based RK Coupe". Autoblog. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  5. "studiotorino". www.studiotorino.com. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  6. "Ruf Boxster RK Spyder". Auto Express. Retrieved 2020-07-12.
  7. "Ruf Rk Coupe".
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