Ruf Unveils New Flat-Eight Engine at Goodwood

Ruf unveiled a new flat-eight engine at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week, marking a significant development for the German automaker. Originally known for tuning Porsches, Ruf has transitioned into building cars of its own design, a status recognized by German authorities since 1983 when the BTR model received a Ruf Vehicle Identification Number. This evolution continued with the 2007 CTR3, a mid-engined car featuring a frame chassis co-developed with Multimatic, diverging from the traditional rear-engined Porsche 911 architecture.

More recently, Ruf has focused on producing its own all-carbon monocoque chassis for models like the SCR and Rodeo. While these vehicles retain a visual resemblance to the 964-era Porsche 911 and still utilize horizontally opposed six-cylinder engines, the introduction of the flat-eight signifies a move towards distinct powertrain development for Ruf's next generation of vehicles. The public debut at Goodwood allows for the engine's first live demonstration, showcasing Ruf's ongoing commitment to innovation beyond its Porsche-based origins.