Ruf BTR
title: "Ruf BTR" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["ruf-vehicles", "cars-powered-by-boxer-engines", "cars-introduced-in-1983", "first-car-made-by-manufacturer", "rear-engined-vehicles", "cars-discontinued-in-1989"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruf_BTR" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox automobile"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| image | Ruf BTR.jpg |
| caption | A Ruf BTR with aftermarket BBS wheels |
| name | Ruf BTR |
| manufacturer | Ruf Automobile GmbH |
| production | 1983–1989 (about 20-30 built from Porsche "body in white" chassis, rest converted from customer cars) |
| class | Sports car (S) |
| body_style | 2-door coupé |
| platform | Porsche 911 |
| layout | Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| related | Porsche 930 |
| engine | 3367 cc turbocharged flat-6 |
| transmission | 5-speed manual |
| wheelbase | 2272 mm |
| length | 4251-4291 mm |
| width | 1652-1775 mm |
| height | 1270-1295 mm |
| weight | 2577-2990 lb |
| predecessor | Ruf SCR |
| successor | {{ubl |
| :: |
| image = Ruf BTR.jpg | caption = A Ruf BTR with aftermarket BBS wheels | name = Ruf BTR | manufacturer = Ruf Automobile GmbH | production = 1983–1989 (about 20-30 built from Porsche "body in white" chassis, rest converted from customer cars) | class = Sports car (S) | body_style = 2-door coupé | platform = Porsche 911 | layout = Rear-engine, rear-wheel drive | related = Porsche 930 | engine = 3367 cc turbocharged flat-6 | transmission = 5-speed manual | wheelbase = 2272 mm | length = 4251-4291 mm | width = 1652-1775 mm | height = 1270-1295 mm | weight = 2577-2990 lb | predecessor = Ruf SCR | successor = {{ubl |Ruf CTR |Ruf BTR 3.8 |RUF BTR2
The Ruf BTR (Gruppe B Turbo RUF) is a sports car built by German automobile manufacturer Ruf Automobile. The BTR began production in 1983 and was based on the Porsche 911 (produced from 1978–1989) available in a narrow 911 or optional wide body configuration akin to the 930 Turbo (the drag difference causing more than 12.5 mph difference in top speed). The BTR was the first Ruf production sports car with a company specific VIN.
Construction of each vehicle began at the bare chassis level. About 20–30 cars were built this way, probably even more were converted from customer cars, though no clear records exist to signify the total number of cars produced.
Specifications
The BTR was powered by a 3.4-litre, flat-6 turbocharged engine, producing 374 PS at 6,000 rpm and 480 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm. It came standard with a five-speed manual transmission, though a six-speed transmission became available in 1988 upon request. Other changes included bigger brakes and a stiffer suspension system.
Changes done to converted customer cars included a Ruf 5-speed manual transmission, quad-pipe exhaust system, Recaro leather seats, Ruf instrument clusters and steering wheel, Simpson race harness, twin-plug conversion applied to the engine, engine capacity increased to 3.4-litres with modifications done to the turbocharger, a front spoiler with an oil cooler, optional Porsche 935 style wing mirrors and Ruf 5-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels. The BTR conversion was available either for the 930 Turbo or for a Carrera 3.2.
Performance
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/1987_Ruf_BTR_Cabriolet_Flachbau_in_Red,_front_right.jpg" caption="Two convertible BTRs were also built."] ::
Test results with narrow 911 body (by Car & Driver):
- 0–30 mi/h: 1.6 seconds
- 0–60 mi/h: 4.3 seconds
- 0–100 mi/h: 9.6 seconds
- 0–130 mi/h: 16.9 seconds
- 0–150 mi/h: 24.3 seconds
- mile (402m): 12.5 seconds at 112 mph
- Top speed: 305 km/h (tested by Auto, Motor und Sport)
Awards and recognition
In 1984, a Ruf BTR won the "World's Fastest Cars" contest held by the American car magazine Road & Track with a 10 mph lead and also dominated the acceleration tests. It accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, 0-100 mph in 10.4 seconds, covered the 1/4 mile in 13.3 seconds at a speed of 110 mph, and managed a top speed of 186.2 mph.
At the next contest three years later, the same car, with 211,000 trouble-free miles on the odometer, visited outside the competition and attained a top speed of 187 mph, still able to outperform most of the newer cars including the Lamborghini Countach 5000 QV, the AMG Hammer, the Ferrari 288 GTO, the Ferrari Testarossa and the Isdera Imperator 108i. Only the Porsche 959, the Ruf CTR and a Koenig-modified Porsche 911 Turbo with engine by RS-Tuning were faster.
In Auto, Motor und Sport 22/1984 issue, a Ruf BTR set a new 0–100 km/h acceleration record for production cars tested by the magazine. It accelerated from 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 15.5 seconds and covered a standing kilometre in 23.0 seconds.
Later Models
BTR 3.8
Introduced in 1993, the BTR 3.8 was based on the rear-wheel-drive 964 Carrera 2 and changes included an enlarged engine capacity of 3.8-litres, a turbocharger, a 6-speed automatic transmission with an electronic clutch, a completely reworked suspension and brakes, special 18-inch Ruf 5-spoke wheels and larger tyres measuring 235/40 ZR at the front and 265/35 ZR at the rear. The modifications done to the engine resulted in a power output of 415 PS.
The car had a spartan, driver focused interior and featured lightweight racing bucket seats. Performance figures included acceleration to 97 kph in 3.6 seconds, acceleration to 200 kph in 12.9 seconds and a top speed of 199.06 mph making it one of the fastest cars in the world at the time of its introduction.
BTR2
Main article: Ruf BTR2
Introduced in 1993, the Ruf BTR2 was based on the Porsche 993. Using the 993 Carrera as a donor car, the BTR2 had a single turbocharger setup (with 11.6 psi of boost pressure), just like the original BTR. Changes done to the engine included an air-to-air intercooler, an auxiliary oil-cooler, Bosch Motronic engine management system and a lower compression ratio. The engine generated a maximum power output of 420 PS at 5,000 rpm and 435 lbft of torque at 4,800 rpm.
The car included a Ruf 6-speed manual transmission, limited slip differential (with 60% lockup), lowered suspension (30mm reduction), bigger brake discs and stiff anti-rollbars as standard equipment. Other changes included Ruf 5-spoke alloy wheels, racing bucket seats in the interior, different front and rear bumpers and a "whale-tail" rear wing.
Performance figures included acceleration to 97 kph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 308 kph.
Notes
References
References
- [[Car and Driver]] November 1988
- "1984 Ruf BTR conversion kit".
- [[Auto, Motor und Sport]] 3/1987
- [[Road & Track]] September 1984
- [[Road & Track]] July 1987
- [[Auto, Motor und Sport]] 22/1984
- Vivian, David. (December 1993). "Ruf BTR 3.8". Performance Car Magazine.
- (1 June 2018). "WATCH: Seven Reasons Why the RUF BTR2 is Better Than a Stock Porsche 911 {{!}} Automobile Magazine". Automobile Magazine.
- (9 December 2014). "Curbside Classic: 1995 Ruf BTR-2 – No, It's Not A Porsche.".
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