You might know RUF for the 1987 CTR Yellowbird, a special Porsche 911 that could do 211 mph. Or perhaps you've seen something from the modern era like the 750 horsepower CTR3, a car that could eat a Carrera GT for breakfast. Now Lotus F1 called Lotus F1's boss called, and he wants their expertise.
The great thing about RUF is that because they use unmarked Porsche bodies and chassis which are then filled with their own parts, the company is recognized as a manufacturer rather than a tuner. So when they put a V8 into a 911, that becomes a RUF RGT-8 rather than a Porsche 911 with a V8. That's all very well, but last time I've checked, Lotus F1 was using Renault engines. So maybe RUF will have nothing to do with Lotus after all. Still, Genii Capital has just bought into RUF, with Lotus F1 boss Gerard Lopez becoming the non-executive chairman of the board.
Mr. Lopez is a proper gearhead, who happens to have a Yellowbird in his garage among other highly enjoyable objects like an E30 M3 Evo, a Reanult Clio Williams, a Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9, a 993 GT2 Clubsport and an AC Cobra 427. He promises the Geneva Motor Show will be especially exciting this year around RUF's stand.
It will be interesting to see what a bit of extra cash can do to RUF, so we will certainly be there to check on that promise.