The 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS has a 4.0 with 500 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, a lighter body and a top speed of 198 mph. The 2016 Ruf RGT has a 4.2 with 525 horsepower and 369 lb-ft, a lighter body, and a top speed of 200 mph. Plus a manual, and the widest rear tires Michelin makes.
Apart from the Porsche GT3 RS only available with a PDK automatic while the Ruf is manual-only, the other significant difference are the engines. The 991 uses a direct-injection mill with lots of computers and fewer mechanical connections, while Ruf bored out the old one from the 997 connected to a six-speed stick.
Why? Because they say Porsche's new ECU comes from Siemens instead of Bosch, and the whole package is a wireless cloud compared to the previous one. They don't believe in that.
If you think that's just a bullshit excuse for using outdated tech, let me remind you that Ruf is not some shady tuner from Germany. In fact, it's considered a manufacturer like Alpina, and if I say Yellowbird, you should know what I'm on about.
They also make the bonkers CTR 3, which is a mid-engined supercar with 777 horses and 727 lb ft. They've sold about 25 so far, including one to Raph Lauren. Not this one though, which they call "the Hippie".
Look at those tires. Yes, they're 345s. The same Michelin Super Sports go to the RGT 4.2. That's why it needs extreme fender extensions and lots of exposed fasteners.
Like this:
Look how far in that brake caliper is!
If you hate the fasteners, still want the wide stuff and the manual but think the RGT is just not deadly enough, Ruf has the 911 Turbo you're looking for. It's called the RtR, packing a 3.8TT with 808 horsepower and 730 lb ft and they will build you one with rear-wheel drive. It tops out at 218 mph, but you can get shorter gearing to waste those pricey Michelins in equally shorter time.
It's fenders are also handmade metal, and please, try not to image what happens to the poor bird that gets sucked into this hole:
If I can't have a Singer, give me a Ruf and I'll still die happy.
Did I mention they do classics too? With the tartan and all?
Still unconvinced?
Go and grate some cheese...
Photo credit: Máté Petrány/Jalopnik