DRIVEN: The RUF CTR "Yellowbird" Rises Like A Phoenix, 30 Years Later

Just to set the record straight before we get going, RUF is an automaker. It is not a tuner although one may thinking that given that it works exclusively with Porsche products.

And the CTR "Yellowbird" is a motoring legend.

So, it was an interesting surprise to learn that RUF decided to resurrect the Yellowbird for its 30th anniversary. I guess one could ask, "Why not?"

CAR magazine, based in the UK, had the chance to get behind the wheel of the 700 horsepower monster. The end result? Well, you can digest that here but I'd recommend you check out the full story via the link below.

It's worth a read.

Early verdict

On these rolling, well-sighted rolling roads, which allow you to safely pick off slower traffic – and all traffic is slug-slow when you’re in the CTR – it’s ridiculously easy to maintain a very decent lick of speed. This feels like such a capable vehicle, as if Ruf and his team squeezed every last drop of Porscheness available, boiled it down to a concentrate and then brimmed the CTR.

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MDarringer - 3/16/2019 10:35:11 AM

+5 Boost

Ruf likes to think it's an automaker, but it makes autos out of parts made by other automakers.

Agent00R - 3/16/2019 10:02:38 PM

-3 Boost

Ignorance is bliss. :)

qwertyfla1 - 3/16/2019 12:33:42 PM

+2 Boost

I asked my dog what kind of Porsche is that and he said "ruf, ruf"

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 3/16/2019 1:48:27 PM

-1 Boost

New chassis, carbon body, reworked engine and interior. New suspension etc. Looks like a 911, but it really isn't.

MDarringer - 3/16/2019 4:39:35 PM

+2 Boost

But it NOT a literally new chassis. All the rest are minor tweaks to Porsche designs. This is a tuner this is NOT a manufacturer.

Agent00R - 3/16/2019 10:04:34 PM

0 Boost

Incorrect, Matt. Check the classification of the company and the fact it has its own VIN.

Not a tuner.

MDarringer - 3/16/2019 10:12:58 PM

+2 Boost

Incorrect. The design uses the Porsche layout, but just does it with different materials. This is NOT a designed-from-scratch car. It's adapted from Porsche's engineering.

TomM - 3/17/2019 6:41:03 AM

+1 Boost

First - IF this truly is NOT a tuner - than this Porsche would drive like one from 30 years ago - at a time when they were still a real Handful to drive - and would be something I would not want. It is therefore at least partially a Tuner. The fact that it has its own VIN numbers is meaningless in that regard. Certainly VW - the parent company - HAS TO BE INVOLVED for this to happen.

Clearly some aspects of this car have been updated with more current specifications - BUT - even if RUF is a car manufacturer - it cannot just decide to rebuild an old Porsche design (Except maybe in china) - it has to at least have the blessings of Porsche (After all - it will compete with modern Porsche sales).

Today - lots of cars are manufactured by outside companies for other companies in small numbers as well as trucks. Who manufactured the car has much less to do with the factory where it was assembled. Are the Vans that Gm has outsourced to Navistar any Less a GM van than ones made in a GM factory?

MDarringer - 3/17/2019 10:07:31 AM

+2 Boost

First: It uses a Porsche layout.
Second: It uses Porsche components
Third: I uses Porsche styling.
Fourth: Porsche...Porsche...Porsche
Fifth: If this were truly a bespoke car, why is it just a Porsche?