Engineering:Ruf 3400S
The Ruf 3400S is a vehicle built by Ruf Automobile of Germany on the Porsche Boxster platform from 1999. It was later updated to the 3600S with Porsche's newer 3.6 litre flat-six in place of the 3.4, and both were replaced by RK Coupe/Spyder, which are essentially based on the facelifted Boxster and Cayman.
Description
Ruf introduced the 3400s in late 1999, both as their first "entry level" model and their first vehicle based on Porsche's then-new Boxster. Unlike Ruf's 911 based offerings, which usually feature the addition of forced induction and new lightweight bodypanels, the 3400S was centered mainly around an engine-swap. Porsche was still offering only one version of the Boxster in '99, with a 2.5 litre, 200 horsepower (150 kW) flat-six as the only available powerplant. Ruf techs would remove the factory engine, replacing it with a lightly tuned version of Porsche's 3.4 litre, 310 horsepower (230 kW) flat-six from the early 996-generation 911.
In order to properly handle the new engine, structural modifications were made to the Boxster chassis, both to allow for the engine's physical mounting and to help make the platform more rigid, giving it better handling to go along with the added power output. Larger brakes, an Ruf-spec suspension system and new aerodynamics rounded out major changes, while larger Ruf wheels with more aggressive tires helped increase grip. Ruf badging and interior pieces were added for visual appeal.
3800S
The 3800S, which is based on second-generation (987) Boxster and Cayman, replaces the RK Coupe and continues the naming system of its predecessors. The engine is a 3.8-litre unit derived from the Porsche 997.
References
See also
- List of automobile manufacturers of Germany
 |
