RUF has revealed one of the most significant engineering projects in its history at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, lifting the covers on an all-new twin-turbocharged flat-eight engine. Developing more than 1000bhp and 738lb ft of torque, the 4.8-litre powerplant is the first eight-cylinder boxer engine ever created by RUF and offers an intriguing glimpse of the company’s future direction.
Known internally as the ‘Erprober’ – German for ‘tester’ – the engine is not destined for immediate production. Instead, it serves as a development platform, allowing RUF’s engineers to evaluate technologies that will underpin a future flagship. In typical RUF fashion, the company has chosen to demonstrate its engineering rather than simply discuss it, with the prototype making repeated runs up the Goodwood hill throughout the festival.
The new engine is housed within what appears at first glance to be a familiar CTR3. Closer inspection, however, reveals the extent of the modifications required to accommodate the flat-eight. The chassis has been stretched by 100mm, while power is channelled through one of RUF’s signature six-speed manual gearboxes.
‘There are moments in a company’s history that define the future,’ said Alois Ruf. ‘For RUF, the Boxer 8 is one of those moments. A boxer-eight has never been part of our story, or anyone else’s in this form, so we decided to write a new chapter in automotive history.’
While RUF has yet to reveal the production car it is destined for, the appearance of an in-house flat-eight developing four-figure power indicates the company’s next flagship could become one of its most ambitious creations yet.
