Proof That Air-Cooled Isn't Dead: The New RUF Tribute
If you were at Monterey Car Week, you might have seen a car that looks like a classic Porsche but sounds like nothing else on the road. It’s the new Ruf Tribute, and it’s a love letter to the era of air-cooled engines. Ruf didn’t just restore a classic; they built a completely new car that feels like a pure, old-school driving machine, proving that sometimes, you can go back in time.
The Return of Air-Cooled Glory
This isn’t a modified Porsche engine. The heart of the Tribute is a completely new, air-cooled 3.6-liter flat-six engine that Ruf engineered and built from the ground up. This is a huge deal, because most modern cars use water cooling to pass emissions. But Ruf, with some clever engineering, managed to create an air-cooled engine that meets today's standards.
543 Horsepower: The twin-turbo engine puts out an incredible 543 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque.
Manual Only: For purists, the only transmission option is a seven-speed manual, giving you full control over that air-cooled power.
Modern but Nostalgic: The engine has modern tech like variable valve timing and lift, but it retains the classic three-valve-per-cylinder design to manage heat.
A Carbon-Fiber Shell with Classic Proportions
The Tribute’s body is a clear homage to the iconic Porsche 911s of the 964 generation. But under the retro-inspired skin is a state-of-the-art chassis.
Lightweight: The car is built on a carbon-fiber tub with carbon-fiber body panels, giving it a claimed curb weight of roughly 2,800 pounds. That’s even lighter than a 1990s Carrera 2, despite being much more powerful.
Race-Ready Suspension: It has a highly advanced control-arm suspension with pushrod adaptive dampers, just like a modern race car.