When RUF Stopped Modifying Porsches and Built a Supercar
For decades, RUF earned legendary status by transforming Porsche models into some of the fastest road cars in the world.
The Yellowbird became an automotive icon.
The CTR2 pushed performance even further.
But in 2007, RUF did something entirely different.
Instead of modifying an existing Porsche platform, the company created its own bespoke supercar.
The result was the CTR3.
A mid-engine machine developed with Canadian engineering specialist Multimatic, featuring a dedicated chassis, carbon-kevlar bodywork, and performance figures capable of challenging the world’s finest exotics. It was unlike anything RUF had built before.
This 2009 example, finished in red and equipped with a manual transmission, represents one of the rarest and most fascinating German supercars of the modern era.
For enthusiasts who appreciate engineering purity and exclusivity over brand prestige, the CTR3 remains one of the most compelling collector cars available today.
A Radical Departure from Tradition
The CTR3 marked a significant turning point for RUF.
Previous CTR models had been based on rear-engine Porsche platforms, but the CTR3 adopted a completely different philosophy.
Using inspiration from endurance racing prototypes and modern supercars, RUF positioned the engine behind the occupants in a rear mid-engine layout, dramatically improving weight distribution and handling balance. The chassis combined Porsche-derived front architecture with a bespoke rear spaceframe developed alongside Multimatic, creating a platform unlike anything else on the road.
The result was a car that retained RUF’s engineering DNA while delivering an entirely new driving experience.
Twin-Turbocharged Flat-Six Power
At the heart of the CTR3 lies a heavily reworked Porsche-derived flat-six engine.
Displacing 3.7 liters and fitted with twin turbochargers, the powerplant produces approximately 691 horsepower and an extraordinary 890 Nm of torque. Power is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels, creating a driving experience that rewards skill and commitment.
Performance figures remain deeply impressive even by modern standards:
- 691 Horsepower
- 890 Nm Torque
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Twin-Turbocharged Flat-Six
- Supercar-Level Acceleration
- Top Speed Exceeding 230 mph
The power delivery is relentless, yet the car maintains the mechanical feel and driver engagement that define the greatest analog performance machines.
Built Like a Prototype Race Car
One of the most remarkable aspects of the CTR3 is its construction.
Rather than relying solely on modified production-car components, RUF developed a unique architecture featuring:
- Bespoke Multimatic-Engineered Chassis
- Rear Aluminum Spaceframe
- Carbon-Kevlar Composite Body Panels
- Lightweight Construction
- Motorsport-Inspired Packaging
The finished vehicle weighs approximately 1,400 kilograms, allowing it to fully exploit its immense power output.
The engineering philosophy feels much closer to a low-volume hypercar than a traditional tuned sports car.
Manual Transmission Rarity
One of the most appealing aspects of this particular CTR3 is the presence of a manual gearbox.
As performance cars became increasingly dominated by dual-clutch transmissions and automated systems, truly powerful manual supercars became exceptionally rare.
The CTR3 offers something increasingly difficult to find:
A 700-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive, manual-transmission supercar.
For serious driving enthusiasts, that combination is almost impossible to replicate today.
The interaction between the turbocharged flat-six and manual transmission creates a level of engagement that many modern hypercars simply cannot match.
One of the Rarest Modern Supercars
The CTR3 was never intended to be produced in large numbers.
Production remained extremely limited throughout its lifecycle.
Industry estimates suggest that only around thirty standard CTR3 examples were built, making it substantially rarer than virtually every contemporary Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren.
Its rarity has increasingly attracted collectors searching for alternatives to more mainstream supercars.
Unlike many limited-production exotics, the CTR3 offers genuine engineering uniqueness rather than exclusivity alone.
A Hidden Collector Market Favorite
In recent years, RUF models have experienced significant appreciation among collectors.
The market has increasingly recognized RUF as a true manufacturer rather than a tuner, with many models achieving values comparable to the most desirable Ferraris and Porsches.
The CTR3 occupies a particularly interesting position within that landscape.
It combines:
- Genuine RUF VIN
- Bespoke Chassis
- Mid-Engine Layout
- Manual Transmission
- Twin-Turbo Flat-Six
- Extremely Limited Production
These qualities have helped establish the CTR3 as one of the most desirable modern RUF models ever produced.
One of the Greatest Cars You’ve Probably Never Driven
The CTR3 remains something of an insider’s secret.
It lacks the celebrity status of a Ferrari Enzo or Porsche Carrera GT, yet many enthusiasts who have experienced the car consider it one of the most exciting driver’s cars of its generation.
Its combination of immense performance, lightweight construction, manual interaction, and rarity creates an experience unlike almost anything else on the road.
For collectors seeking something genuinely different, the CTR3 may be one of the most compelling opportunities currently available.
Looking for a Car Like This?
The RUF CTR3 combines bespoke German engineering, extreme performance, and exceptional rarity in one of the most fascinating modern supercars ever produced.
Our Luxury Car Sourcing service provides access to rare RUF models, limited-production performance cars, collector-grade supercars, and discreet off-market opportunities through trusted international automotive networks.
Whether you are searching for a CTR3, CTR Yellowbird, CTR2, SCR, Porsche Carrera GT, or another highly specialized driver’s car, we can assist in identifying exceptional opportunities worldwide.
Vehicle Specifications
Model: RUF CTR3
Year: 2009
Mileage: Please Inquire
Engine: 3.7-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Flat-Six
Power: 691 hp
Torque: 890 Nm
Transmission: Manual
Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive
Body Style: Coupe
Exterior Color: Red
Location: Indiana, USA
Key Features
- Genuine RUF Production Vehicle
- Mid-Engine Layout
- Twin-Turbocharged Flat-Six
- Manual Transmission
- Carbon-Kevlar Bodywork
- Multimatic-Developed Chassis
- Rear Aluminum Spaceframe
- Carbon Ceramic Brakes
- Lightweight Construction
- Approximately 691 Horsepower
- Extremely Limited Production
- One of RUF’s Most Important Models
Dealer Information
This RUF CTR3 is offered by Graham Rahal Performance, a specialist performance and collector car dealership known for sourcing rare supercars, low-production exotics, and highly collectible enthusiast automobiles.