RUF Unveils Twin-Turbo Flat-8!

German sports car manufacturer RUF Automobile has unveiled an all-new eight-cylinder boxer engine, marking a significant engineering milestone for the company. Making its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the in-house developed 4.8-liter boxer engine is a twin-turbocharged configuration producing more than 1,000 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque.

Known internally as the “Erprober,” or “Tester,” the development engine is housed in a specially modified RUF CTR3 test vehicle that has been extended to accommodate the new powerplant. Driven by racing legend Tanner Foust, the prototype will tackle Goodwood’s Supercar Run twice daily from Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12, while remaining on display in the event’s Supercar Paddock.

Development Platform for Future RUF Models

The Boxer 8 is not intended for immediate production. Instead, it serves as a dedicated development platform for technologies that will underpin a future RUF model. According to the company, every new RUF vehicle undergoes thousands of kilometers of testing before reaching production to validate performance, durability and everyday drivability. Development of the B8 has been supported by MOTUL, RUF’s official lubricant partner, through the use of its high-performance lubricants.

By bringing the prototype to Goodwood, RUF is continuing its tradition of testing future technology in public while revealing little about its long-term production plans. The company says the festival provides an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities—and distinctive soundtrack—of its new twin-turbo boxer-eight under real-world conditions.

“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. We look forward to letting the engine speak for itself at Goodwood.”

Modified CTR3 Serves as Test Vehicle

While the prototype closely resembles a standard CTR3, several modifications distinguish it as a dedicated engineering test vehicle. Most notably, the chassis has been stretched by 100 millimeters to package the new boxer-eight engine, which is paired with a RUF six-speed manual transmission. RUF says the CTR3 was selected as the development platform because its performance capabilities allow engineers to fully evaluate the new powertrain while maintaining the company’s tradition of discreet testing.

Livery Inspired by RUF Heritage

The prototype also debuts a new exterior livery designed to reflect the ongoing evolution of the Boxer 8 program. Created in collaboration with Aloisa Ruf and OPTIMA Batteries, the design draws inspiration from the iconic Blossom Yellow finish of the legendary CTR Yellowbird. Flowing graphics incorporate the shape of the number eight to represent both the engine’s cylinder count and RUF’s continuous cycle of engineering, testing and refinement.

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