Porsche isn't the only company slapping motors and batteries in its cars. German tuning haus RUF Automobile has rolled out a fleet of ten electrified Porsche 911s to see how the technology fares in high-performance applications.
RUF has been playing with electricity for about two years now, and it appears the company is serious about making it work. The 10 cars, developed with Siemens AG (which also made an electric motocycle with the guys at Orange County Choppers) appear just as tasty as the Boxster E coming from Zuffenhausen.
The 10 cars, based on the 997 Carrera, feature three different drivetrains.
The first sports a single 180 kilowatt (240 horsepower) electric motor and a stock gearbox used as a gear reduction. The 29 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery provides a claimed range of 150 kilometers (93 miles). Top speed is pegged at of 136 mph and the car reportedly does zero to 62 mph "in about 7 seconds."
Moving up the line, the second drivetrain features two motors good for 250 kilowatts (335 horsepower) and a two-speed automatic gearbox. Juice comes from a liquid-cooled 36 kilowatt-hour battery with a claimed range of about 200 kilometers (120 miles). Look for a zero to 62 mph run of about 5 seconds and a top speed of 136 mph.
The third drivetrain uses the same motors and battery as the second but "two separate angular bevel gearboxes for independent rear wheel drive." The accelerates as quickly as the twin-motor model but the top speed is limited to 112 mph.
RUF is developing the vehicles with support from the German Federal Ministry of the Environment. We'll most likely see at least one of the cars at the Geneva auto show next month.
Photo: RUF Automobile
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