Tag Archives: vehicles

1989 RUF CTR ‘Yellowbird’ sold for $6,055,000

Between 1987 and 1996, German automobile manufacturer Ruf Automobile built, from scratch, just 29 examples of the CTR Yellowbird, and one recently sold for $6,055,000 USD.

This CTR Yellowbird was produced in 1989 and is one of only nine CTRs originally finished in Definitive Blutengelb (Blossom Yellow). It is based on the narrow-bodied 911 Carrera 3.2 to keep aerodynamic drag and weight to a minimum. The original body parts were replaced by lightweight aluminum panels, which reduced the car’s weight by over 180 kg. Rain gutters have also been removed, the rear wheel arches have been widened to accommodate 17″ Speedline alloy wheels, aerodynamic side mirrors and special front and rear bumpers made of lightweight composite materials have been installed.

The car is in excellent condition, and during three decades the first owner kept it in a climate-controlled storage facility and maintained it regularly. It was registered for the first time in 2020 and sold to a new owner in the United States and has not driven a single kilometer since then. At the time of cataloguing, the odometer displayed just 1,673 km. It is equipped with an optional Leichtbau equipment package that includes aluminum front fenders, a leather-wrapped Matter aluminum roll cage, fire bottle, and Recaro racing bucket seats with shoulder harnesses.

When it comes to the powertrain, the CTR Yellowbird is powered by an air-cooled 3.4-L twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine with a Bosch motronic fuel injection, that delivers 463 hp at 5,950 rpm and 408 lb-ft of torque at 5,100 rpm. The engine is mated to an ultra-rare six-speed RUF manual gearbox.

Along with the car, the new owner received a tool kit, jack, tire inflator, roadside emergency equipment, and owner’s handbook folio, which contains the owner’s manual, warranty book, and literature relating to the Blaupunkt radio and Recaro seats, RUF Zertifikat, Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, and a copy of the original sales invoice.

Source: Gooding & Company

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Audi R8 is coming back as plug-in hybrid

In March 2024, Audi announced that it would officially end production of its popular sports car R8, after 18 years and two generations. However, some reports suggest that the R8 could return as a plug-in hybrid.

According to Autocar, a third-generation R8 is in development and will be based on the same platform as the Lamborghini Temerario, with which it will also share an aluminum chassis, electronics and powertrain. This resolves the dilemma that arose earlier, that the replacement for the R8 could be an all-electric car.

The Temerario is powered by a 4.0-L V8 twin-turbo engine with 800 hp (596 kW) and 538 lb-ft (730 Nm) of torque combined with three electric motors, for a total output of over 900 hp (671 kW). The engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

At the end of 2023, Audi introduced the R8 Coupe Japan Final Edition as the last edition of this sports car, officially marking the end of its production. It is powered by a 5.2-L naturally aspirated V10 engine with 612 hp (456 kW) and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque. The same engine powers the R8 V10 GT RWD, but this version has a seven-speed S-tronic transmission that sends power to all wheels.

The arrival of the new Audi R8 is expected in 2027, and fans of this model are now wondering if the German brand will produce a racing version, as was the case with previous generations.

Source: Autocar

Volkswagen may soon launch the ID.1 GTI

The VW ID.2 GTI will be launched in 2026, but some reports suggest that the German manufacturer is also developing a smaller and more powerful hatchback. Volkswagen board member Kai Gunitz has revealed that the company is considering the production of the ID.1 GTI model.

In an interview with Autocar, Kai Gunitz said that there is a possibility for the ID.1 GTI because it uses modules from the MEB platform, but that it depends on the customer reaction to the ID.2 GTI. “We also have the ID.Every1 and the ID.2all, which will get a GTI version. Having everything in the ID.1 means that you don’t need to have everything in the ID.2. The ID.2 is bigger and has many more features and values. The same goes for the Polo and Up! models. We’ll see,” Gunitz said.

Both models will use the same MEB Entry platform and will be powered by a single electric motor and will have front-wheel drive. Currently, the options listed are the 95 hp electric motor that powers the ID.Every1, but also the more powerful 231 hp electric motor in the ID.2all model, which is considered a better option.

Of course, the ID.1 GTI would also get many improvements compared to the standard version, since it is a sports car. This would include a sporty redesign, bumpers, deeper sills, a rear spoiler and a new set of wheels.

The ID.2 GTI will succeed the Polo GTI model that will soon be discontinued, while the ID.1 GTI should succeed the sporty version of the Up! model.

Source: Autocar