Automotive
Ruf has never been afraid to do things its own way, and its latest Goodwood Festival of Speed reveal proves that point beautifully. The German performance manufacturer has introduced a new twin-turbocharged flat-eight engine called the B8, a rare and fascinating boxer layout that pushes well beyond the flat-six formula most people associate with Ruf and Porsche-based performance machines.
The new B8 displaces 4.8 liters and produces more than 1,000 horsepower and 737 pound-feet of torque, according to Ruf. Internally referred to as “Erprober,” which translates to “Tester,” the engine is still in prototype form, but it is already one of the most interesting combustion-engine developments in the high-performance world. In an era where electrification is dominating the headlines, a new in-house flat-eight from Ruf feels almost rebellious in the best possible way.
For now, the B8 lives inside a modified Ruf CTR3 prototype. The mid-engine test car has been stretched by 3.9 inches to make room for the new powerplant, and the engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission. That last detail is worth appreciating. A 1,000-plus-horsepower twin-turbo flat-eight with a manual gearbox is not exactly common these days, and it gives this development car the kind of mechanical drama that enthusiasts still crave.
The CTR3 prototype also wears a special livery inspired by the Blossom Yellow shade that helped make Ruf’s 1987 CTR “Yellowbird” a legend. That car famously hit 211 mph and became one of the defining performance icons of its era, cementing Ruf’s reputation as far more than a tuner. The new graphics on the B8 test car also nod to the eight-cylinder layout, giving the prototype a subtle but meaningful link between Ruf’s past and its future.
Ruf says the B8 is not ready for production just yet, but it is being used as a testbed for technologies that will shape a future model. That leaves plenty of room for speculation, especially considering how serious Ruf appears to be about developing the engine entirely in-house. If this flat-eight eventually reaches a customer car, it could become one of the most distinctive combustion-powered machines of the decade.
The B8-powered CTR3 will run up the Goodwood Hillclimb during the Supercar Run, with Tanner Foust behind the wheel. For anyone lucky enough to be at Goodwood, it should be one of the more memorable sounds of the weekend. For the rest of us, it is worth keeping an eye on the livestream, because hearing a new 1,000-horsepower Ruf flat-eight at full song is not something that happens often.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
