911 Turbo

Make
Porsche
Segment
Coupe

Generally, we're of the mind that "you like what you like," and that cars are like religion. Just because you like something doesn't mean you've got to tell everyone. This time, we're going to have to make an exception. The exception comes in the form of what is arguably the best-specced Porsche 911 Turbo we've seen in quite some time.

Except that it's not really a 911 Turbo. Instead, it was built by German tuning lunatics, RUF. If you're out of the loop on RUF, go look up "Faszination on the Nurburgring" on YouTube, then circle back when you've been schooled on what the company is about. While we're on the subject, this 2015 RUF RT12 R is a pretty good example of what RUF is about, and it's up for auction.

The auction in question is the Mecum's Indy 2022 auction, which runs from 13-21 May. The RT12 R in question has been painted in a killer shade of dark green with yellow calipers and features a matching green plaid interior. Houndstooth is so yesterday. While the interior is decidedly retro, the specs certainly don't reflect that.

Most of the thirteen RUF RT12s that were made started life as AWD Porsche 911 Turbos. This one, however, is RWD only - one of two in this spec. It was previously shown at the Petersen Automotive Museum. RUF took the existing 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six from a 996 Turbo, bored it to 3.8 liters, tossed some Mahle pistons and a cast intake manifold, and then threw gobs of power into it. In total, it makes 730 hp and 693 lb-ft of twist - exceeding GT2 RS outputs (700 hp/553 lb-ft).

To keep all that power on the ground and under control, RUF's yellow brake calipers cover carbon-ceramic rotors while a 997 GT3 RS wing stands proudly on the rear deck. Just under that wing sit some big, fat intakes to feed those twin turbos. There's also coilover suspension to help keep it all planted.

Scarily, all that is controlled via a six-speed manual transmission hooked up to a single-mass flywheel. Presumably, that flywheel means turbo lag is not a concern. The color of your pants at the car's 230 mph top speed, however, might be. The last time one of these sold, it sold on Bring A Trailer for a cool $910,000. Given that car was this car's RWD twin, we're expecting the same money. Unless one of you is able to replicate Faszination on the Nürburgring with it. Then we'll buy it for you.