I hear there are only 2 in the UK, so are there many in the US?

 

As of ~ 18 months ago, there are five 955 RUF Dakaras in the USA - one 570 HP and four 550 HP. I have the 2nd 550 produced ... all work done by RUF Auto Centre in Dallas, Texas.

Just released at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, the 957 Dakara is now (will be) available. Just like RUF used Studio Torino for the RK Spyder and RK Coupe, RUF outsourced/subcontracted the 957 Dakara project to Platune Design. Platune is or owns RENNtech ... same physical location in Florida.

 

So what makes it qualify as a Dakara? I have the full set of upgrades from 05 when the car was converted, but surely the Dakara label is only for Ruf VIN cars?

 

The 955 Dakara, like the Turbo R and R Turbo, can be conversions - non RUF VIN cars.

See this link and this link.

What "upgrades" do you have? Besides the engine conversion, I have the sport exhaust (best sounding exhaust on a 955 I've heard to-date) and 22" RUF wheels (which are being repaired at the moment). I'm trying to source the front spoiler but they are hard to come by. I was going to make my own RUF pedals but now they are being offered. I'm glad they now have the RUF steering wheel air bag as well as the badge. I'm going to upgrade the brakes through a Brembo source. Time to make some calls.

 

Hi Norman, I have all the options on the Swedish site you linked. No pedals or splitter though - they aren't even listed on the German site?

Spec is:

Ruf 550 engine kit
Ruf Exhaust
Ruf Brake Conversion
Ruf Lowering Kit
Ruf Wheels
Ruf Dash Inlays

 

p.s. that is the Ruf brake conversion. No cost option to have Porsche logos on instead of Ruf which the buyer must have requested.

 

Dan - love the blue ... is it Lapis Blue?

Did you have the vehicle before the brakes were upgraded to the 380 mm 6-piston Brembos? I want to know the difference (stopping power, fading, etc) between the 380 mm and the stock 355 mm 6-piston Brembos.

What RUF interior bits are you talking about (other than the instrument cluster)?

 

Here are a couple of pics of my Dakara ... with 22" RUFs and 20" OZ Canyons - I'm using Pirelli Scorpion Zeros with both types of wheels.

 

Your car looks great in silver. Must be the US sunshine as I'm not a fan of silver in the UK. Funny how different colours of sun affect things like colour!

My car is indeed Lapis. Not an obvious colour choice but looks surprisingly good I think. The only interior change on my car is the instrument cluster inlay - not sure where I referred to other interior mods?

I bought the car converted so can't compare to the old brakes. Seems to stop pretty well for something of it's size, but haven't driven it much in anger yet. You can still feel the weight of the vehicle so I tend to drive with a lot of anticipation rather than hauling it down hard very often. I'm under the impression that the Ruff brake conversion uses some of the same parts as the Turbo S brakes? At least that's what my porsche dealer thought when I got them to take a look.

Do you know anything about how the Ruf lowering module works? I didn't get any instructions with it, so not even sure what effect it has and when it has it. There is no extra button as you would see with the techart lowering module.

 

I have a RUF modified cayenne turbo. My car is a 2005 model cayenne turbo with the factory powerkit (includes larger brakes), which DYNOed at 590PS at RUF's factory in Pfaffenhausen. I also have RUF green dials and RUF electronic lowering module. My wheels are 22" gemballa racing in matt black, and my car also has a Techart exterior carbon package (window trim, wing mirrors, door handles all in carbon fibre)

I love the car, it has been my project car for a while now and I feel that with the modifications I have done to it,it is totally unique.

Just saw the new Dakara at geneva and it was awesome looking. I didnt like the interior that much though....

 

So John yours must be the other UK car then. Can you tell me the specifics of what the lowering module we have does? Does it just drop all the settings a fixed amount or do something more dynamic based on speed?

Were you at a VMax event in yours?

 

Hi Dan,

yes, I have been to several Vmax events in mine, and as I recall I am the current SUV record holder with 168 MPH!!

the lowering module just drops all the settings by a specified amount (in my case 50mm) nothing more dynamic, but the car drops itself anyway above a certain speed, and the module doesnt interfere with that as it could be dangerous.

Best thing about it though is the sound....when I'm blasting along at the top of 2nd, it sounds like a bomb going off..!! And you can feel the torque trying to rip out the chassis..!!

 

Wonder if mine just lowers by the same amount then. Did you get to choose? No specifics on the invoice.

They do sound great don't they. One of my mates with a CSL had a ride with you at vmax I think. Said it was tipping down with rain!

 

Sorry Charlie (John), but I believe the current SUV high-speed record holder goes to the Sportec SP600M - 308.45 KM/HR with Toyo Proxes tires. Are you just talking about the Vmax event only?

168 miles per hour is still very fast. I believe RUF quotes 177 miles per hour for the 550 package. On a closed course (of course), I've gone 140 mph.

I agree about the RUF sport exhaust ... exhilarating sound from idle to "OMG - my foot has gone through the floor-board".

 

Vmax is just a meeting organised on a UK car forum.

Ruf are apparently very much low balling the top speed of the 550 car as there was an article in road and track saying it touched 189.2 on a vbox when Alois was driving. One of the guys who was on that trip (Erik from Ruf Sweden) told me the story first hand on another forum. http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....&page_number=2