212 mph Ruf Porsche + Autobahn!

[Antoine]

The History Channel had a "Modern Marvels" segment on the autobahn. They began with footage of this test driver for Ruf (german tuner of Porsches). It was one of the great moments in cable history...the driver casually enters the autobahn and you can see the surrounding environment pass by at 90......120.....180...200....212...and that was with 2 history channel crew members on board!

Ive been on the autobahn when I was very littleall I remember were scary Benzs speeding by and Porsche police cars.

I would like to have an American autobahn but I think Americans lack the driving discipline to keep it within safe levelsthe Germans can do itthey say its actually safer then American interstates (fatality rate or something is lower).

Interesting...

 

[20ESGUY]

This is true...the autobhan's got twice the amount of traction wet that our roads in the US have dry, besides the fact for one pothole they'll tear up like 10 foot around it and replace the whole section of road not just use a filler.

 

[FuNwaGoN]

Boy oh boy do I miss the Autobahn. I lived in germany for almost a year when I was 18 doing an apprenticeship through school with Mercedes Benz. I lived in Berlin but worked at a factory(more like it's own city) in Ludwigsfielde. It was about 30 min from my place in Berlin. Well since my accomadations were so far away I was given a C36 AMG Mercedes to drive. Boy was that car fun. it had a 5 speed instead of the usual Mercedes automatic. I drove that car on a daily basis on the autobahn. I actually used to go a longer way to work because the speed limit was higher on that road. It is important to note that the only places that have unlimited speed are the highways that run between big cities. Anywhere around the city there is a speed limit just like here in the states. I also had an opportunity to drive a 96 Porsche 928 GTS and ride in a 96 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo on this one particular straight stretch and so I can say that 180mph on the autobahn is definitly a different experience. Yes I did 180 in the 928! WOW. Boy were they stupid to let me drive all of those cars. Just an interesting side note. While I was there our factory was deemed as a test facility becuase of our surrounding roads for the at the time new E-Class (When the 4 headlights first came out. ) These cars were covered in tape and cardboard and other stuff to mask their appearence. Also saw drawings for the now current CLK and CL. I worked in the design shop for a little while. Well just thought I would share. I can't wait to go back which I do quite often as my sister lives 1 hour south of Amsterdam. Also I am going on a trip to Italy to go skiing in Jan. Not sure if I can but would be interesting to see what parts I could pick up while I was there. they have these like super tuner shops in Germany and Europe caled D&W that have parts for every type of car made and have nude and half clothed models everywhere. Their Catalogs are like 2000 pages and are better than your best wet dream. Filled with sweet cars and car parts from Mercedes and Porsche to Fiat and VW with Playboy like models and foldouts. they are like $30 but well worth it.

 

[Todd]

This is true...the autobhan's got twice the amount of traction wet that our roads in the US have dry, besides the fact for one pothole they'll tear up like 10 foot around it and replace the whole section of road not just use a filler.

Are the roads made with something else to provide this extra traction??

 

[20ESGUY]

Honestly I can't remember what the surface is, I remember in a Discovery channel special they had on it awhile back that statement was made. Personally I can believe it after talking to a buddy of mine who's stationed over in Germany now. He said the roads are smooth as ice...no bumps jolts or fills. Where I live a smooth road is considered one thats only got asphalt drips to fill the cracks, the crown is in the center, and the man hole covers only sit about 1/8" up off the road.

 

[big_ben]

Yeah I saw that last night too. That was awesome!

Are the roads made with something else to provide this extra traction??

No, they are 27" thick so they wont crack. They don't have more traction, they are just smoother because they don't crack. They are made of concrete, which if finished right has the most traction of all road surfaces. You would think it was asphalt that has the most traction, but I learned in one of my civil engineering classes that it's concrete. But it has to be finished right.

 

[LinuxRacr]

Damn, I had plans to watch this, but I totally forgot! Is there gonna be a re-run of this anytime soon?

 

[LinuxRacr]

For some intersting info on the Autobahn, go to the official website.

 

[trakker15]

i was watching that and they didnt show how fast they could of gotten that yellow RUF 911 goin. imagine crankin at 120 in a P5 and a porsche goes by u goin 190 amazing.

 

[Antoine]

i was watching that and they didnt show how fast they could of gotten that yellow RUF 911 goin.

They said it topped out at 212 mph with 3 people on board (1 driver + 2 crew members).

I believe they said it was upgraded from 400+ (stock) to 500+ hp...including many other exterior, suspension and engine related mods.

 

[trakker15]

i thought the one they topped out was the blue from the mid 90's that came from london. the yellow one they just showed during the clips never really opened it up

 

[Antoine]

The yellow one was for a customer in London...and the test driver had to find out what the top speed was before they sent it back to the customer (company policy).

I don't remember seeing a blue one...hmmm