Photos: RUF's electric Porsche 911

By Rory Reid on 14 October 2008, 3:31pm

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Porsches aren't known for their eco-friendliness, but that could soon change if German modifier RUF Auto Centre has anything to with it. Bored with slapping outrageous bodykits on high-end motors, it's turned its hand to electric conversions, the latest of which features in a Porsche 911.

The eRUF Concept Model A 2008, to give it its full name, ditches the standard internal combustion engine for a 'three-phase AC motor' producing around 150kW -- or around 204hp in conventional terms. Not bad considering a petrol-driven Porsche 911 Carrera produces around the equivalent of 239kW.

An impressive 650nm of torque is available from the instant you hit the go pedal, and 0-60mph happens in "under 7 seconds". Electricity is provided by lithium-ion batteries that allow a range of 250-320km, depending on how fast you drive it. Recharge time is approximately 10 hours.

We like the sound of this, but we must admit a Porsche 911 isn't the first car we'd consider for an electric motor transplant. It weighs in the region of 1,910kg, which is about as much as a Ford Mondeo. Personally, we'd have stuck it in something like a Lotus Elise, which weighs 901kg -- literally a tonne less.

The eRUF Concept Model A 2008 is just a concept at present, but here's hoping RUF actually builds the thing. More pics over the page. -Rory Reid