RUF Automobile GmbH, whether offering its a-la-carte modification regimen or hand-crafting astonishing sports cars from bodies-in-white or on bespoke chassis, has always paired incredible engineering with demanding build standards unrivaled by similar firms in the global marketplace.

Within just six years of incorporation, the German government had taken notice of the superior quality of RUF’s operation, upgrading the company’s legal standing from an aftermarket tuning house to an official automobile manufacturer in 1981. This is an exceptionally incredible fact when one considers that RUF earned this recognition during the height of the German tuning industry—when just about every wealthy German was starting an aftermarket business modifying cars. Since the release of their first automobile in 1983, RUF has refined each successive generation of Porsche-based products to the limits of perfection.

In November 2004, RUF debuted their first entirely house-built automobile, the Rt12. Developed from the ground up and using exclusive and proprietary powertrain components, at first glance its Porsche roots were obvious. However, have a closer look and you will discover that the Rt12 is an entirely different beast. The Rt12, built on the wider (and modified) body shell of Porsche’s 997-generation Carrera, represents no less than the sensational summit of the small-but-noble RUF product pyramid.

The first distinction is the Rt12’s powerplant, a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six based on an earlier “Metzger” blueprint. This engine is mated to a RUF-built transaxle and limited-slip rear differential, routing down all 685 horsepower in “S” specification through massive 12.5-inch-wide rear tires. A proprietary and fully adjustable RUF hydraulic suspension system (with front axle lift function) underpins the car’s chassis, while braking is handled by a set of eight-piston (front) and four-piston (rear) calipers tucked inside RUF five-spoke wheels. To further maximize weight savings, the Rt12’s bumpers, hood, and rear decklid are all rendered in carbon fiber.

An integrated roll cage is cleverly hidden behind the sumptuously appointed interior trim, and the cabin is further outfitted with all the amenities one would expect from a road-going Porsche of the most refined variety. When equipped with the optional “tall” gearing package and four-wheel drive, RUF company literature reports that the Rt12 could reach a top speed in excess of 224 miles per hour.

As shown on the accompanying RUF Zertifikat, this exemplary Rt12 S was completed at the Pfaffenhausen factory and delivered in December 2010 finished with Basaltblack Metallic paint over a Dark Grey Alcantara interior. As shown on the vehicle information sheet, this RUF is fitted with special equipment including chrome badges, ParkAssistent, chrome kickplates, HomeLink, automatic dimming mirrors, and a Hydraulic Lifting-System. Additionally, a registration document on file confirms the car was first owned by a resident of Germany. Sparingly used over the years, just 513 miles are shown on the odometer at the time of cataloguing, and as a result, the car shows in remarkable condition both inside and out. A road safety kit, owner’s books, RUF Zertifikat, and vehicle information sheet will accompany this RUF upon purchase.

The opportunity to acquire any RUF Rt12 S is unlikely to repeat itself with any regularity. Very few examples were produced, and well-sorted ones rarely come up for sale on account of their splendid drivability. With its subtle appearance and exceptionally low mileage, this particular example is one not to be missed. It would be an awesome accompaniment to any serious collection of modern Porsches or European sports cars.