New Roadster from Porsche experts Ruf

This is the latest offering from Porsche tinkerers, Ruf. It's a 911, it's inspired by the rather smashing 1967 Targa and to us it looks a bit... weird.

The theory behind the original Targa (Italian for "plate", fact fans) was actually a bit Health and Safety; build a 911 that lets drivers feel the wind where their hair should be, but with the rollover protection of a coupe. In short, a semi-ragtop with a great big roll bar.

Much like the original, the Ruf effort has a stainless roll bar thing, removable roof panel above it and a removable plastic panel behind it. But times have changed since '67 - the Roadster has an "aerodynamically optimized" lower rear window and two light, removable roof-halves made from carbon fibre. The "soft" rear window is made of a three-layer polyglass and an electric motor keeps it tight to the stainless bar.

This means the roof's got four modes: completely enclosed, completely open, or closed roof and open rear window, or open roof and closed rear window. Snazzy.

What about the power? It's available with either 400hp flat-six engine or a 560hp turbo (though there is talk of some electric variants joining the fray). The standard ‘box is a six-speed effort, and you can spec a dual clutch gearbox and four-wheel drive. The rather handsome 19-inch forged alloys are standard.

So, how much for such distinct Porschery we hear you crow? Well, it's not what you call cheap. It is what you'd call £190,000 including VAT. And that's what you'd call the price of a Lamborghini LP 570-4 Spyder Performante...

What would you rather, TopGear.commers?

Now have a look at some more recent efforts from the German tuner

Then watch James May drive his Porsche 911 to the Top Gear test track