Runge Cars is an extremely small custom car outfit based in Minnesota. It was started by Christopher Runge, who has made a name for himself and his vehicles with their spectacularly shiny and curvy hand-formed aluminum bodies, draped over mechanical components either from classic Porsches, or at least inspired by them. With each new model, the company has pushed its design and performance further, and its upcoming R3 will be a massive leap. Not only will it be a typically striking and lightweight machine, but it will be powered by a monster of a custom air-cooled flat-8.
The Engine Is Named Hetzer
Runge isn’t building this engine alone. It’s working with custom powertrain company Swindon Powertrain, as well as someone named Sol Snyderman that Runge refers to as an expert in air-cooled Porsche engines. Swindon Powertrain has a rather diverse background, developing both electric and combustion powertrains. It also has some experience with air-cooled Porsche engines, and it sells a four-valve-per-cylinder cylinder head conversion for Porsche M64 engines. That new top end is built to handle revs up to 12,000 rpm, so it could allow for some monster 911 builds.
Speaking of wild engines, let’s look at this flat-8, which Runge calls the Hetzer. In addition to having two more cylinders than a classic 911 engine, it has a whole lot more displacement at 5.3 liters. That’s as much as the base V8 in a Chevy Silverado 1500. Of course we’ve also touched on the engine being air-cooled, like other classic Porsche engines. It will also feature double-overhead cams, and with its oversquare pistons, it’s no surprise that it will have a redline of 9,000 rpm with an electronic limiter at 10,000.
There’s another really interesting aspect about this engine. It won’t be exclusive to the Runge R3. The company does get to have the first three made for its cars, but they will be available for other uses. The clear use the companies seem to have in mind, is for 911 engine swaps. Runge’s press release notes that the engine bolts directly into 911s with the M64 flat-six. Pricing hasn’t been set, but will surely be high, since the aforementioned cylinder head kit costs more than $30,000, and that’s only engine parts, not a complete one. Of course if the booming Porsche restomod business says anything, it’s that there are people willing to drop enormous cash on classic Porsches.
A Look At The R3
Based on renderings that Runge has released, the R3 may be the most modern-looking vehicle to come out of the company. It seems to take much inspiration from Group C Le Mans cars with a low, wedge-shaped nose, slab sides, high-mounted mirrors, and an integrated rear wing. The cockpit looks snug and the diver seat moved as close to the middle as possible, and itty-bitty butterfly doors allow access. The design is also driven by the fact that the engine will sit in the middle, powering the rear wheels. Runge says it will have a six-speed manual, and that it will be unbelievably light at just 1,720 pounds. Even without power numbers, we know this will scoot. Also, like the engine, no pricing has been given, but we’re sure R3s will be expensive due to their hand-crafted nature and limited numbers. Odds are, the number won’t even matter. If you have the money and you want one, you’ll buy it, period. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to order one, Runge Cars will start taking orders later this year, and it should have more specifications around that time.
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