A Small American Brand is Creating a Supercar Featuring a New 5.3L Air-Cooled Flat-Eight Engine | Carscoops

      Runge's new engine is designed to fit into air-cooled 911 platforms as well.

      **Published 7 hours ago**

      **By Brad Anderson**

      Runge’s R3 boasts a 5.3L air-cooled flat-eight engine that can rev up to 9,000 rpm.

      This handcrafted sports car aims to provide a tangible, analog driving experience.

      With an output of approximately 600 hp, it surpasses Porsche’s 4.0 flat-six by nearly 100 hp.

      You might not be familiar with Runge Cars, a small company based in Minnesota known for its unique approach, but it's time to take notice. This modest manufacturer has just unveiled something that might make Porsche's engineers think twice: a 5.3-liter, naturally aspirated, air-cooled flat-eight designed for their new mid-engined R3 sports car.

      The company, recognized for its bespoke vehicles over the last fifteen years, is raising its ambitions with the R3, a model meant to display its craftsmanship.

      **In Pursuit of the Analog**

      Engineered to “provide the most visceral, analog driving experience available today,” the R3 promises the kind of excitement that is becoming increasingly rare in contemporary cars. Central to this experience is an engine that is unlike any currently produced in the United States.

      Created in partnership with Swindon Powertrain and air-cooled expert Sol Snyderman, the flat-eight engine, dubbed the Hetzer, features four valves per cylinder, dual overhead camshafts, and a compression ratio of 12:1. It's designed to reach 9,000 rpm and, according to Runge, “revives like a race engine.”

      While Runge has not released official horsepower and torque figures for the vehicle, Car and Driver estimates it could offer up to 600 hp, nearly 100 hp more than Porsche's current flagship 4.0-liter flat-six engine.

      Additionally, this flat-eight is reportedly compact enough to be installed in air-cooled 911s.

      Every R3 will feature this engine paired exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission that drives the rear wheels. The car is expected to weigh only 780 kg (1,719 lbs) and sports a design reminiscent of classic endurance race cars.

      With a series of detailed renderings already shared, the R3 displays a low front end, circular headlights, and a small front grille. It also appears to have a compact cockpit with wing mirrors positioned high on the A-pillars and a large, curved rear wing.

      Pricing has yet to be revealed for both the vehicle and the engine, but the level of craftsmanship suggests that exclusivity is a given. Production numbers are likely to be limited, which is fitting for a vehicle made with such purpose.