Ruf, the specialist tuner famous for taking Porsches and making them even faster, has unveiled the eRUF - thought to be the world's first all-electric 911.

Apart from the unusual slatted front and rear skirts, the eRUF looks much like any other 997-generation 911; but the flat six rumble has gone, replaced by, well, silence.

Of course, Tesla has already taken the 'first electric sports car' trophy with its excellent Roadster, so we already pretty much know what to expect, but the eRUF boasts some impressive stats nonetheless - as well as the kudos of being wrapped in a 911 body shell.

All 479lb.ft of torque is available from standstill, so response will be instant as the 150kW (201bhp) motor takes the eRUF from 0-62mph in 'under seven seconds'. In fact, Ruf claims the motor is so strong that the car can pull away in sixth gear.

Top speed is 160mph, and its range is between 155 and 200 miles, depending on how heavy your right foot is.

The eRUF uses lithium-ion batteries - the same as those used in the Tesla - which can be fully charged from empty in 10 hours, though they're in constant development and Ruf hopes to improve on that figure. Hopefully they'll get lighter too: the batteries are responsible for over a quarter of the eRUF's near two-tonne kerb weight.

Still, Ruf owner Alois Ruf happens to own a handful of emissions-free hydroelectric power plants, which means the eRUF can be charged using clean energy if you live nearby.

There's no word on whether the eRUF will make production yet, or what it will cost if it does, but it seems that a guilt-free Porsche is closer than you think.

Mark Nichol - 15 Oct 2008