5.3L Flat-Eight Honors the Spirit of Air-Cooled Performance
We’re living in an era where internal combustion’s death and demise is not that uncommon a topic. But a small shop in Minnesota said, “Hold my beer.” Someone decided that a flat-eight needs to be part of 21st-century motoring, and we’re here for it. You’ve probably never heard of Runge Cars, but the outfit just announced its all-new air-cooled 5.3L flat-eight engine—the Hetzer.
Blending modern tech and old-school design, the air-cooled flat-eight features dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, 12:1 compression, but redlines at 9,000 rpm with a cut-off at 10,000 revs. Although specs remain under wraps, Car and Driver reckons the flat-eight should put out close to 600 horsepower. That’s a decent amount over the motorsport-derived flat-six 911 GT3. What’s more, the business claims direct bolt-in compatibility with air-cooled Porsche 911 platforms.
Christopher Runge, the company founder, said, “Working with the engineers at Swindon Powertrain and air-cooled specialist Sol Snyderman, we’ve combined modern technology with old-world craftsmanship to create something truly unique. It’s an engine that not only pushes boundaries but fits seamlessly into the legacy of air-cooled performance.”
Powers The Runge R3
The fun doesn’t end with just the engine. Runge Cars take bespoke motoring to a whole new level. Alongside the flat-eight, Runge also announced its R3 mid-engined supercar that weighs just 1,720 pounds. And yes, it gets the full three-pedal experience with a six-speed manual transmission.
It took seven years to develop the car, and the design evidently carries over the neo-retro ethos. According to Runge, the company took inspiration from mid-century racecars, but modernised the idea. Not much has been disclosed, including price. However, these will be revealed in the coming months. Runge will begin taking orders for the flat-eight engine and R3 later this year.
One thing’s certain, though—they won’t be cheap. Runge has over fifteen years of experience with hand-built cars. They’re small-volume builds and look really expensive. The Minnesota shop already has a 2.4L DOHC flat-four in their stable, but it costs north of $250,000. In the world of Runge, perfection doesn’t come cheap—it’s the price you pay for exclusivity, craftsmanship, and engineering obsession.
