Things all started out quite simply.

There was a man who became particularly fascinated with the fast sports cars from Zuffenhausen.

And there the dream to build the fastest car in the world.

Jan Fatthauer is this man, who founded his own company as an extension of his passion for the Porsche brand and to turn his dream of ultimate speed into a reality.

Die 9ff Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH in Dortmund

No one can build the fastest car simply by deciding to do so, however. Basic knowledge is required to establish the foundation for such an ambitious goal. Mr. Fatthauer did just this by completing a degree program in automotive engineering. As an engineer, he then worked at recognized tuners for several years.

In 2001, it all finally came together as Jan Fatthauer founded 9ff Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH in Dortmund. Now there was nothing to stop him from setting new records.

In May 2004, Jan reached 372 km/h (approx. 233 mph) with his 9ff T6, which was taken to its top speed at the Nardo Ring race track in Nardo, Italy. 9ff could then proudly claim that it had the "fastest Porsche in Nardo".

In December of that year, Jan found himself back on the same track. This time, he drove the 9ff V400 up to 388 km/h (approx. 243 mph) and thus piloted the fastest street-legal car in the world. A dream had come true. His work was not finished, however, since the magical mark of 400 km/h was still waiting to be beat.

To this end, 9ff built the fastest street-legal convertible ever and the fastest car powered by alternative fuel.

In September 2006, the open 9ff TRC-85 sped up to 380.5 km/h (approx. 238 mph) to become – you guessed it – the fastest street-legal convertible made.

The top-speed record for cars powered by alternative fuel was awarded for the 9ff CT78, which traveled 347 km/h (approx. 217 mph) in October 2008. The fuel used was environmentally-friendly bioethanol. Unlike other record-setting cars from 9ff, this vehicle was not based on the classic Porsche 911 series, but on the Porsche Cayman.

Although his primary focus is to pursue new levels of power and shatter existing records, Jan has not forgotten about the importance of protecting the environment and using ever-dwindling natural resources as efficiently as possible. In collaboration with German television station "VOX" and the producers of the "auto motor und sport tv" program, 9ff re-engineered a standard Golf V with a 1.9-liter turbodiesel engine to become even more efficient by consuming an average of 3 liters per 100 km (approx. 78 miles per gallon).

One goal did remain: to break through the 400 km/h barrier in a street-legal car. Here, too, things had to be done the 9ff way. This time, tuning was not enough. Instead, an entirely new machine was built.  The concept of the 9ff GT9 was developed by Jan himself, then engineered and refined, trialed, and thoroughly tested. When the GT9 project was completed, 9ff received recognition as an independent manufacturer from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority as well as a dedicated range of VINs, reserved in advance.

On April 10th, 2008, the big moment arrived and the 9ff GT9 screamed to 409 km/h (approx. 256 mph) according to official measurements (confirmed by the GPS) and under the gaze of the international press. Once again, a 9ff became the fastest street-legal car in the world.

The relentless pursuit of new records is not an end in itself, however. Without knowledge, experience, hands-on know-how, and absolute attention to detail, this goal could never have been achieved. In addition, the components used are the same ones that are fitted in the custom-tailored conversions for 9ff customers. 9ff's tuning program includes engine outputs in excess of 1,000 horsepower. Very few tuners ever push the envelope this far, which alone makes 9ff a unique company. Adding to this are two truly exceptional characteristics:

1. Cars tuned by 9ff have very good handling and are easy to drive every day. They are not machines that can only be used on the race track – unless the customer specifies otherwise. In fact, the press continues to be amazed when they see 9ff competition vehicles being driven on public roads to high-speed events and test runs. A 9ff TR1000 tuned to over 1,000 horsepower, for example, was not trucked, but driven all the way to Nardò in October 2009, a distance measuring some 2,500 km (approx. 1,563 miles). It almost goes without saying that 9ff had the quickest car at the event. And, as you might expect, it was driven all the way back afterwards! "Auto Bild sportscar" (1/2010 issue) put it succinctly: “Nothing has changed; 9ff continues to show up with the fastest car on the track.“
2. Engines tuned by 9ff typically last as long as the standard units. This should not be taken lightly by any means. After all, the final power output can be more than twice that of what Porsche offers, depending on the tuning package chosen. The only way that both of these conflicting goals can be met is to ensure absolute precision in construction and by applying comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge. In the process, exhaustive trials and tests are conducted under the most brutal conditions, with countless miles driven, and state-of-the-art technology is integrated together with the best materials and components. Only by adopting a holistic approach can a comparable level of durability be achieve.

Customer requirements enjoy top priority at 9ff. The first question that must be answered before work begins is how the customer intends to use his or her vehicle. Will the focus be on top speed, circuit times, or acceleration? The target application is critical, since it defines how output, gear ratios, the chassis, the brakes, and aerodynamics need to be set up and coordinated with each other. Numerous measures for reducing weight, such as replacing the doors, roof, and hood with lighter components, as well as rigorous weight-saving measures for the interior, are also part of the 9ff program.

Power and performance are just one side of 9ff, however. Aesthetics and individuality are important as well, which is why the company offers a wide variety of options for customizing almost all Porsche models. Starting with 9ff alloy wheels, customers can further enhance their car by opting for a full aerodynamics kit and even order a special interior.

As 2009 drew to a close, the Speed9 was unveiled, the second car built by 9ff from the ground up. Another of Jan's visions, the Speed9 is a classic roadster that features a lower windshield and clean, horizontal lines. It is reminiscent of the legendary Porsche 356/1 500S Speedster from 1955 and the 911 Speedster (1989) and 964 Speedster (1993), which were manufactured in limited numbers.

Meanwhile, the GT9 continues to tread new ground. In GT9-R trim, customers can choose between 750, 987, and 1,120 horsepower for their super sports car. Should you decide to call this exotic your own, you will need to act fast – only 20 of them will be made. Each vehicle is built to the exact specifications of the buyer and is thus one of a kind.

2009 not only saw the spectacular revelation of the Speed9; Jan and his team also set two additional records.

With a verified top speed of 311 km/h (approx. 194 mph), the Volkswagen TH2RS bus from tuner Sven Thomsen took the title for "fastest van". 9ff Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH provided technological assistance and developed and supplied the engine and transmission. Those who are familiar with the physical constraints posed by air resistance and how it affects handling and straight-line performance will have some idea of the high level of engineering that was required to design and build an engine that could propel such a vehicle to these speeds.

Not to be outdone, the 9ff TR1000 became the fastest Porsche 911 in the world just two weeks later. Taken to the racing circuit in Papenburg, the car ran 392 km/h. No other 911 before it covered more ground in less time.

Fans of Jan Fatthauer know all too well that he never becomes complacent. In early 2010, 9ff introduced the twin-turbocharged version of the new Porsche GT3 and the Porsche GT3RS.  9ff GTurbo models are available with 750, 850, and 1,000 horsepower. The initial performance upgrades for the new direct-injection Porsche Turbo have also already been engineered and incorporated into the company's product portfolio.

Challenges have been taken up in 2010 as well, with many events and press dates already noted and plans made. 9ff will continue to make headlines. Stay tuned!