RUF Rodeo: A Rugged Turbocharged Homage To The Wild West

With 600+ hp on tap and purpose-built hardware, the high-riding Rodeo combines supercar performance with rough-road capability

by Amrit Balraj on August 20, 2024, 09:30

Back in 2020 RUF Automobiles introduced us to the Rodeo concept, an off-road project that looked like a beefed-up old-school 911. At the time it was just an idea that the company wanted to test the waters with. We finally got the real deal - a Signal Orange Rodeo that debuted at this year’s Monterey Car Week. We have already seen Singer’s off-road-centric Porsche restomod they named the ACS (All-Terrain Competition Study), and this is RUF’s take on the same idea.

People have been building off-road Porsches called Safaris for decades, and Porsche themselves have built some exemplary models through the brand’s rich motorsport history. The iconic victory of Vic Elford in the 1968 Monte Carlo Rally, driving a specially prepared 911 T, marked a pivotal moment in the history books of rally racing. Porsche developed the all-wheel-drive system for the 959 supercar, honed through a series of dominant 911 rally prototypes that conquered the grueling Paris-Dakar Rally in 1984. The 911 Dakar was created as an homage to these cars, and RUF now has put its spin on the classic off-road legends of old.

The RUF Rodeo Is Built For The Outdoor Adventure Lifestyle

RUF Rodeo: A Rugged Turbocharged Homage To The Wild West storyboard - image 191027

	2025 RUF Rodeo
Motor	3.6-liter turbocharged flat-six
Horsepower	610 HP
Torque	516 Lb-Ft
Transmission	6-speed manual
Top Speed	155 MPH
Weight	2756 Pounds
Price	$1,250,000

Built as a brand-new car from the ground up, the Rodeo is a RUF Automotive Special through and through. RUF has developed the Rodeo to be your next camper Porsche and equipped it for going hard off the pavement:

Water-cooled, rear-mounted 3.6-liter turbocharged engine developed in-house with aluminum head and block with a dry sump lubrication system
A 6-speed manual transmission that sends power to all 4 wheels through limited slip differentials using RUF’s proprietary AWD system
Carbon-fiber monocoque with an integrated steel roll cage and carbon fiber body panels
Double wishbone suspension with horizontal pushrod dampers on both rear and front axles, with 9.5 inches of ground clearance
RUF Carbon-ceramic braking system
18-inch center locking wheels wrapped in custom 235/55R-18 Goodyear All-Terrain tires
RUF Ceramic brakes with six pistons up front and four pistons in the back
RUF Bi-LED lighting system

The Rodeo is capable enough to hold its own off the beaten track and look absolutely stunning when it does. The version that was revealed to the world was finished in a bold shade RUF calls Signal Orange, with more options of exterior colors - Bitter Chocolate, Olive Green, Burgundy Red, and Aga Blue. A design highlight that certainly makes the Rodeo stand out from other off-road 911s are the beefy body-colored (not the rough-and-tumble black-plastic kind) squared-off wheel arches. Look closely and you’ll also spot integrated silver roof rails.

RUF Rodeo: A Rugged Turbocharged Homage To The Wild West storyboard - image 190995

The interior is also a classic blend of brown leather and a fabric pattern inspired by the interior decor of the Ralph Lauren ranch in Colorado. Alois Ruf Jr, Chairman of RUF, had this to say about their creative thought process behind the creation of the Rodeo

We wanted to create a car that evokes a sense of nostalgia while benefitting from the thrill of modern technology that can let you go anywhere, We have a deep sense of connection to the beauty of the American West and wanted to honor that in the Rodeo. And, most importantly, we wanted to create something fun.

Well from what I have seen of the spec sheet of the Rodeo, it’s safe to say that RUF has outdone itself. Now the Rodeo will be a limited production model, the exact number has not been revealed. I suspect RUF will also come out with its range of additional optional equipment like AUX Lights, roof racks, branded shovels, and other things that complement the off-road lifestyle.

Has RUF created something better at going off-road than the Porsche 911 Dakar? I would love to see a head-to-head comparison of these two duking it out in a back road face-off. Till someone makes that happen, we can drool over these pictures for now.

Ruf Rodeo 2025 by Thomas Bondan Tyas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAKcwntLKXI

Amrit Balraj

When not reading up or watching videos about obscure and rare automobiles, Amrit spends his free time planning imaginary road trips on some of the best driving roads in the world, preferably in an old truck with a motorcycle strapped to the bed. Read full bio