German automaker and Porsche fanatics Ruf Automobile GmbH debuted an all-wheel drive off-road carbon-tubbed Rodeo concept car in 2020, and after several years of tweaks, the car has arrived in production-spec. Based on the same carbon chassis as Ruf’s CTR and SCR, this car isn’t actually based on a Porsche 911 despite looking a whole lot like a Porsche 911. Unlike its chassismates, the Rodeo delivers its turbocharged flat-six power through all four wheels. Rodeo owners will have the option to drive their knobby-tire sports car off road, though most will choose to never drive it at all for fear of hurting its future value, I imagine.
If your neighbors in Beverly Hills have recently come home with a Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato or a Porsche 911 Dakar, you now have an opportunity to one-up them with a Ruf Rodeo. You can say something fun like “Does your expensive off-road thing have a carbon tub? Oh, it doesn’t? That’s a shame. It’s so much nicer to have a carbon tub.”
“At Ruf, we are always looking to the future while being inspired by the past,” said Alois Ruf Jr. “Our new Ruf Rodeo is the perfect example. 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.”
Under the rear-engine decklid of the Rodeo you’ll find a 3.6-liter turbocharged flat six. This Rodeo comes with 610 hard-working ponies, as well as 516 foot-pounds of torque. The all-wheel drive system, designed and developed entirely in-house, is “fully adjustable” from a screen on the dashboard. The Rodeo is the kind of car you’ll want to control with your hands, so it is only available with a six-speed manual transmission, and dual limited slip differentials are included. You’ll also get electronically adjustable dampers at all four corners for a softer ride than a bucking bronco.
The whole shooting match weighs just 2,756 pounds, which is pretty impressive for an all-wheel drive supercar. By comparison a Sterrato weighs in at 3653 pounds, while Porsche’s take on the all-wheel drive rear-engine off-roader sports car, the Dakar, weighs a full 3538 pounds.
What about that cowboy interior? Here’s what Ruf had to say:
The interior of the Rodeo is meticulously crafted with a Western Americana theme, drawing heavy inspiration from the Ralph Lauren Ranch. The whimsical collection of patterns and colors extends to the seats, dashboard, doors and headliner upholstery. The leather graining and stitch work were carefully crafted in Pfaffenhausen to evoke a nostalgic reference to the American Old West and its “do anything, go anywhere” ethos, a fundamental principle in everything created at RUF.
This bright orange widebody off-roady monster will make its debut at The Quail Motorsport Gathering later this week as part of the larger Monterey Car Week festivities. There’s no word yet on pricing, or how long it’ll take Ruf to build one to your specifications, but bet on “a lot” and “a while” to be the answers.