What makes the Ruf Rodeo stand out from other off-road sports cars?
The Ruf Rodeo isn’t just another 911 with a lift kit and some chunky tires. It’s a ground-up reimagining of what a rally-inspired supercar can be. Underneath its rugged, purposeful skin lies a bespoke carbon fiber monocoque chassis—something you simply won’t find on any other off-road-ready vehicle in this segment. That means it’s not just tough, but also incredibly light and stiff, giving it a unique blend of agility and durability.
Ruf’s approach here is all about authenticity. Instead of tweaking an existing Porsche, they’ve engineered the Rodeo to handle the kind of punishment you’d expect from a real Dakar stage. The result? Pure magic. Wider tracks front and rear (41 mm up front, 142 mm at the back) give it a planted, aggressive stance, while functional bash bars and fender flares shout that this car is ready for more than just a gravel driveway.
How much power does the Ruf Rodeo actually deliver?
Let’s talk numbers, because the Rodeo isn’t shy. Power comes from a 3.6-liter turbocharged flat-six, water-cooled and tuned to a whopping 610 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. That’s supercar territory, and it’s all routed through a six-speed manual transmission—no paddles, no nonsense, just you and the machine.
But there’s more: the Rodeo uses a fully adjustable all-wheel-drive system, letting you dial in the torque split between front and rear axles. Whether you’re carving up a mountain pass or launching off a sand dune, you’re in control. It’s the kind of setup that rewards skill and confidence, not just a heavy right foot.
What kind of off-road tech does the Rodeo bring to the table?
Ruf didn’t just bolt on some off-the-shelf suspension and call it a day. The Rodeo features pushrod-activated coilovers with active dampers and double-wishbone suspension—a setup you’d expect to find on a Le Mans prototype, not an off-road coupe. The ride height jumps an impressive 9.5 inches (242 mm) at the touch of a button, so you can clear rocks and ruts without breaking a sweat.
Stopping power is equally serious: carbon ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers and massive 350 mm discs at all four corners. That’s the kind of hardware you want when you’re hustling 610 horsepower across unpredictable terrain. In short, the Rodeo isn’t just about looking the part—it’s engineered to take a beating and keep coming back for more.
How does the Ruf Rodeo compare to other Ruf models and the competition?
At Monterey Car Week, Ruf didn’t just bring the Rodeo—they also showed off the latest CTR3 Evo and the Tribute. The CTR3 Evo is a mid-engined monster with 800 horsepower, while the Tribute nods to Ruf’s air-cooled heritage with a 3.6-liter twin-turbo six making 550 hp. Each car has its own personality, but the Rodeo stands out for its singular focus on off-road performance.
Compared to the likes of the Porsche 911 Dakar or Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato, the Rodeo is more bespoke and arguably more hardcore. It’s not a mass-market special edition; it’s a hand-built, no-compromise machine for those who want something truly different. The carbon monocoque, the manual gearbox, the rally-bred suspension—these are features you just won’t find together anywhere else.
What’s it like to see the Rodeo in person?
The first customer Rodeo, finished in Jordan Black with white centerlock forged wheels, made its debut at The Quail during Monterey Car Week. Pictures don’t quite do it justice. In person, the stance is menacing, the details are exquisite, and the whole package just oozes purpose. It’s the kind of car that draws a crowd, not just because it’s rare, but because it’s so clearly built to be driven—hard.
A few industry insiders at the event remarked that the Rodeo feels like a love letter to both classic rallying and modern engineering. It’s a car that could just as easily be displayed in a museum as it could be tearing up a gravel stage. That’s a rare balance, and it’s what sets Ruf apart.
Is the Ruf Rodeo just for collectors, or can it really be used off-road?
Here’s the thing: while the Rodeo is certainly exclusive (and likely to be snapped up by collectors), it’s not a garage queen. Everything about its design—from the bash bars to the adjustable suspension—screams usability. Ruf’s reputation is built on cars that are meant to be driven, and the Rodeo is no exception.
Realistically, most owners will probably split their time between spirited backroad drives and the occasional off-road adventure. But if you wanted to, you could absolutely take the Rodeo on a serious rally raid. It’s built for it, and that’s not something you can say about most supercars.
What’s the big takeaway for enthusiasts considering the Ruf Rodeo?
The Ruf Rodeo is a bold answer to a question few dared to ask: what if you could have a true supercar, built for the dirt as much as the tarmac, with no compromises? It’s not about perfection—it’s about smarter adjustments. Start with one change this week, and you’ll likely spot the difference by month’s end. Whether you’re a die-hard Ruf fan or just someone who loves the idea of a rally-bred supercar, the Rodeo proves that adventure and performance don’t have to be mutually exclusive.