Yee-haw indeed! RUF has channeled its inner cowboy to create a carbon fibre, 4x4 monster that’s ready to tackle any terrain you throw at it. This is why RUF, much like Alpina, remains one of the coolest names in the automotive world—what we have here is a reimagined classic 911, beefed up and modified to conquer the great outdoors.

First teased as a concept back in the pre-pandemic days, the RUF Rodeo is now a full production reality, making its grand debut at the Monterey Car Week in California—a fitting location considering this car’s homage to the rugged American West. Alois Ruf Jr, the mastermind behind this creation, wanted to build something that’s not just capable, but downright fun.

And that fun starts with the heart of the beast—a 3.6-liter flat-six engine developed in-house by RUF. This isn’t just any engine, though. It’s water-cooled, with an aluminium head and block, special camshafts, dry sump lubrication, two-stage resonance induction, and a fly-by-wire throttle that’ll make your heart race. The result? A ferocious 455 kW and 700 Nm of torque.

Power is sent to all four wheels through a pair of limited-slip differentials on the front and rear axles, managed by a six-speed manual gearbox. While RUF hasn’t disclosed the exact 0-100 km/h time, they do promise a top speed of 250 km/h. 

But speed isn’t the only trick up the Rodeo’s sleeve—it’s built to flatten out the roughest of terrains, thanks to pushrod-actuated coilovers with active dampers designed specifically for off-road punishment. These coilovers can increase the ride height by up to 240 mm, ensuring that nothing stands in your way. The engine, gearbox, and suspension are all securely housed in a carbon fibre monocoque, supported by spaceframe subframes at the front and rear, and topped with carbon fibre body panels. And yes, there’s a roll cage too—because you’ll probably need it.

The Rodeo rolls on lightweight five-spoke 18-inch wheels, shod with all-terrain Goodyear tires. Behind those wheels hide six-pot calipers up front, four-pot calipers at the rear, and massive brake discs all around, with ABS and traction control to keep everything in check. And because RUF knows you might want a bit of comfort after a day of off-road madness, the interior features air conditioning, lightweight bucket seats, a three-spoke sports steering wheel, and a blend of leather and Alcantara that screams luxury.

“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,” says Ruf Jr. “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.”

Full-throttle across an off-road course in a carbon fibre supercar? Fun doesn’t even begin to cover it. The RUF Rodeo is a love letter to the American frontier, with the power, poise, and playful spirit to match.