The RUF Rodeo, the only off-road sports car with a carbon-monocoque platform inspired by the Western Americana aesthetic, touches down in California
Automotive manufacturer RUF Automobile is proud to present the RUF Rodeo at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, during Monterey Car Week. Following up on the concept Rodeo’s debut in 2020, the production 2025 Rodeo is based on RUF’s own carbon-fiber monocoque design with numerous enhancements designed for rough terrain.
Backing up the Rodeo’s chiseled design is an impressive collection of mechanicals. A fully adjustable all-wheel-drive system designed and engineered in-house by RUF allows the driver to vary power delivery from front to rear via a dedicated screen on the center console. The system is connected to a RUF six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differentials front and rear. Power is supplied by a RUF-developed turbocharged 3.6-liter horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine, developing 610 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The Rodeo’s carbon-fiber bodywork and monocoque structure ensure maximum rigidity and minimum mass with a curb weight of only 2,756 pounds. The structure is further reinforced by RUF’s Integrated Roll Cage, constructed from high-strength steel and firmly connected at four points to the vehicle’s monocoque.
A double-wishbone suspension with pushrod-actuated coil-overs and electronically adjustable dampers is utilized at all four corners. The system has been developed for off-road use, and the ride height increased to 9.5 inches. Forged center-lock wheels are wrapped in custom Goodyear all-terrain tires, measuring 235/55 R18 and wearing the RUF Rodeo logo prominently on their sidewalls. RUF’s advanced ceramic brakes provide stopping power. These mechanical ingredients have been designed and engineered with pure driving pleasure in mind, a tenant central to every RUF vehicle.
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. Like all RUF vehicles, the Rodeo’s interior controls are thoughtfully designed to enhance the driving experience, allowing the owner to fully engage with the car. This ensures the driver remains in complete control, emphasizing the analog drivability that RUF is known for while incorporating necessary modern creature comforts.
“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.”
For more information on RUF Automobile, visit ruf-automobile.de/en/ or on social media at @rufsince1939.
