The RUF Rodeo Concept Coupe is a bold departure from the Zuffenhausen-inspired formula that made RUF famous, reimagining the Porsche-based sports car as a capable all-terrain machine with a distinct off-road character and a Ralph Lauren-inspired interior. Built on a carbon fiber monocoque chassis developed in partnership with SCR, the Rodeo Concept merges supercar DNA with genuine desert-running capability.
What Is the RUF Rodeo Concept?
RUF Automobile is best known for extracting extraordinary performance from Porsche platforms, producing legends like the CTR Yellowbird. With the Rodeo Concept Coupe, the Bavarian coachbuilder took a different direction entirely. Rather than optimizing lap times, the engineering team focused on creating the most refined and capable off-road performance coupe possible.
Design, Suspension and Off-Road Hardware
The Rodeo Concept sits on an SCR carbon fiber monocoque, keeping weight to a remarkable 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs) despite its aggressive all-wheel-drive hardware. The suspension features bespoke dual-wishbone, push-rod geometry on all four corners with long travel tuning for desert and trail use. Wide-track fenders accommodate full-size all-terrain tires mounted on rugged cast wheels, and the exterior wears a two-tone finish split by a single red accent line. A substantial roof rack sits above the cabin, reinforcing the expedition-ready brief. When the production version was revealed at Monterey Car Week, RUF confirmed 610 hp from its rear-mounted 3.6-litre turbocharged flat-six, an engine developed entirely in-house.
Interior: Ralph Lauren Meets Race Car
Inside, the Rodeo adopts what RUF describes as a Western Americana theme inspired by the Ralph Lauren Ranch aesthetic. Brown leather spans the dashboard, center console, door panels and seat bolsters, stitched together with a craftsman's attention to detail rarely seen in a purpose-built off-road performance coupe. For the concept, RUF paired the six-point harness and roll protection with a cockpit that reads as a driver's instrument rather than a concession to comfort, though the quality of material selection tells a different story. Depending on customer preference, a naturally aspirated or turbocharged flat-six can be specified.
RUF Rodeo Price and Production
The RUF Rodeo price has not been officially published, in keeping with the brand's tradition of bespoke, client-configured builds. Given RUF's history of limited, hand-assembled production runs and the complexity of the Rodeo's carbon tub and all-wheel-drive powertrain, pricing is expected to sit well into six-figure territory. Production numbers have not been confirmed, though the concept's reception at Pebble Beach suggests serious buyer interest. For those drawn to the idea of a coachbuilt Porsche-derived performance car with a focus on beautiful craftsmanship, the Nardone 928 restomod offers another compelling example of what happens when passion for air-cooled engineering meets modern coachbuilding.
Explore the full range of luxury hypercars and custom cars available at TheArsenale, or discover the Nardone 928 Porsche restomod and the RAESR Tachyon Speed electric hypercar for the pinnacle of coachbuilt and high-performance automotive art.
Sources: Top Gear, RUF Automobile, Motor1
