RUF’s 610-HP Rodeo Makes Its Production Debut at Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog.
A Different Kind of RUF
RUF Automobile has long stood apart in the Porsche ecosystem, transforming 911s into machines worthy of wearing their own badge. From the insanely awesome Yellowbird of the late 1980s to the modern CTR Anniversary, the German manufacturer has specialized in hand-built sports cars that blur the line between Porsche derivative and standalone creation.
In 2020, the company surprised us with a concept that went against its usual low-slung, high-speed formula – the RUF Rodeo, an off-road take on the 911 silhouette. What began as a showpiece has now become a full-fledged production model, with the very first customer car handed over at Monterey Car Week's The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.
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The First Rodeo Rides Out
The first production Rodeo carries the same carbon-fiber monocoque underpinnings as RUF's other modern cars but is built for conditions far beyond smooth tarmac. Finished in Jordan Black, it pairs its deep paintwork with white centerlock forged wheels, roof rails, model designations, and quad-stacked exhaust tips. Think Porsche 911 Dakar – but cooler and gnarlier.
The stance is more aggressive than the road-going SCR thanks to integrated bash bars, wide fender flares, and a wider track – 1.6 inches up front and 5.6 inches at the rear. Lighting comes from RUF's Bi-LED headlights and LED taillights, adding modern precision to its rugged form.
The chassis is raised by 9.5 inches compared to the SCR and employs a double-wishbone pushrod suspension designed in-house, with adjustable all-wheel drive and ceramic brakes at each corner. Power is provided by a 3.6-liter turbocharged flat-six developing 610 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual.
With this configuration, the Rodeo delivers off-road readiness without losing the analog experience central to the RUF identity. To mark the milestone delivery, Aloisa Ruf has designed a limited collection of hand-painted Rodeo jeans, each pair individually numbered.
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The CTR3 EVO and Tribute Share the Stage
The Rodeo was not the only car RUF brought to Monterey. The CTR3 EVO, finished in Howe White, also found its first owner at The Quail. Serving as the fastest car in the lineup, it uses a 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six producing 800 hp and 730 pound-feet of torque, routed to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. A top speed of 236 mph places it in modern supercar territory, with a carbon-fiber body and aerodynamic aids such as a large wing, diffuser, and front splitter ensuring stability at speed.
Alongside it was the production-ready Tribute, a model-year 2026 release powered by a newly developed air-cooled 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat-six producing 550 hp. Designed as a nod to the 911's history, it represents the only production air-cooled car offered by an OEM today. Together with the Rodeo and CTR3 EVO, it showcases the breadth of RUF's capabilities – from adventure-focused off-roader to cutting-edge track car to a nostalgic callback.
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RUF’s 610-HP Rodeo Makes Its Production Debut at Monterey first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 17, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
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