The RUF Rodeo Is A More Thoughtful 911 Dakar

The 911 Dakar, with its lift, big tires, and PDK dual-clutch gearbox is one serious machine. For just that reason, it’s not for everyone.

RUF, based just a stone’s throw from Porsche, has a less serious answer to the off-road 911–the RUF Rodeo. It’s lighter, brighter, and has a six-speed manual transmission. Just look at the interior, right out of a westernwear catalog. Of course, there are some more serious aspects to the Ruf Rodeo beyond its interior, retro graphics, and candy orange paint.

For starters, RUF remakes the 911's body in carbon fiber, leading to a feathery 2,756-pound curb weight. In case things get a little rough off-road, there’s also an integrated steel roll cage. This isn't your Uncle's Porsche, despite the 911 design and its take on the flat-six engine that has powered its cousins from Stuttgart–it's very much its own thing.

Here, RUF uses a water-cooled turbocharged 3.6-liter flat-six making a massive 610 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. The AWD system is RUF’s own as well, with front and rear limited-slip differentials and a driver-selectable torque split.

Thanks to its pushrod suspension and 235/55 Goodyear all-terrain tires, the Rodeo claims up to 9.5 inches of ground clearance. We also love the off-road twist given to RUF’s long-running five-pointed wheel design. RUF says it will offer five colors when the coupe goes on sale: Signal Orange, Olive Green, Bitter Chocolate, Burgundy Red, and Aga Blue.

RUF is expected to begin production of the Rodeo soon; at a starting price of $1,250,000.

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