What do you make of the new RUF Rodeo Concept?
This, explains legendary Porsche tuner RUF, is an off-road car. It is called the RUF Rodeo, is based on a specialist carbon fibre monocoque chassis, and is part-inspired by Ralph Lauren.
There aren’t many details about the RUF Rodeo, apart from the aforementioned carbon fibre monocoque chassis which also underpins the company’s SCR. What details there are indicate it has larger, all-terrain tyres and longer-travel suspension.
Looks… well, it looks ready for a safari, in any case. RUF say it can accommodate either a naturally-aspirated flat six, or a turbocharged flat-six. The former drivetrain is installed in that SCR – more on that below – where it produces a really quite healthy 503bhp.
So if you wish, this Rodeo can also produce a really quite healthy 503bhp thanks to that 4.0-litre sixer, or indeed more if you whack a turbo on it. Cast your eyes around the Rodeo, and you’ll spot various nods to its all-terrain intent: roof bars with additional storage capacity, many lights, a bull bar with a rope attached to it, and the all-important SPADE strapped to the back.
“When we began building our own automobiles it was all for the thrill of the drive,” explains RUF marketing director Estonia Ruf. “The Rodeo Concept combines that passion for cars with the love of western culture – an appreciation I found while studying in Oklahoma, USA.
“This car is inspired by some of our favourite people and our love for the countryside.”
For those that love outright speed a little more, there’s always the SCR. First shown at Geneva a couple of years back, this green car is the very first production model. As noted above, it features a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated sixer producing 503bhp, gets a six-speed manual gearbox, a kerbweight of just 1,250kg and is capable of reaching 320kph.
We would welcome any thoughts you may have about both cars, particularly the Rodeo…
