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The RS badge cars: from city cars to supercars

Victor Alós Yus @sepelaci 6 July 2016 4 min.

The RS badge cars: from city cars to supercars

Manufacturers use many acronyms to identify the most special versions of their models. There are plenty of them, but lately we have been seeing one that appears on several models, used across different types of cars. We can find it on several models, from compact cars to one of the most striking supercars in the world. Let’s review those models that make a significant difference compared with the cars they are based on and take a closer look at what they represent.

Porsche

The brand most commonly associated with the letters RS is Porsche. For the German brand, RS stands for Rennsport, because the word Renn means racing. Today, this designation is used for the most powerful road versions, with characteristics that place them above the basic models. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the one that currently carries this designation, but other 911s have benefited from these letters in the past. And, of course, it will not be the last.

Audi

As with Porsche, this badge is used by Audi to mark the most powerful versions of its models. Below them are the S versions, also quite powerful, but positioned below these versions. Audi Quattro offers several models with this designation, including the TT RS coupe, RS Q3 crossover, RS5 Cabriolet and the RS7 Sportback. Interestingly, for some years both companies were in court over this designation, but since both now belong to the same parent group, those disputes have disappeared.

Jaguar

The British company has used this designation for its models with the greatest capabilities. For a time, it offered versions of some models named XFR-S and XKR-S, in coupé and convertible form in this case. Both used the company’s 5.0-litre engine, although it has since been replaced. It has now opted for two new models, in both Jaguar and Land Rover, giving name to the F-Type SVR and the Range Rover Sport SVR.

Skoda

The RS variant is also present at the Czech brand, which currently uses it on the Octavia RS. It can be considered a variant of the GTI of Volkswagen, although with somewhat lower performance. The model currently comes with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and two engine types, petrol and diesel.

Renault

Renault is the only non-German manufacturer that can use this designation on its higher-performance cars. It is a brand that considers Renault Sport and has used it on some of the most powerful variants of its most popular models, such as the Mégane and the Clio. The Twingo too, which has eventually been toned down a little and became the Twingo GT.

Ford

In the jargon of the American manufacturer, RS stands for Rally Sport, so we can get an idea of the type of cars that carry this designation. It is not unusual for the Ford Focus RS to be the one wearing these letters, with its 350 CV of power, all-wheel drive and other specifications that place it above the other models.

Nissan

The Japanese brand places its most powerful cars under the Nismo umbrella. When a model needs to sit above this category, the RS nomenclature is added, as happens with the Nissan Juke Nismo RS.

Chevrolet

The American brand has several powerful models under various badges, but also its own RS package, which is offered on the Camaro LT. This package slightly increases the efficiency of the engine and the rest of the equipment.

Koenigsegg

We save the most spectacular of all for last. This is the Koenigsegg Agera RS. An explosive combination that delivers 1,160 CV, with acceleration to 100 km/h in under three seconds. I have no words to describe this model, which breaks with everything we imagine and has little in common with its relatives. Spectacular, right?