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What does the acronym RS mean on cars?

You may have seen some cars with the RS initials in the name or on the rear. But do you know what it means? RS is an abbreviation that can have different meanings, depending on the brand and model of the car. In general, it indicates that the car has a sporty style or performance, meaning that it is faster, more powerful, more aerodynamic, or more attractive than the normal versions.


In this article, we will show some examples of cars that use the RS initials and explain what they represent in each case. Check it out!

Rally Sport

Rally Sport is a term that identifies the sporty versions of American models, such as Chevrolet Onix RS and Ford Focus RS. These cars are inspired by vehicles that participate in rally competitions, which are races on varied and challenging terrains.


The Chevrolet Onix RS is a version with a sporty visual appeal of Chevrolet’s compact hatchback, featuring a 1.0 turbo engine with 116 hp and a six-speed automatic transmission. It stands out for its exclusive design, with a black grille, darkened headlights, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler.

The Ford Focus RS is a version with advanced performance and technology of Ford’s compact hatchback, featuring a 2.3 turbo engine with 350 hp and all-wheel drive. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 266 km/h. It also offers a system that allows you to choose between four driving modes: Normal, Sport, Track, and Drift.

Renault Sport

Renault Sport is a division of Renault that develops the sporty models of the French brand, such as the Renault Sandero RS. These cars are designed to offer a more fun and exciting driving experience, with better performance, stability, and handling.

The Renault Sandero RS is a version with sporty performance and style of Renault’s compact hatchback, featuring a 2.0 naturally aspirated engine with 150 hp and a six-speed manual transmission. It stands out for its more aggressive look, with exclusive bumpers, blacked-out headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and dual exhaust outlets.


Racing Sport

Racing Sport is an expression that identifies the sporty versions of Honda models, such as the Honda Civic RS. These cars are inspired by vehicles that participate in speed competitions, such as Formula 1 and IndyCar.

The Honda Civic RS is a version with a more aggressive and dynamic style of Honda’s midsize sedan, featuring a 1.5 turbo engine with 173 hp and a CVT transmission. It stands out for its distinctive design, with a black front grille, full LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a rear spoiler.

RennSport

RennSport is a German word that means “racing sport” and identifies the high-performance versions of Audi models, such as the Audi RS3 and Audi RS6. These cars are manufactured by Audi Sport GmbH, a subsidiary of Audi specialized in sports vehicles.

The Audi RS3 is an exceptional performance version of Audi’s midsize hatchback, featuring a 2.5 turbo engine with 400 hp and all-wheel drive. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 280 km/h. It also stands out for the sound of the sports exhaust and the braking system with red calipers.


The Audi RS6 is an impressive power version of Audi’s large sedan, featuring a 4.0 V8 twin-turbo engine with 600 hp and all-wheel drive. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 305 km/h. It also stands out for its more robust appearance, with widened fenders, honeycomb grille, and 22-inch alloy wheels.

And you, what is your favorite RS car? Leave your comment and share this article with your friends!