If you see an RS sticker on a car, you may be sure that this is a Rally Sport car. Unless the driver hasn't just applied the sticker to make the car look more sporty. RS vehicles are very different from standard ones. They often have different engines and different suspensions and brakes. They're designed to be driven hard and go fast in tough conditions. Although they started off as rally cars, today we see them used for various racing disciplines such as drift, sprint races, and time attack events.
Most of those cars are just marketed as Rally Sport, but they are actually designed for roads. This means that the car is too low for track day use and will be a headache to work on. While this "problem" has been solved by a number of manufacturers, it's a wise idea to check if Rally Sport cars actually have rally roots or it's just an attempt to boost sales.
In the last couple of years, we've seen quite a few examples of modified streetcars and their owners thinking that they're actually rally cars. If you're looking to use your car for track days, be sure to check the regulations of the particular series you want to race in. Most RS cars that now sell on the dealers' lots aren't appropriate for a rally or for any other kind of automotive sport.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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