RenaultSport Rules Out Potent RS-Branded SUVs

A source close to RenaultSport claims that the French firm’s performance division

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by Brad Anderson

October 3, 2016 at 06:02

A source close to RenaultSport claims that the French firm’s performance division has ruled out any possible RS-branded SUV models.

According to Motoring, RenaultSport was pondering creating a performance-focused variant of the Captur SUV last year. Fast forward 12 months and it has apparently changed its mind.

A senior source “working closely with RenaultSport” told the publication that the project has been cancelled due to the fear of a potential lack of demand for such a model.

“The RS SUV is cancelled, it’s finished,” he said. “It’s not going to happen. Sure, RenaultSport can make a really nice car, a car that handles maybe unlike any other SUV, but there’s a worry there is no demand for it.

“Okay, you might say ‘But Audi make sporty SUVs and they sell’ and you would be right… But we need to remember, we’re not Audi and it is too risky to try,” he said.

Additionally, it is reported that RenaultSport didn’t want to undermine the brand’s legacy which has been solely focused on making potent hot hatches since 1999.