These RSs were affordable

Kia Rio 1.3 or 1.5 RS – Just the second level

No revamped engine, let alone a special interior or spoilers. At the beginning of this century, the designation RS was simply the second or third trim level of a model at Kia. The first generation Rio you sometimes see driving with that name. Feel free to stand next to it at a traffic light, because the chance is small that the Rio RS will drive you missing. Whether it’s one with an 82-hp 1.3 or 95-hp 1.5, it’s never a fast sprinter. With a starting price of €9,495, the Rio is one of the cheapest RSs of all time.

Renault 21 RS – Didn’t stand for Renault Sport

The RS designation is very appropriate for Renault Sport models. But did you know that that abbreviation was once on the back of a very modest Renault 21? No, not that fierce 2.0-liter turbo, but just a modal 1.7. The Renault 21 RS was in the price list in 1988 for an amount of €14,362 (31,649 guilders). There is nothing more to report about this version than it had 88 hp. It was just one of many designations the French brand used at the time.

Citroën BX 16 RS – Still under the TRS

The French brands always keep an eye on each other, because the equipment level RS also existed for the Citroën BX and the CX. In the BX it was mated to a 1,600 engine, in the CX to a 2.2 liter, the 22 RS. With the BX it was a level below the TRS and even in the then top model CX you were not immersed in sportiness or luxury after purchasing an RS.

Ford Escort 1.6i and 1.8i RS – No 2000 or Cosworth

Of course there were seriously fierce RSs of the last generation Ford Escort. What’s called… take the RS Cosworth, a road rally cannon. The RS 2000 was also available with 150 hp. But the abbreviation RS also stuck Ford in the last two years of the model on a good 1.6 and 1.8. It replaced the Escort with the abbreviation GT, also such a designation that appeared on cars all the time. An RS had sporty white dials with red hands, ‘sport seats’ and also sporty hubcaps, although you see only examples in brochures of that time on light metal. For around €15,000 you had such an Escort RS.

Ford Fiesta 1.3i and 1.4i RS – Totally Forgotten RS

Of all the Ford Fiesta generations (current will be the last) you may think of this one, which came on the market in 1995. It was also available as Mazda 121. There was an RS, but also for this model it was only one trim level, coupled with a 1.3 or 1.4. But just like with the Escort RS (without Cosworth or 2000 behind it), Ford made it a little party with different seats and white dials. Of the same generation Fiesta appeared a few years later the Sport. You could order that from 2000 to 2002 with a 1.6 and that power source was exclusive to this version. And that while RS sounds more intense than Sport. Incidentally, there was once the seriously fast Fiesta RS Turbo, but it was from an earlier generation.

Kia Joice RS – No Zafira OPC Killer

Another Kia, just because it’s so much fun: the Joice RS. Possibly the ugliest car ever you could get as an RS. No, the Joice RS was not an Opel Zafira OPC killer, because it came up short with a 139-hp 1.8. With the Joice, the RS was even the entry-level car, which means that in 2000 you could already drive this MPV for €18,827.

Skoda Fabia RS – Real ‘sporty topper’

Actually, it does not fit in this overview, but we are happy to mention the Skoda Fabia RS with 130-hp 1.9 TDI. Indeed, the Czechs hung a diesel engine in the sporty top version of the first generation of the popular B-segmenter. The thing was pretty fast, but it cost a pretty penny: almost €25,000. In contrast to the other models in this overview, it is really a ‘sporty top model’. Concern mate Seat also pasted the designation Cupra on fast diesel hatchbacks, but then there was always the choice of a petrol engine. That was not the case with the small Skoda. You always had to make do with a self-igniter in the first Fabia RS. This makes it a very different RS!