Some of the car manufacturers which sell new models in the UK market offer their most performance-enhanced vehicles under a distinct sub-brand. These performance sub-brands are typically a subsidiary of an established car manufacturer.
The chances are you’ve come across at least a few of these performance sub-brands over time, but perhaps you want to get clued up on the names of all them. If you’re keen to know your AMGs from your VXRs, then this is the guide for you.
Here we explain which manufacturers currently operate sub-brands, what they are called and what sort of cars are offered from them.
Audi – RS
Audi’s RS-branded cars are created by Quattro GmbH, a wholly owned private subsidiary founded over thirty years ago. While this company’s name is rarely mentioned in public, it has helped to create some of Audi’s fastest cars including the RS4, RS6 and the R8 supercar.
The Audi RS cars offer the sort of technology and performance figures which put them on par with high performance sports cars. These RS derivatives are available on the majority of Audi’s mainstream models including the A3, Q3, A4 and A6.
The initials RS for Audi’s performance cars stand for RennSport which in German literally translates to “racing sport”.
BMW - M
BMW M is a subsidiary of the German car giant of the same name which was originally created to support BMW’s motorsport programmes. It has gone on to create many M-badged performance cars, including most famously the M3 coupes, M5 saloons and more recently the M4 and M2 coupes.
Previously, BMW M has also been responsible for creating range-topping performance derivatives for the X5 SUV, X6 crossover and Z4 sports car.
Fiat - Abarth
Abarth is a subsidiary fully owned by the manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and makes race cars and road cars based on models in the Fiat brand’s range.
In Britain, the Abarth sub-brand offers a few different hot hatches based on the Fiat 500 but featuring sportier styling and more power. Current examples include the 595, 595 Competizione and 695 Biposto, which have different increases in power compared to a regular 500.
Hyundai - N
A more recently arriving performance sub-brand, Hyundai’s N performance cars were announced to the world during 2015. The Hyundai N sub-brand is inspired at least in part by the South Korean manufacturer’s current participation in the World Rally Championship.
The first cars from Hyundai’s sub-brand have yet to arrive but expect to see N versions of current models such as the i20 and i30 in the not too distant future.
Jaguar and Land Rover - SVO
SVO, which stands for Special Vehicle Operations, is designed to create performance cars for both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands. These cars aim to be capable of rivalling the likes of BMW M or Mercedes AMG cars when it comes to performance and premium design.
The first model launched by the SVO brand was the Range Rover Sport SVR (the R stands for Race), and newer additions are set to include the F-TYPE SVO, which will top the sports car’s line-up boasting 567bhp.
In the future SVO will create derivatives focused on off-road capability rather than on-road performance and these will be badged to as SVX models.
Lexus – Lexus F
Lexus F is the marque used for high-peformance cars created by the Japanese manufacturer Lexus. The F in this name stands for Flagship.
Past examples of cars created under the Lexus F marque include the IS F super saloon and the LFA supercar. A more current example is the RC F coupe which rivals the likes of the BMW M4.
Lexus F is not to be confused with F Sport, which is a related trim line but is more about styling updates rather than adding the various tuning adjustments Lexus F provide.
Mercedes-Benz - AMG
AMG is the official performance division for Mercedes-Benz. While AMG originally started out as independent firm specialising in improving the performance of existing Mercedes cars, the German manufacturer took a controlling interest during the nineties and have been sole owners since 2005.
The AMG team independently engineers, manufacturers and customises the Mercedes AMG-branded cars. AMG offers the range-topping derivatives for Mercedes latest coupes, saloons and estates, including the C-Class, E-Class and S-Class. AMG has also aided the creation of entire ranges such as for the SLS and the AMG GT, the latter a more current example.
MINI – John Cooper Works
John Cooper Works (or JCW for short) is a British company that provides tuning parts and accessories for the BMW-owned MINI brand.
Nowadays, a few of the current models that MINI offers includes a JCW derivatives sitting at the top of their respective ranges. The MINI Hatch JCW is the most famous example, but John Cooper Works have also developed tuned performance upgrades for the MINI Paceman coupe and Countryman crossover.
Nissan - NISMO
NISMO is responsible for Nissan’s motorsport activities and also creates performance bolstered versions of the Japanese car maker’s coupes.
For a while, NISMO only offered third-party tuning kits for Nissan road cars but in recent years it has become more established as Nissan’s official sub-brand. Nowadays, NISMO creates the range-topping performance derivatives for the Juke crossover, 370Z coupe and GT-R coupe.
Renault - Renaultsport
Renaultsport (also referred to as Renault Sport, Renault Sport Technologies or RST) is responsible for running motorsport programmes for the Renault brand and creates several hot hatches based on existing Renault cars.
For the latest Clio supermini, Renaultsport has created the GT-Line and RS versions which sit at the top of the range, with the latter offering 197bhp. Renaultsport derivatives are also available for the latest Megane.
The design and components used for Renaultsport derivatives are far sportier compared to standard versions of the Clio and Megane and change these cars priority towards being capable of delivering fast track times.
Vauxhall - VXR
The VXR badge has been used for high-performance versions of Vauxhall cars since 2004. VXR derivatives have sportier, more aggressive body kit and more powerful engines than non-VXR cars in each affected models range.
Current examples include the Corsa VXR, Astra GTC VXR and Insignia VXR Supersport. The VXR badge is also used for Vauxhall’s individual performance car, the V8-powered VXR8 muscle car.