Speaking to Australia’s goauto.com.au, Renault Sport International General Manager, Jean Calcat, said while the firm is indeed plotting the development of a RS badged off-roader, it has been left in a catch-22 situation in combining the traits of a traditional RS model with the intended use of an SUV.

“When you look at the development of cars around the world, SUVs are a big thing, electric is a big thing, so it would probably make sense in the future for Renault Sport to look at SUVs and EVs,. [However], the strong point of RS’s handling and road-holding. Which is slightly paradoxical with what an SUV is all about,” Calcat said.

“So, say we’re Porsche: we’re German, we need big engines for the autobahns, and German drivers will go flat-out on the autobahns whenever they like to. So, for Porsche to do a Cayenne or Macan with a big engine, it makes a lot of sense … but I would say that for us French manufacturers, it is a little bit more difficult to find the right solution”.

He added that particular attention is kept on the performance of Alfa Romeo and Volkswagen’s range of models, but stated that “we are looking into it, but we haven’t as yet (got) a firm commitment [to produce a RS SUV]. As I speak, there is no official product in the pipeline”.

According to Calcat, the brand’s first performance SUV could in fact be suited with the GT designation instead of being a full RS, as such a model will have a hard time to be taken seriously in key markets.

“We are aware where the market is going (with SUVs), and Renault Sport is there to support Renault in terms of image and not in terms of volume – 50 000 on one side and four million (units annually) on the other side – and so the more that Renault is going to go SUV,” he continued.

“I understand that the Koleos is already the best-selling Renault in Australia, while the Kadjar is the most popular Renault in China – in fact, over there, Renault only sells SUVs … so, if we don’t want to disappear at Renault Sport, at some stage in the future we will have to venture into SUVs”.

Last year, Renault Sport Director Patrice Ratti remarked at the Frankfurt Motor Show that while a RS badged SUV has not been ruled out, “we will not do it if we don't [get approval]”.

"Every time Renault launches a new car, we as Renault Sport ask ourselves whether it is suitable for such a change. We need to build a business case, then we need to get the development budget, and those steps take time. I do not think we will ever develop a RS MPV, for example. But an SUV, sedan or hatchback? Why not?" Ratti was quoted as saying.

At present, it remains a mystery as to which model could be the first GT or RS model, although Renault Australia Managing Director, Andrew Moore, has signalled the Russia exclusive Arkana out as being the ideal starting point.

The spotting of a rather conspicuous looking per-facelift Kadjar prototype in Sweden earlier this year initially stirred speculation that it might be the first RS SUV, although this appears unlikely following the revised model’s world launch earlier this month.