Today, I invite you to discover this magnificent rally raid car (Red-Lined VK56) that I had the opportunity to see at the Morocco Desert Challenge 2023. It is produced by Red-Lined Motorsport, a South African company that develops, designs, and builds rally cars.
Terence Marsh shares a bit of his company’s history, which started developing two-wheel-drive rally cars in 2004 and transitioned to 4×4 development in 2012. We met in the main square of Agadir, where I got to know the driver and took the opportunity to capture detailed shots of one of the five cars present at the MDC.
By the time of MDC 2023, nearly 53 vehicles had been built, and Red-Lined was preparing to unveil its new flagship model, the T1+, known as the Red-Lined REVO T1+. Since then, new models have likely been released, with these vehicles being driven by their owners—six in South Africa and 47 in over 20 different countries worldwide. The workshops are located near Johannesburg in Kyalami (for context, they are just 200 meters from the famous circuit that once hosted Formula 1 races). Everything is built on-site by a team of engineers, mechanics, and rally specialists.
Red-Lined Motorsport
Red-Lined also offers its clients technical training on the cars, driving courses, and navigation training.
Perhaps the name Red-Lined doesn’t ring a bell, but it is the second-largest manufacturer in South Africa after Hallspeed (better known in Europe since it supplies cars to Overdrive). These vehicles are frequently seen in rallies across southern and eastern Africa, in the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, and in Cross-Country Bajas. In recent years, they have also made their way onto Moroccan tracks and dunes.
Red-Lined VK56
The VK56 model I am presenting belongs to Belgian driver Stefan Carmans, a 59-year-old who has been competing in rally raids for six years after having experience in kit cars and karting. He is also a Porsche enthusiast, owning several stunning 911 models, and plans to race in GT3. Inspired by the Dakar Rally, he pursued off-road racing on dunes and desert tracks. He previously participated in the MDC with a Bowler Wildcat before switching to Red-Lined. He particularly appreciates the ease of adapting to this car—it’s “easy” to drive, maintenance is simple, and he values the direct communication with Red-Lined and the services the company provides. He is at the MDC with his entire team, consisting of three mechanics, and also benefits from on-site support from Red-Lined.
Specifications of the Red-Lined VK56
The first versions of this model were released in 2019.
- FIA-homologated tubular chassis
- Engine and Transmission:
- Nissan 5.6L V8 VK56VD engine producing 360 hp and 560 Nm of torque, positioned front-mid with a Motec ECU
- Sadev SC9024 six-speed sequential gearbox
- FIA-homologated 480L fuel tank, providing an 800 km range (Dakar regulations compliant)
- Cooling System:
- Radiators placed at both the front and rear for the engine, gearbox, steering, etc.
- Suspension and Chassis:
- Two Reiger shock absorbers per wheel
- Front independent suspension
- Rear solid axle built by Red-Lined, equipped with a Nissan differential
- Front suspension travel: 280mm (FIA limit)
- Rear suspension travel: 330mm (FIA limit)
- The rear has a rigid axle, while the front features a wishbone setup
- Braking System:
- Powerbrake disc brakes
- OMP bucket seats and harnesses
Inside, the cockpit is equipped with all necessary controls, including the co-driver’s navigation setup with an ERTF tablet, Terratrips, and a safety beacon.
Red-Lined REVO T1+
As mentioned earlier, Red-Lined offers several models, including the brand-new REVO T1+. It also features a tubular chassis and offers two Nissan engine options:
- 5.6L V8 VK56VD (used in the Nissan Patrol V8, Nissan Titan, and Nissan Armada)
- 3.8L V6 VR38 twin-turbo (GTR engine), producing between 480 and 565 hp with 583 to 633 Nm of torque
For transmission, it retains the Sadev SC924 six-speed sequential gearbox. The most significant difference is in the suspension, which now offers 350mm of travel!
Additional features include:
- Water-cooled brake calipers
- Integrated tire inflation/deflation system (with 37″ BFGoodrich KDR2+ tires)
- Carbon composite body
- Optimized aerodynamics
The REVO T1 version, meanwhile, is powered by the 5.6L V8 VK56VD.
With these specifications, Red-Lined Motorsport continues to establish itself as a major player in the rally-raid scene, providing competitive, reliable, and well-supported vehicles for drivers worldwide.
