Renault revived the Gordini name at the end of 2009, when it presented the Twingo Gordini RS. Other members of the Gordini family include the Twingo Gordini and more recently, the Wind Gordini, which premiered at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
Read more »
Instead of thoroughly re-engineering the Gordini-badged model, the French company has simply tweaked the Renaultsport Clio's appearance. Aside from the twin white racing stripes on the bonnet, roof and tailgate, the Gordini treatment includes glossy black bumper parts, white mirrors and unique 17-inch alloy wheels with a polished face and black inner rim.
To the disappointment of Gordini fans, the treatment is essentially a styling package. On the outside, the Clio Gordini RS features a Malta Blue bodywork embellished by two hallmark white stripes, black 17-inch alloys, gloss black highlights on the front bumper and rear diffuser plus mirror housings and F1-style front bib finished in white.
Boasting one of the longest names in the auto biz, the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport marks the revival of the Gordini badge that will soon find its place on all RenaultSport products. Despite the sporty heritage of Gordini, these models will not carry any engine or chassis upgrades with improvements limited to the cars' styling. Now, what's the French word for 'lame'?The first Gordini product is based on the Renault's pocket-rocket, the Twingo RenaultSport 133 that's powered by a 1.6-liter four-pot with 133 horsepower.
On the outside, the upmarket Gordini is distinguished by the traditional blue metallic finish with two white racing stripes. A closer look reveals that the bumpers are enhanced by gloss black centre sections, while the fog lamp surrounds, exterior door mirror housings and rear tailgate spoiler are trimmed in a contrasting white finish.
A set of 17-inch alloy wheels with a polished face and a choice of the inner rim finished in either blue or black complete the exterior package.
Moving on into the cabin, Renault says that the sport seats are now trimmed in blue and black leather with the same colors making their appearance on the door panel inserts, leather steering wheel and instrument panel..
Furthermore, there's a blue gearlever gaiter and Gordini-badged gearlever knob and a leather trimmed dashboard cowl.
Along with the styling additions, the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport gains extra standard equipment including automatic climate-control, automatic headlamp activation, automatic wiper activation, cruise control, fully disconnectable ESP and an upgraded MP3 audio system.
The first Gordini model will make its physical debut on January 10 at the Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées, with sales set to begin across Europe in March.
If you thought Renault's naming system for its sporty hatches was already ridiculous with the RenaultSport (...and horsepower) moniker wait until the French firm launches a new line of models that will revive the Gordini nameplate. See, instead of replacing the RenaultSport name, the Gordini badge will be used on more premium and chic versions of the automaker's hot hatches that will benefit from specific cosmetic and equipment upgrades - but not from any kind of mechanical tweaks.And that despite the fact that the iconic nameplate was once used on the Renault 8 Gordini rally car of the mid 1960s which later on gave birth to a 1300cc version for the Gordini Cup one-make race series.
The first product of the Gordini brand that is set to be unveiled on 25 November at L'Atelier Renault on the Champs Elysées in Paris, is the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport which will be based on the Renault Twingo RenaultSport 133 - yes, we could have just said Twingo RS 133 but where's the fun in that?
The Gordini-badged Twingo is scheduled to go on sale in Europe in Spring of 2010 and will be followed by similar versions of the Clio RS 200 and Megane RS 250 hot hatches.
Renault did not disclose any specific details on the Gordini models but it's safe to assume that the cars will feature the brand's traditional light-blue exterior finish with twin white racing stripes.
While not as insanely extreme as the Citroen 2CV - Ferrari F355 hybrid that we showed you back in May, this special creation from French custom car and motorcycle builder Lazareth is one helluva creation. Evidently inspired by the competition Renault Megane Trophy and the Clio V6 Renault Sport, the Twingo Trophy is one of those cars that you'd be tempted to take for a spin even though it doesn't make much sense.The French tuner took a base first-generation Twingo mini and turned it into a track-racer by throwing out the puny, front-mounted stock engine and installing a Range-Rover-sourced 3.5-liter V8 with 180 horsepower behind the front seats. Power is transferred to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Of course, transforming a city car into a mid-engined sports car isn't that simple as Lazareth had to modify the Twingo's chassis by adding a rear tubular subframe, replacing the suspension and brakes and widening the front and rear tracks just to mention a few of the changes. It also rides on 18-inch Toora alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama slick tires size 230 up front and... 320 at the back.
Other highlights include the matte gray exterior paint finish and the 'sported-up' interior that boasts a pair of MOMO bucket seats, sport steering wheel and new digital gauges. And the price for all this? Well, according to Lazareth's site, the Twingo Trophy V8 could be yours for €70,000 or about $105,000 US. Who said that grown mens toys come cheap...
Thanks for the tip Timo! Via: Maxituning , Source: Lazareth
