Renault Twingo Gordini RS

[Ecnelis]

Renault Twingo Gordini RS

RENAULT REVIVES GORDINI

The little blue bombshells with two white stripes are back!

The famous “Gorde” was a symbol of French success that thrilled several generations of motorists who were thirsty for sporty sensations at the wheel of a fun car. The French blue, white stripes and radiator grill with its four round headlights all contributed to an eternal identity that is an important part of Renault's sporting heritage.

In a few months, new Gordini-labeled versions will supplement the Renault Sport range and strengthen Renault’s offering in the compact sports segment. The fashionable and sporty Gordini label still possesses its exclusive and sporting values. The Gordini versions, derived from sports models that are already renowned for their outstanding performance, will appeal to lovers of thrills at the wheel and a distinctive design.
Twingo Gordini RS will be unveiled on 25 November at L’Atelier Renault on the Champs Elysées in Paris as part of the “Christmas in Blue” exhibition. It will be launched next spring. Clio Gordini RS will be launched a few months later.

GORDINI: RENAULT’S SPORTING HERITAGE

Amédée Gordini, who developed almost 200,000 Renault vehicles over a 20-year period, achieved some of the brand’s greatest sporting achievements. Born in 1899, just about one year after the launch of the very first Renault vehicle, Amédée Gordini demonstrated his mechanical skills from a very young age. After working as a mechanic on singleseaters, his R8 Gordinis finished 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the 1964 Tour of Corsica rally. In 1966, the 1300 version heralded the birth of the Gordini Cup. The R8 Gordini delighted lovers of fun driving for a whole decade.

It even featured in French films alongside famous stars, including Romy Schneider, Alain Delon and Lino Ventura, and this small sports sedan was a big hit with the younger generation of drivers. The trend had been set. Gordini became a symbol of success for a whole generation and came to embody a state of mind. The spirit of a triumphant France that shared its successes with everyone.

GORDINI: THE FASHIONABLE AND SPORTY LABEL OF THE RENAULT SPORT RANGE

With its elegant finish and strong design codes, the Gordini label builds on the renowned expertise of Renault Sport, and offers a fresh interpretation of its values. Renault naturally opted to build on the reputation of Renault Sport Technologies (RST) in order to transform the Gordini legend into a reality. Renault’s sports branch has prolonged the Gordini heritage through its renowned expertise in motor sport and the development of its sports models. RST is the world’s leading organizer of motor sport events. Since 2005, almost 3 million fans have attended World Series by Renault meetings, the Megane Trophy and Clio Cup races and special events
for motor sport enthusiasts. RST is now a leading player in the motor sports sector. Both in competition and series production, Renault’s sports models, such as the Megane RS, Clio RS and Twingo RS, developed by RST, are acknowledged as figuring amongst the best-performing vehicles in their category.

[Ecnelis]

Renault Twingo Gordini RS #2

RENAULT INTRODUCES TWINGO GORDINI R.S.

The return of the Gordini name is to be marked by the introduction of a new chic and sporty version of Renault Sport's pocket rocket which takes a current-day stance on the cues long associated with the Gordini world.

Just as it did in the past, the combination of French racing blue, white racing stripes and stylish, quilted-leather upholstery forms an integral part of the package, with a distinctly modern touch. The latest version of Renault's city car, which will appeal to customers looking for a distinctive vehicle with an assertive character, exudes an unmistakably French feel and stands out as a fitting homage to everything the Gordini signature stands for. Twingo Gordini R.S. is being premiered until January 10, 2010, at the L’Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées, in Paris, as part of the prestige showroom's 'Christmas in Blue' exhibition. It will then go on sale across Europe from March 2010.

LOOKS REDOLENT OF THE WORLD OF SPORT

Twingo Gordini R.S. features a gleaming Malte Blue lacquered metallic finish, plus two white racing stripes, in keeping with tradition. The front and rear bumpers are enhanced by gloss black details, while the foglamp surrounds, exterior mirror housings and lip spoiler are all picked out in a contrasting white finish. 'Gordini Series' badging either side refers back to the heyday of the Gordini Cup when the qualifying heats of the different meetings were known as séries. This exclusive exterior styling package is rounded off by a choice of either blue or black diamondeffect 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels. The same Gordini spirit prevails inside, too, thanks to:

- Renault Sport seats with extra lateral support, plus blue and black quilted, Gordinibadged leather upholstery,
- blue leather door panel inserts,
- blue and black leather steeringwheel with two white stripes to indicate the centre point,
- blue gearlever bellows and Gordini-badged gearlever knob,
- blue rev-counter with white surround,
- trimmed dashboard cowl with visible stitching.

RENAULT TWINGO GORDINI R.S.: A RENAULT SPORT MODEL FIRST AND FOREMOST

To ensure that it befits Gordini's glorious motor sport heritage, the latest addition to the Twingo range is based on the same performance/equipment package as the Renault Sport version:

- 'Sport' chassis with 17-inch wheels for outstanding road-holding performance that is equally suited to everyday motoring,
- a feisty, responsive 1.6-litre 133hp petrol powerplant with a distinctive, specially-tuned engine pitch under acceleration,
- precise, incisive steering for even greater fun at the wheel,
- powerful, durable braking performance.

THE TWINGO SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES…

Twingo continues to enjoy considerable success in the European A-segment, with sales between January and the end of October 2009 amounting to 140,700 cars, an increase of 20 per cent over 2008. With 83,000 cars sold in France (an increase of 53 per cent over 2008), Twingo has emerged as the best-selling small city car for the second year running and accounts for almost one sale in three. The Renault Sport versions of Twingo figure are the segment's best-selling small sporting models and contribute to promoting Twingo's dynamic image. Twingo Gordini R.S. is expected to win over customers looking for a sporty car with refined,
distinctive styling. The newcomer combines the very best that the Twingo line-up has to offer with an indisputable French touch.

EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH CARS FROM SUPERIOR SEGMENTS

In addition to the existing, extensively-equipped Renault Sport version, Twingo Gordini R.S. features:

- Malte Blue or Pearlescent Black metallic paint,
- black diamond-effect 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels,
- automatic climate-control,
- automatic headlamp activation and rain sensor,
- cruise control with speed limiter,
- fully disconnectable ESP,
- 80W radio-CD with fingertip steeringwheel-mounted remote control, MP3 playback and separate display,
- RCA connectivity for personal music players (iPod, MP3),
- extra-tinted rear glass,
- independent, sliding rear seats for a boot capacity ranging from 285dm3 to 959dm3 (VDA).
- 'Cup' chassis,
- blue diamond-effect 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels,
- radio-CD Box with hands-free Bluetooth® telephone kit,
- curtain airbags,
- panoramic opening sunroof,
- Gordini key fob,
- Gordini carpet mats.

Prices will be published when order books open in France on February 15, 2010.

[Ecnelis]

Renault Twingo Gordini RS #3

[Ferrer]

So, all show and no go.

Mildly disappointing.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Minimal go actually, a quick tuning to suspensions and brakes.

Perhaps too little.

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

Minimal go actually, a quick tuning to suspensions and brakes.

Perhaps too little.

I cannot quite fathom where it says that in the press release...

[RSOWNER]

I think i was expecting too much from hearing of a Gordini revival. I was expecting something mental quick and striped out to just the bare essentials. This looks just to be a badge engineered way to shift a few extra Twingo Sports and a load of what i suspect would normally be optional extras.

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

I cannot quite fathom where it says that in the press release...

I read it on another website, didn't check the PR.

Going after it now. brb.

[LeonOfTheDead]

You know what?
never trust websites.

Their claims were probably based on a poor translation of the PR.

Then this car is nothing else than a marketing stunt, dressed as a fancy badge.

Total fail, DoingIY would be cheaper.

[RSOWNER]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

Then this car is nothing else than a marketing stunt, dressed as a fancy badge.

Glad to see i'm not the only one to think so.

[Ferrer]

They want to clearly pull an Abarth with it. Car makers that have heritage try to profit from it.

I wouldn't be surprised if eventually Gordinis replaced RSs altogheter.

[LeonOfTheDead]

It would be a wiser idea, at least I could consider Gordini as the name of the hot Renaults. RIght now it's is just a aesthetic package.

Abarth on the other hand has a lot of substance, even if the name could have even been Fiat 500 160 bhp, but still...

[Ferrer]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

It would be a wiser idea, at least I could consider Gordini as the name of the hot Renaults. RIght now it's is just a aesthetic package.

Abarth on the other hand has a lot of substance, even if the name could have even been Fiat 500 160 bhp, but still...

As I said I think that eventually Gordini will replace RS as the badge of choice for go fast Renaults.

RS has almost no brand recognition for hot Renaults. Or at least not as much as Gordini has. And just like Abarths And Coopers have they their cachet, heritage and a whole array of personalisation option that bring a lot of profits to their parent companies, so has/will Gordini.

[RSOWNER]

Originally Posted by LeonOfTheDead

Total fail, DoingIY would be cheaper.

Check it out this quick picture i rustled up for a giggle. Epic Fail

[LeonOfTheDead]

Originally Posted by RSOWNER

Check it out this quick picture i rustled up for a giggle. Epic Fail

Ok, that's a quick and poor photoshop, but I suppose the real fail is buying a new Twingo in first place.