Twingo Gordini Renaultsport launched

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Written by G Wood

Wednesday, 25 November 2009 11:28

The Gordini name returns with the introduction of the Twingo Gordini Renaultsport. This latest version of Renault’s pocket rocket takes a fresh stance on the design cues long-associated with the Gordini world.

Just as before, the combination of French blue, white racing stripes and stylish, quilted leather upholstery forms an integral part of the package -but with a distinctly modern touch.

The latest Renault hot hatch will appeal to customers looking for a distinctive car with an assertive character, exuding an unmistakably French feel - a fitting tribute to everything for which the Gordini signature stands.

Twingo Gordini Renaultsport is premiered until 10 January 2010, at the Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées, in Paris, as part of the prestigious showroom's 'Christmas in Blue' exhibition. It will go on sale across Europe from March 2010.

Twingo Gordini Renaultsport features a gleaming Malta Blue metallic finish, plus two white racing stripes, in keeping with tradition. The front and rear bumpers are enhanced by gloss black centre sections, while the fog lamp surrounds, exterior door mirror housings and rear tailgate spoiler are all picked out in a contrasting white finish.

'Gordini Series' badging either side refers back to the 1960’s heyday of the Gordini Cup in France when the qualifying heats of the different race meetings were known as séries.

This exclusive exterior styling package is rounded off by 17-inch alloy wheels with a polished face and a choice of the inner rim finished in either blue or black.

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 Renaultsport 133 version:

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

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, within a year of Louis Renault building his very first vehicle, Amédée Gordini was fascinated by automobiles and motor racing from a very young age. After working as a racing mechanic in his teens, Gordini developed his own sports racing and Grand Prix cars before being engaged by Renault in the mid-1950s. The Renault 8 Gordini with its bright blue paintwork and twin white stripes was one of his most successful and iconic creations, finishing 1st, 3rd, 4th and 5th in the 1964 Tour of Corsica rally. In 1966, the 1300cc version heralded the Gordini Cup one-make race series, the blueprint for all single-make motorsport championships.

Prices will be announced nearer the time of the launch in the UK in March. www.girlracer.co.uk