QUOTE
Renault has officially announced the return of the iconic Gordini badge.
The revived brand will help Renault take on the likes of the Mini Cooper and Abarth 500, offering an extensive personalisation of its hot hatches.
It won’t signal even sharper versions of the Twingo, Clio and Megane, however, with the Gordini range being mechanically identical.
What customers will get are new wheels, colours and interior options for a premium over the Renaultsport cars.
Renault is keen to give its cars more of a premium edge and this is where the Gordinis will come in.
First up will be the Twingo Gordini RS, based on the Renaultsport Twingo 133, due to be unveiled on 25 November on the Champs Elysees.
The move is part of a masterplan by Renault to shake up the respected Renaultsport brand. Renaultsport GTs will now sit below the more potent Renaultsport RS models, with the Gordini brand even higher.
The first Renaultsport GT will be the Megane three-door, which is expected to use the existing 180bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine, but with beefed-up styling from the RS 250. Renaultsport GT versions of the Twingo and Clio will follow.
The revived brand will help Renault take on the likes of the Mini Cooper and Abarth 500, offering an extensive personalisation of its hot hatches.
It won’t signal even sharper versions of the Twingo, Clio and Megane, however, with the Gordini range being mechanically identical.
What customers will get are new wheels, colours and interior options for a premium over the Renaultsport cars.
Renault is keen to give its cars more of a premium edge and this is where the Gordinis will come in.
First up will be the Twingo Gordini RS, based on the Renaultsport Twingo 133, due to be unveiled on 25 November on the Champs Elysees.
The move is part of a masterplan by Renault to shake up the respected Renaultsport brand. Renaultsport GTs will now sit below the more potent Renaultsport RS models, with the Gordini brand even higher.
The first Renaultsport GT will be the Megane three-door, which is expected to use the existing 180bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine, but with beefed-up styling from the RS 250. Renaultsport GT versions of the Twingo and Clio will follow.
Autocar
I think it's funny that while Peugeot seems to be killing off it's once iconic hot hatch range, Renault (who successfully picked-up where Peugeot left off) is only heating things up. For those of you who're unfamiliar with Gordini, think of them as Renault's version of Abarth.
