Twingo Gordini revealed

Earlier this month, CARmag.co.za reported that Renault was in the process of reviving the iconic Gordini brand to produce even more desirable versions of its Renault Sport-badged road rockets. First in line to receive the upgrade was the Twingo Gordini RS.

In Renault Sport guise the Twingo makes do with a more aggressive front bumper, bespoke wheels, a lower stance and other suitable enhancements along the lines of dark trim highlights, tailgate spoiler and wide wheelarches. To further distinguish the Twingo Gordini, it’s been endowed a special blue paint with white racing stripes, bespoke 17-inch alloys, gloss-black sections in the front and rear bumper, and white housings for the fog lights, door mirrors and rear spoiler.

Interior treatment mimics the exterior, with the seats covered in blue and black leather, two white stripes on the steering wheel that indicate the direction straight ahead, blue leather door panel inserts, blue gearlever boot and Gordini-badged gearlever knob, a blue rev-counter with white surround and a leather trimmed facia.

Over and above the Twingo RS’ generous features list, the Twingo Gordini also gains auto-on headlamps and wipers, cruise control, tinted rear windows, iPod and MP3 connectivity. Options include a “Cup” chassis which features stiffer springs and dampers as well as a lower ride height, a panoramic sunroof and a Gordini key fob.

Considering the rich racing heritage that comes with the Gordini badge, and what a legendary engine tuner company founder Amédée Gordini was, we’d have expected a slight increase in power at least to compensate for the larger wheels – but Renault has apparently opted not to tweak the normally-aspirated 1,6-litre unit any further , which in RS tune develops 98 kW at 6 750 r/min and 160 N.m of torque at 4 400 r/min.

The Renault Twingo Gordini RS is due to go on sale in European markets in March 2010, and will be joined by the Clio Gordini sometime during the second quarter of next year.