Let me first answer the question that most people are likely to ask: what is the difference between the Renault Twingo RS and the Twingo RS Gordini?
It boils down to basically an exterior paint job with white stripes and appropriate Gordini badges. There are also different wheels. Inside you will find mostly blue leather inserts with two white leather stripes on the top of the steering wheel, to continue the theme set by the exterior treatment. Other interior highlights include the leather sport seats that are unique to the Gordini and lastly the rev counter is draped in blue and white.
This is the first Renault model, locally and internationally, to have the newly revived and revered Gordini name attached to it, but expect to see more Gordini models offered by RenaultSport.
In terms of performance there is no change to the engine, suspension or electronics, although lower profile tyres (195/40 instead of 195/45) can be found on the 17-inch rims instead of the standard RS’s 16-inch rims. So, nothing major, but you have to consider the history of Gordini before you have a negative go at this new model.
In 1968 and 1969 the R8 Gordini won the production car championship in South Africa. Apart from that, these little cars didn’t only succeed on local racing circuits but also on overseas’ circuits. It is after all the car that gave South African racing legend Jody Scheckter the nickname Sideways Scheckter.
There are clearly a couple of correlations between the old and the new car. The Twingo RS Gordini is one of those rare cars that allows you to use the expression: “you can wear it”. And it is this characteristic that gives this car go-kart like handling. Contributing to this feeling is a tight cabin that may just be a bit of a squeeze for any above-average sized human being. Still, if you enjoy feeling connected to a car, this is possibly the most affordable one on the market with this trait.
The different wheels and tyres might contribute a little bit to the encouraging grip level this small hatch has to offer, but you will have to drive the RS and RS Gordini back to back to really notice any difference. As with the Twingo RS, you have to go in search of specific roads to understand what this car is about. If there is no twisty pieces either on your daily commute or during your weekend drives, you will only become frustrated with this high revving 1,6-litre engine that develops 98 kW and 160 N.m.
At an indicated 125 km/h the rev needle already sits at 4 000 r/min. But once you have a road ahead of you with short straights and several tight turns this Twingo’s personality blooms. If you don’t know the car well, you will find yourself going through a corner only to realise, time and again, that you could have gone faster.
Since it is so light, you can leave the braking much later than usual. Then, once you start turning the steering wheel, the Twingo will change direction quickly and confidently. Otherwise it is always interesting to see how the car (same with the Clio RS and even the Mégane RS) usually lifts the inner wheel round a corner. Even when the cornering is done, you can indulge in pushing the rev needle to 6 500 r/min when the gear change light illuminates.
All-in-all it is a fun entry-level performance hatch that could teach you a thing or two about driving. Is it worth the R15 000 over the standard Twingo RS? That will depend on your interest in the Gordini history or heritage and how different you want your car to look to everyone else’s.
The Renault Twingo RS Gordini retails for R214 900.