2010 Renault Twingo Gordini R.S.

A while back Renault announced they were reviving the Gordini name so they could use it as a brand/nameplate to give a more sporting feel to certain models. Gordini has been around for quite a while, and although dormant of late, is a name certainly worth reviving. The first car out of the gates at the Renault factory is a Gordini branded Twingo R.S.

The new not hatch will make its world entrance this coming January 10, at the ever-so continentally named L’Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées, in Paris. Sales will follow in March of 2010. As with all Gordinis from the past, this future Twingo Gordini RS will be painted in Malte Blue lacquer metallic with the time-honored two white racing stripes.

Other exterior features include gloss black detailing on the front and rear bumpers, and a rather nice white contrasting finish for the fog-lamp surrounds, exterior mirror housings and lip spoiler. You get your choice of two types of wheels for the Gordini, either blue or black diamond-effect 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

On the inside Renault installs Gordini sports seats, matching blue leather door panel inserts, blue and black leather steering wheel with two white stripes, a blue gear lever with a Gordini badged gear knob and a blue rev-counter with a contrasting white surround.

Renault says that the 2010 Gordini also features a ’Sport’ chassis and that the 17-inch wheels offer outstanding road-holding performance, but will also perform well in everyday motoring. Under the bonnet there's a 1.6-liter engine that puts out 133hp that features a specially tuned exhaust to give a distinct engine note under acceleration.

The steering is said to be precise and incisive for even greater fun, and the stoppers are described as giving "powerful, durable braking performance." There's also automatic climate-control, automatic headlamp activation and rain sensor, cruise control with speed limiter, a fully disconnectable ESP, an 80W radio-CD with fingertip steering wheel-mounted remote control, MP3 playback and separate display, and connectivity for personal music players (iPod, MP3).

Source: Top Speed